Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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38.98984°N / 119.90839°W |
Activities:
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Hiking, Trad Climbing, Bouldering, Scrambling |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation:
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7904 ft / 2409 m |
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Overview
Castle Rock is a prominent granite outcrop visible from the Stateline casino area of South Lake Tahoe. It is easy to reach, but requires a bit of technical climbing skill and comfort with exposure to reach the true summit. A slightly lower pinnacle offers equally astounding views of the Tahoe Basin.To reach the peak: travel down the "forest service road" 13N80, trending downhill and generally following the drainage of Burke Creek until the trail veers away from the creek itself. The trail then traverses below a granite capped hill and up through a small canyon between this hill and Castle Rock. The trail then levels out at a broad forested saddle. To hiker's left (roughly south, south east) Castle Rock rises through the trees. Sighting a smaller granite outcrop on its flanks is a sign to begin climbing uphill. You can choose a variety of climbers trails (marked by cairns) or simply travel cross country up the hill until Castle Rock is seen through the trees.
I only recommend climbing to the top if experienced with exposed summits and technical climbing. The crack can be protected really well, most parties choose to solo it. The smaller pinnacle to the right of the chute is a worthy objective for those with little to no climbing experience and offers great views
Getting There
From SF, Sacramento: travel up US 50 towards South Lake Tahoe. Continue past Stateline until Kingsbury Grade-hwy 207 is reached. Take a right on 207 and travel roughly 3 miles to a sign reading "Brautovich Park", turn left here on No. Benjamin Drive.From Carson City and Southern CA: Travel up US395 until Hwy 88 west is reached. Take 88 until it meets Hwy 207-Kingsbury Grade. Travel up 207 past Dagget Pass until you reach a sign reading "Brautovich Park", turn right here on No. Benjamin Drive.
From all directions: Continue up No. Benjamin drive until it BECOMES Andria Drive. Continue on Andria Dr until the road ends in a US Forest Service gate. The trailhead is another Forest Service gate downhill (southeast) from the roads end gate. Park here and begin the trek.
Brian Kalet - Sep 9, 2015 7:50 pm - Hasn't voted
NevadaThis peak is in Nevada...
bobpickering - Nov 11, 2021 7:23 pm - Hasn't voted
The Easiest RouteThe dihedral shown in three of the photos is billed as the easiest way to the summit. It is an obvious and tempting route, but there is an easier way up. Bob Burd documents this route in two 2014 trip reports. It is a class-three scramble to a point above and just right of the right-hand wall of the dihedral. From there, climb the east face of the east summit block. Start towards the right, work your way left, and then go right again. This route may look intimidating from below, but it’s not too steep, and there are many good holds. If it weren’t for the exposure, it might be class 3. It’s an easy class-three scramble over to the slightly higher west block.