10 Apr 2025 - Conditions Report: Owens River Gorge Rock Climbing

Wondering what conditions look like in the Owens River Gorge look like as the weather transitions to the summer heat? Is the Gorge still climbable or do you have to head for Pine Creek and higher elevations?

Well we got some beta for you.

Here's what our staff member, Colin, an AMGA-trained guide for Sierra Mountain Center, found when he went down to the Gorge to get away from the sun in the boulder fields:

Conditions Report:

Current As Of: 10 April 2025*

The weather is starting to get HOT! The summer heat seems to be arriving a smidge early.

What does that mean? 

Time to hunt for and stay in the shade when climbing so you don't cook (or melt)!

Knowing that the season for sport climbing down in the Gorge is coming to an end as summer approaches, my climbing partners and I (a party of three) wanted to get some more time in there before we head for the alpine all summer.

The forecast for Bishop had high temps in the low 80s that day so shade was a non-negotiable among us. One of the best spots in the Gorge to go when hunting for consistent all-day shade is the Upper Gorge since the gorge there is narrower with the same steep tall walls as you can see in the pics below. An added plus was the high density of routes in the Upper Gorge which is convenient when climbing with 3 or more persons so you can efficiently transition between routes.

Leaving town just after 0900, we arrived to the Upper Gorge parking around 0930, grabbed our bags, and headed down taking a leisurely pace. We chose to spend the day at the high-quality routes of Gorgeous Towers since it is north-facing and in the shade all-day essentially (with a brief stop at Holy Trinity for a cool-down since it had gone into the shade on the way out).

We dropped our packs at ~1000 and racked up. Even as a party of three, we ended up each getting 5-6 pitches in each (including the crag namesake Gorgeous) with a brief lunch break before heading out around 1700.

Throughout the entire day (even at the start), the temps in shade were definite "t-shirt weather" with at most maybe a light long-sleeve layer when belaying for comfort - though there were more than few people with no shirt or crop tops so pick the right choice for you. 

Even with it being a Thursday, there were 4-5 other groups in the same general area (including Triple Play Cliff with its large selection of moderates and Holy Trinity with its excellent selection of slightly harder climbs). But, given the density of quality routes, it was no issue at all (and even made for an enjoyable social atmosphere if that's your vibe!).

All in all, the Upper Gorge had really pleasant conditions and the high-quality rock with generally smaller crowds sweetens the deal even more so don't think twice about going if the boulders are too hot and the granite of Pine Creek isn't your thing. It is a great place whether wanting to explore a new part of the Gorge or just find the ideal conditions!

As always, don't hesitate to call us at store (760-873-7520) if ever in need of conditions information!

(If you need a guidebook for the Gorge, a fresh rope, or rental crash pads for your bouldering days while in town, we got you covered!)

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The old trestles along the Upper Gorge approach trail en route to Gorgeous Towers.

 

View of Gorgeous Towers and Triple Play Cliff from the base of Holy Trinity

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The gorgeous evening view of the Owens Valley looking south from the Upper Gorge parking area.

*All conditions reports are subject to change, increasingly so with each passing day since the observation(s) were made. They are provided as a tool to assist your adventuring, not to replace your own risk management and decision-making. No information in any trip or conditions report published by Eastside Sports should be considered definitive in its information or directive in its recommendation.