Owens River Gorge

Cut deep into the volcanic tableland north of Bishop, this dramatic desert canyon offers miles of vertical to gently overhanging welded tuff sport climbing. The climbing is characterized by sustained face routes, technical edge pulling, and crack lines split across smooth, water-grooved walls. Sun and shade options abound depending on the specific sector and time of year, making it a premier winter destination, though summer temperatures in the canyon bottom can be extreme. Routes generally range from single-pitch warm-ups to sustained multi-pitch outings requiring a full rack of quickdraws and a standard rope.