Phantom Spires Rock climbing 170 routes in crag

A hillside above highway 50 covered with tiny crags and boulders, and a few main towering spires of granite.

Amongst a barren rock field you will find many traditional routes, along with some more difficult sport and mixed routes in an excellent, yet unsheltered setting that's almost eerie at times. Watching other parties climb is easy, since there are absolutely no trees surrounding the spires.

You can climb here from late fall to early summer before it gets too hot, and even in the winter on heavy drought years.

The black and white granite of The Phantom Spires will remind you of Yosemite, but like most Tahoe granite, isn't as glasslike.