Home - Climbing - Shakespeare Rock Area

The Vitals Surprisingly good rock in places. Beautiful colors. Not much selection of difficulty levels. Locals Tips Sams place for beers and pizza after. Dogs? Yes Links Shakespeare Rock on Mountain Project The Routes --Heavy Metal Wall (inside the roofless cave) OB's 5.10 (5.10c) View to a Thrill (5.10b) Rat Reach (5.11) Poison Arch (5.11 X) Bad Brains (5.11 R) Metallica (5.11b) Hurricane (5.6)* Gale  (5.6)* --Outside of Roofless Cave Tempest (5.6) Feline (5.11d) Deaf Leopard (5.11a R) The Mid-Evil (5.11c) Uranium Roof (5.10d) --Northeast Wall Unknown (5.10c) Unknown (5.8 35' to first bolt) Unknown (5.10?) Unknown (5.10?) --Shakespeare's Fin Ingratitude (5.8) *A family or group of owls have been roosting inside the roofless cave specificaly on these two routes. Please respect them (6/17/2013).

Shakespeare Rock and Fin

I lived in Tahoe for 20 years before visiting Shakespeare Rock, and I can't believe it. I started climbing last year and a GF said she thought it, and the fin, would both be to chossy for climbing. After she broke up with me, proving her wrong was one of the main reason for my visits and  subsequent returns and even development of the fin. The rock, while much of it is decomposed and chossy, is all beautiful. The bolted routes hold mostly solid granite (once above the arch in the roofless cave it is loose and often dangerous), although with often thin and crimpy holds. The roofless cave and the wall outside feature smooth hard granite with solid holds or none at all. The northeast wall feautres very sharp rock with at least one easier climb, though you will likely weant to protect the first several moves on the easiest. The fin offers toproping options only at this time. Except for the northeast wall, all of the climbs offer views of Lake Tahoe and excellent photo opportunities.

Shakespeare Rock Pictures

Directions - Shakespeare Rock is the prominent  lichen covered rock that is obvious on the left as you approach Lake Tahoe coming down Spooner Summit. Coming from South Lake Tahoe take Hwy 50 until you pass the Glenbrook turnoff. Pass the new (2012) stepped embankment on your right and turn at the dirt road just past it. Park (don't block private road) outside the gate. You will find the trail heading uphill at the gate. When you reach the main trail (5 minutes) take a right for the roofless cave. Head left along the side of the wall for the NE wall, or take the main trail to the left to head up to the fin. Exit the trail to the left where the trail turns back towards Shakespeare rock on the ridge (about 13 minutes from car).