Tahoe Ice Climbing

Tahoe Ice Climbing

This winter's cold and dry conditions so far have led to a number of rarely formed ice climbs around the Sierra and Lake Tahoe.  The waterfall below the Emerald Bay overlook was completely frozen and climbable for weeks. 

Ice climbing Eagle Falls

Eagle Falls Emerald Bay

Ice climbing Eagle Falls in Emerald Bay, photo by Paul

  Ice climbing in Desolation Wilderness seemed like a great idea and we could see "le gran blu" from highway 89 miles away.  The walk up to Snow lake above Cascade lake was gorgeous.  The ice skating on Snow lake looked really nice, but we were there to climb the wonderful "Le Gran Blu."

Hiking above Snow lake

Almost to the ice climbing

cruisin'  le gran blu, photo by Paul

Nearing the top of the ice climb 

To get to Snow lake and Le Gran Blu, we hiked past the fully fat Cascade falls.  Another beautiful piece of Tahoe ice climbing.

Cascade Falls

These ice formations are so amazing, even non-ice climbers can enjoy their beauty.