Where is Lovers Leap?: Lovers Leap is a fine granite formation smack dab in the middle of California. Located on highway 50, just outside of the Lake Tahoe Basin, Lovers Leap is only an hour and a half from Sacramento and twenty minutes from South Lake Tahoe.
The Type of Climbing: Lovers Leap is mostly a traditional climbing area. Though full of stellar vertical crack systems, the area is great for beginners due to the horizontal dikes that run sideways across the walls. This creates jug sized hand holds located in the middle of many of the difficult crack climbing sequences. The climbing is comprised mostly of multi-pitch climbs of moderate length, usually between 3-5 pitches.
When To Go: The best season for Lovers Leap is during the Spring and the Fall. The middle of summer can be quite hot, though usually it is climbable in the shade.
Where to Stay: The best feature of Lovers Leap is the camping. Years ago, the Access Fund in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, built a free walk-in campground at the base of the formation. Please respect the posted rules of the campground for the Forest Service would love to make the site a fee access site. The Strawberry Lodge is also a great option for staying in a warm bed within walking distance to the crag.