Cliff Dive Off Lake Tahoe's Rooster Rock

To get to Rooster Rock drive to D.L. Bliss State Park via Hwy 89 on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. Park at either the check in station or beach parking areas for a small fee. There are spaces at the park entrance or along Hwy 89 for free as well. 

Once in the park start hiking along the Rubicon trail. There is an access point clearly marked right after the check-in station that allows you to meet up with the trail, or you could start at the northern trail head at Calawee Cove Beach. The hike itself is an easy, beautiful walk next to Lake Tahoe's steep shoreline. Accessing Rooster Rock requires a bit more adventuring, however, as there is not an obvious trail. 

There are generally two ways to get to the rock. One is to boulder hop along the shoreline starting from easy shore access points near the beach. The other way is to take a short but steep hike leading off the Rubicon Trail. Finding this trail can be a bit tricky since it isn't clearly marked. There is a part along the Rubicon trail where it butts up right against the cliff rocks after crossing a bridge (if coming from the south). There is a chain rope on this section to ensure the safety of hikers. The Rooster Rock trail is on the north side of this section. About 15 ft after the chain rope ends there is an opening in the bushes and a steep path leading down to the water. This trail can be a bit slick due to the loose sand, so be careful. 

Once at lake level, there is still some boulder hopping required. Start heading south along the rocks and you will first pass a large diamond-shaped sloped rock. This is a fun, shorter option for those not quite ready for 35 ft. Next there will be a large rock that will seem like Rooster Rock but the landing is too shallow, and it isn't recommend to jump off. However, it does offer nice views at the top. About 200 feet beyond this rock you will find Rooster Rock which is characterized by having 3 distinct horizontal sections and smaller rocks on top making it seem like it has a mohawk. On the south side of the rock there is some graffiti confirming that it is Rooster Rock. The only way to climb the rock is to use one of the secure ropes put in place by jumpers past. These ropes are usually very secure thanks to the locals that frequent the area, but be sure to test them before attempting the climb.This is the hardest part of the trip because it requires some experience in bouldering, and a fair amount of daring. Once at the top you'll need a bit of a running start to make sure you clear the whole rock, but other than that it has an extremely deep landing and easy get-out points nearby. For those not willing to make the climb, there is an easily accessible ledge on the south side of the rock that is less than a 10 foot drop to the water. Once at the rock feel free to relax and eat lunch on one of the many large boulders. It's recommended to go mid-morning as it gets shady early in the afternoon and the water is quite cold.To leave is the same way you came in. Make sure to pack out all your trash when you leave in order to keep the area as clean as possible.