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No climbing forums, so I'm posting here.
Headed to Denver on Saturday and want to get the in the first climbs of the year. Looking for a crag or two within an hour of Denver that offers a decent selection of 5.7-5.10 top ropes (w/o building achors) for the gf and I. Suggestions?
Eldo, boulder canyon, north table mountain, clear creek, mountainproject.com
As much as I hate to type this. The sport park up Boulder Canyon if it is dry there. Local mags would have to confirm that.
Ditto on these. I've got a mountain of guidebooks too from when I lived over there and climbed all the time if you need them. Most of them are state wide or Front Range focused, not so many for over our way. You know where to find me if you ever want to use them.Quote:
Originally Posted by WindUpBird
Any specfic areas within those areas to look at? We did N. Table Mountain last year, but it was super greasy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo
Are you guys looking for bolts/fixed anchors or are you okay building your own? The ones I remember off the top of my head in Boulder Canyon are Nip and Tuck, Practice Rock, Brick Wall. Cob Rock has some nice routes but the creek crossing can be a bit sporty and you have to use your own gear to setup TR anchors. There are tons more but it's been awhile so I don't remember them all, I'm sure some of the FR people know better than me these days.
Would prefer fixed anchors....
Gotcha, I can look through some of the books I have to jog my memory tonight. I'm not as familiar with Eldorado and Table Mountain. I don't know what difficulty you are looking for but Boulderado is another good one for shorter, easy routes, but IIRC the anchors up top are build-your-own or some scrubby trees of varying quality. Like I said you are more than welcome to some of books I have, just let me know, and mountainproject.com is a good resource too.
Castlewood Canyon also has a lot of easy to set up top ropes close to Denver. The Dungeon comes to mind as a decent spot for you. Climbs are short though.
X2 on mountain project.com, use the 'best routes for you' feature. Stick to clear creek or bocan. Eldo is pretty much stiff trad climbing. Head up thou, rock will be dry (maybe some snow at the bases) so both will be crowded. Also, sport park requires some wading to get to. The creek will probably be running high this weekend
There are a few locations around Tunnel 2 in Clear Creak that you can top rope really easily, but there aren't a ton of routes. If you're interested in more details PM me and I'll let you know.
Leaning toward someting in Boulder Canyon or Castlewood right now. I use Mountain Project all the time, but sometimes it's easier to see which walls people suggest, then delve into MP for specifics.
It kills you to say something positive about Boulder, doesn't it? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by concretejungle
See if you can take a gander at this:
http://www.amazon.com/Front-Range-Ro.../dp/096570792X
Also, I'd say boulder canyon's many crags has you covered. I'd stay out of Eldo for your needs.
It kills me to recommend going to a chipped and drilled out bolt fest. I'd go to Rifle or Shelf but if you want easy and plentiful sport routes around the bubble. CCC is way too loud for me and Eldo's only good sport routes are fucking hard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno
In the summer I'd say Jurrasic Park in RMNP.
Pff Colorado is flat.
Sport Park, Boulder Canyon - Biggest choice of multiple routes from .8 to .10 all sport and easy to top rope, ratings are soft and usually one move wonders, Probably some wet spots after a rain or snow but drys out quick. Hit up the brewery or the Himalayan in Ned afterward for solid grub.
The Bihedral area, BoCo - Same as above without having to cross the river via tyrolian. Stay away after a hard rain or snow due to loose rock.
Umbrella Tree - Flagstaff Mt. Easy access, one toprope covers 5 or 6 climbs if you put in a directional, bonus points, lots of classic bouldering nearby and great views of the city.
Horsetooth is very nice for toproping in the difficulty range you are suggesting. If you are willing to drive 30 min more. I suggest Duncan's ridge. You'll need some webbing to set anchors on trees, boulders or bolts.
Table is greasy but easiest to TR, BOCO sport park is probably your best bet, although i feel like all the routes have to be led not TRed. Don't quote me on that. Castlewood is very easy to TR but also pretty damn lame.
The falcon climbing guides including Denver/Boulder are theClymb right now.
Full disclosure. That is an invite that would normally make me or whoever posted it money. Not likely in this case since your first purchase would have to be at least $25 and none of the guidebooks approach that.
was at boulder canyon sportpark today. most everything is dry except for the north facing stuff way up high.
casual route on longs peak is your best bet. if you have to ask then you shouldn't be on the rock