Where to climb in May

[Feanor007]

Thinking about heading West for a few weeks in May. Where is there a place that is 'in season' in late spring? Joe's Valley, Moab area, Red Rocks?

[Wes]

Thinking about heading West for a few weeks in May. Where is there a place that is 'in season' in late spring? Joe's Valley, Moab area, Red Rocks?

"The west" is a very, very big area. Just looking to get out there and climb anywhere? Moab will be getting kinda warm, esp. later in the month, but it and the creek are still doable for sure. Same with Bishop. A little bit early for Lander, but sinks will probably be fine, the Iris will probably still have snow. Eldo will be good.

A little bit more info would be better...

[Jeff]

Idaho would be good that time of year.

[KD]

im going to smith rocks in june. it's pretty nice inmay too. lot of good routes and cheap camping there.

[FujManiac]

Red Rocks is nice....

[Feanor007]

thanks guys,

I am actually just looking a getting out somewhere as school/work has kept me from climbing regularly for the last year. don't have the rack/crack skills for the creek, has anyone driven to bishop or smith? how hot is red rocks? is Joe's Valley worth the drive?

[Wes]

I have driven to bishop a couple times - it is far, far from Kentucky! The tablelands will be getting kinda warm by then, but the buttermilks and the higher elevation stuff should still be pretty good. And there is some pretty good sport climbing around there as well - clark's canyon and owen's river. If the pass is open, you are just a couple hour drive to the valley, so that is also an option.

If you want to spend a full day less driving (each way) then Vedauwoo might be a good idea. Weather could be a little bit hit or miss, but should be fine. And you are easy day trip from most of the front range climbing if you want a change of pace.

[dmw]

climbing here will be killer in May. Wait, never mind this is Montana. Like Wes said, Sinks canyon will be perfect and TenSleep (lower canyon areas) will too. Also, if you like bouldering, Cody is the place to go. Best time of the year. And it is only about a 27 hour drive from the Red.

[Lateralus]

If it's late May, Wyoming Might be ok.
Early May be prepared to sit in your car a lot.
As mentioned if it's sport climbing your after Sinks or Tensleep are the places that time of year. I've been snowed on several times at Vedauwoo in May.
Really hard to predict what the weather will do on any given day in Wyo that time of year. The weather in Colorado is usually a lot more stable then.
Red Rocks is kind of the opposite go there in early May in late May you'll get cooked. Not sure about the Utah crags haven't really been to any of them that time of year, Maple might be good then dunno

[robert birchell]

owens river gorge will be fine in may.
upper elevations will be snow covered.
i live in bishop and will be at the Red in may.