RRC Archives

I am heading to the Boulder area this summer with my son for a week of hiking and climbing. Our plan it to knock out 3 14,000' peaks and then do some climbing. We will most likely be climbing in the Flatirons and around Boulder Canyon. If there are other places we should go, we are open for suggestions.

I'm looking for some information on specific routes to try that fall in the range of 5.8 - 5.10 range (sport).

Thanks for any help/advise you can provide.

GWG

Clear creek canyon has some good climbing in that diffuiculty range and is also close to boulder.

Which 14ers are you planning to do. Any that also involve rock climbing?

We look to do Mt Massive, Torrey's and Gray's Peaks. No climbing necessary for those, just hiking. Part of this is to prepare for a small group that's coming out the following week that wants to do some high elevation hiking.

I'll have to check out Clear Creek Canyon.

Thx

You may want to avoid the "Boulder Canyon Sport Park" - it has the grades you're looking for, but the climbs can be crowded together and it's often crowded overall.

If you have even a minimal rack, I would massively reccomend the main (5.4) route on the Third Flatiron. Super easy and super fun. If you're willing to stick your neck out slightly more, Bastile Crack (non-sandbagged 5.7) at Eldroado canyon is easily one of the best routes I've ever done. Totally worth the wait in line! Eldorado has quite a few additional great easy trad climbs.

Dream Canyon is in the vicinity of Boulder Canyon and has a variety of sport and trad, but it's a nude sunbathing area (and in particular, a gay, pick-up, nude sunbathing area) so, uh, that might be a bit too interesting for your son. (as far as I know, no one will be 'making whoopee' out on the rocks. We only saw naked people irradiating themselves.) But, I should say that finding your way in and finding the climbs can be difficult.

Clear Creek Canyon has some fun easy stuff. The cliffs above Golden are OK, but you'll cook in the sun during the summer.

Even if you don't slog up to a peak there, Rocky Mountian National Park is spectacular! You can do a fairly easy hike at Bear Lake (?) and see the north face of Hallett.

yeah definitly stay away from the sport park...that place is a pile, just a bunch of chipped routes that seem way easyier than their grades. Went there once, will never go there again!

check out www.climbingboulder.com there you can look at the guides for clear creek and table mtn..