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Family Friendly Crags

Original Post
Scott Hansen · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Jul 2001 · Points: 380

Where do those who climb with kids go and why? We have 4 kids ranging in ages from 13 to 1 and we seem to wind up at the same places every season. So I'm looking to broaden our horizons to other kid friendly venues primarily in Colorado but also within about a day drive of Denver so WY, UT & NM. Places with a mix of grades at or below 5.11, trad, sport or both, would be great. Thanks!

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

The Lower West Side of Devils Head, Elevenmile, Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Penetente.
Reasons would be:
short, easy approaches
no serious ledges
small chance of rockfall
routes from .8 to .11

Matt Roberts · · Columbus, OH · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 85

Scott,
Unfortunately, I don't have any good suggestions, we spend 1-2 weeks in Estes Park each summer, and always enjoy Jurassic park, but my kids are 10-14. If you don't mind my asking, where are your 'same old places'? I would like to change things up.

Matt.

PTZ · · Chicago/Colorado · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 490

Agree with Elevenmile. Great place and has place for kids to play in river and stuff.
Penetente may have snakes, spiders and other creepy crawleys that can be bad for little kids. Turkey rock may be good also.

P.K. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5

Not exactly a destination, but Camp Hale just past Redcliff has about 50 sport routes about 70% of which are 5.10 and under. More than enough to keep you busy for a weekend and plenty of good camping to found....

Jonny d · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 40

You might try the Ironclads. Same reasons Mike gave.

David HH · · CR, CO · Joined May 2006 · Points: 1,695

For sport climbing Penitente can't be beat.

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880
DavidH wrote:For sport climbing Penitente can't be beat.
For what its worth, this is a picture from Penetente.

Now, I spend too much time at Castlewood and thus am really skittish about snakes, having seen a couple hundred out there through the years. And in all fairness I have not seen one at Penetente. But those high shrubs lining the paths tightly to the walls give me the creeps, much less having toddlers in tow. But all in all Penetente is a fun place.
Travis Nelson · · Spokane Valley · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 20

City of Rocks near Almo, Idaho. I haven't actually been with the kids (Due to proximity) but I want to. It's similar to JTree in that it's mostly flat with many large rock formations.

It has nice camping, flat approaches, flat bases for the climbs, and many good single pitch climbs.

Scott Hansen · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Jul 2001 · Points: 380

@Matt, We mostly end up at the Ironclads since it is so easy to approach, is not cliffy and has not snakes. Other ares we hit are Shelf (avoiding the Bank campground), Turkey Perch and various bouldering areas like the Upper Boulderfield near Independence Pass.

We have been avoiding Castlewood precisely because of the snakes.

Scott Hansen · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Jul 2001 · Points: 380

What about smaller crags like Nip and Tuck in Boulder Canyon? Anyone know of any others? I'm trying to compile a solid list.

Most snake-free venues seem to be higher elevations making them snowy or cold in spring.

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

Try the Lower West Side of DH. It gets a lot of sun w/out getting too hot. Lots of moderate and really fun routes.

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

Scott,

I took my daughter up to Camp Hale last summer. The "Practice Wall" was awesome. Easy routes, bolted anchors and the Forrest Service has an outhouse there and it wasn't covered with explosive diarrhea. Down side was I showed up to a real shit show with Outward Bound. They had a group of about 50 and every route had ropes hung whether there were climbers on them or not. I also saw them brow beat some terrified teenage girl into climbing something she did not want to. She was visibly shaking and crying, not a pretty site. You can squeeze a few more routes in between the bolted ones with gear TR anchors. Bring tricams. If you camp there be sure to make yourself aware of the areas were they have unexploded ordinance. Not really a big deal, lots of signs, easy to avoid unless you are looking for trouble.

The spillway campground in 11 mile would be unbelievable for a family. You can drive to the more established climbs or walk right through camp to some easy 5.0 - 5.2 multipitch and a steeper toproping wall. If you get camp site 002 you will have bouldering problems surrounding your picnic table. There are some awesome hiking trails right out of this campground as well, gotta checkout Baboon Rock.

P.K. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5

Re: Camp Hale

There is a guide available from the same people that put out the independence pass guide. The practice slab is good for top roping, but there are plenty of crags down valley and across the valley that are secluded. Also if you are up there check out the free camping up homestake road and a fun little sport crag just after you turn homestake road itself.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs is excellent for young children in some areas of the park. These walls have flat, sandy areas right next to the trail to belay from. Very few catus in the park also make it nice for little ones. I hope to bring my 3-year-old out there this weekend, weather permitting.

Mia · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2011 · Points: 0

- Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills is great for kids (and adults). And there is lots to do for families on rest days.
- We love Maple Canyon. We even took a jogging stroller to some of the crags.
- Devil's Head has some good climbing with kids and really fun camping for kids. - Lots of boulders to play on.
- Lots of areas at Shelf Road are also great for kids especially if they are a little bit older:
Kids swinging at Shelf Camping at Sand Gulch is safer for the little ones. Lots of fossils can be found.
- El Rito, NM has fun easier climbs for kids and good routes for adults.
- Ten Sleep, Ice Box area is great for kids; short approach, ice caves to explore, easy climbing for kids, good routes for adults.

Jon Lachelt · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Feb 2007 · Points: 0

Jurassic Park (Lily Lake) in Estes is great for kids.

  • 15-20min hike (moderately strenuous) in from the parking lot
  • RNMP maintained pit toilets at the parking lot
  • fun area to explore (with supervision for the younger ones since they can easily walk up on top of a cliff where there is some loose rock)
  • true to the name it feels rather pre-historic
  • nice view of Longs Peak
  • predominately single-pitch sport, a few at every grade from 5.12 down to 5.6. Coloradoddity (95' of 5.6) is perfect for the beginning leader.
  • two short 5.7 broken cracks for a taste of trad


No mention of Vedauwoo so far.
I only have a bit of experience there myself but I know many people, climbers and not, that love to go there with their kids.
  • camp sites
  • picnic areas
  • toilets
  • LOTS of area to explore - long and short hikes
  • predominately trad, some mixed
  • more climbing than you can cover in many trips at all grades
Scott Hansen · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Jul 2001 · Points: 380

Vedauwoo has been one of my family favorites too. I had not been there in a year or two until I went last fall and nearly broke into tears at the sight of all the dead trees. Then the wind kicked up and all those widow makers started to sway...

Scott Hansen · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Jul 2001 · Points: 380

And another nice place are the crags in the Naturita area. Good for families who want some desert stone with a mix of trad, sport and good bouldering.

rj-n-foco · · Ft Collins, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 20

Leave 'em at home!!

There's no place for kids at the crag, peeing on ropes, digging holes, poopin' everywhere, barking(crying) all the time, diggin thru packs for food and turning the crag into a daycare! I goto the crag to get away from all that "family business". Goto the gym, its safe and air conditioned!

Oh wait....that was supposed to be about dogs at the crag! oh well, same difference ;-)

David HH · · CR, CO · Joined May 2006 · Points: 1,695
Mike Lane wrote: For what its worth, this is a picture from Penetente. Now, I spend too much time at Castlewood and thus am really skittish about snakes, having seen a couple hundred out there through the years. And in all fairness I have not seen one at Penetente. But those high shrubs lining the paths tightly to the walls give me the creeps, much less having toddlers in tow. But all in all Penetente is a fun place.
I saw this Mike and the first thing I thought of was Castlewood! Yes, passing thru the high shrubs can feel like a scene out of Jurassic park. You're never going to be able to eliminate 100% of the risk it's just a place my wife and I alone can manage 2 kids and climb.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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