Garden of the Gods

Hey guys. Just a bit of fore-story, I'll be in Colorado Springs this summer for an internship at Ft. Carson teaching climbing and river guiding. I'll have quite a bit of time to do a lot of climbing since Garden of the Gods is a (I think) 30 minute drive from the base. So here's my question. What size nuts, cams, and pro in general works best out there? Anything I should know about the area before I get out there? I've heard there isn't any camping in GOG but that's not based on anything super credible I've heard. Also, if anyone is looking for a catch and someone to climb with let me know. I'll be there from May 12-August 12.

Typical rack up to 4" cams will be fine, plus some long slings.

You will have to sign up at the visitor center to climb there, and will have to avoid the place if there has been any rain within 24 hours. The rock is very soft and friable so be careful of your placements and remember to pull down and not out.

There is no camping in the park but there is a tent/RV campground right outside the park, but it's pricy.

rvcoutdoors.com/garden-of-t…

Most Garden routes are either bolted or have fixed pitons with the occasional cam for extra protection, so you really need a minimal rack as Goatboy points out. Also check out Red Rock Canyon south of US 24 with over 100 sport routes, North Cheyenne Canon, as well as great granite climbing in the South Platte and Elevenmile Canyon. Also Shelf Road north of Canon City...have fun!

Hi folks, I plan a visit of the garden in May 2016 and I'am looking for a information I could'nt found until now. On many pictures of the rocks you can see nice, massive towers and next to them a great needle / spire which is pretty amazing and thin. Is this one Montezuma Tower or is it a other one? If it is a other one, is it climbable? Or are there some nice formations where it is not allowed to climb on? Thanks for your help and greetings from Germany, Robert

RoHo wrote:Hi folks, I plan a visit of the garden in May 2016 and I'am looking for a information I could'nt found until now. On many pictures of the rocks you can see nice, massive towers and next to them a great needle / spire which is pretty amazing and thin. Is this one Montezuma Tower or is it a other one? If it is a other one, is it climbable? Or are there some nice formations where it is not allowed to climb on? Thanks for your help and greetings from Germany, Robert

GOG is objectively pretty shitty. Mostly bad rock, total tourist shit show, irritating rules and regs. You may want to consider other options.

Sure, without a picture its hard to understand me. So, on this one, there is a thin needle in the central , which looks nice: clarkvision.com/galleries/i…

This one attracts me. Are there more of that high, thin one like a Totem Pole in the US?

Thanks for your patience!

RoHo wrote:Sure, without a picture its hard to understand me. So, on this one, there is a thin needle in the central , which looks nice: clarkvision.com/galleries/i… This one attracts me. Are there more of that high, thin one like a Totem Pole in the US? Thanks for your patience!

Thank's Will!

If you are wanting to climb quality gear routes your best bet is South Platte and NOT Garden of the Gods. about an hour and a half from Ft. Carson I believe and infinitely better

MrZ wrote:If you are wanting to climb quality gear routes your best bet is South Platte and NOT Garden of the Gods. about an hour and a half from Ft. Carson I believe and infinitely better

Anything south facing in the S. Platte is climable in winter if the weather is good.

Cool. Thanks guys!

The Garden has some great climbing and some not so great climbing. Grey Rock is awesome and there are some real classics on other formations. It gets a bad reputation due to the run-outs and less than inspiring protection. The problems are all surrounding the politics that have driven very poor regulations. Bolts need to be placed, replaced, installed and new routes opened for equipping. More drama than congress.

goatboy wrote:You will have to sign up at the visitor center to climb there

Don't bother w/ GOG or Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Sandy junk show.