Colorado (Three Sisters Park) vs Joe's Valley

Hi guys,

My girlfriend and I are travelling to US this late August to early July. We were originally planning to head to Bishop, but a group of friends who came back last week told unit was already starting to get too hot. Therefore, we're looking at alternative locations such as Joe's Valley (Utah) or Colorado (Three Sisters Park and the likes).

Just a couple of questions : what are the average temperatures for the above places during the said period? My research shows that the mean is around 80F, which should be better than Bishop in summer. Are both locations at the same altitude? I know 3 sisters is around 7000ft, but I'm not too sure about Joe's (around 2000ft?).

Also, any recommendations for accomodation would be great! We don't mind camping if the local climate is nice and cooling (doesn't rain all the time).

Any info/recommendations on the following would also be appreciated!
- guide books
- crash pad rentals
- any other possible areas worth considering (we climb up to around V7/8, maybe would like to project 9s,10s).

Thanks in advance!

The currently available (in print) guide to Joe's is ok, thought not great, and will provide you with directions to most areas, though the route descriptions, grade consistency and overall quality of information beyond general directions is pretty hit or miss.

It will certainly be warm in July, its currently holding in the mid 70's, so 80's or hotter is probably a good bet for July. You can escape this by choosing where and when you climb somewhat, though much of the climbing there is fairly exposed so shade can be limited.

I think crash pad rentals are available through the Food Ranch in Orangeville for Joe's. Where are you flying in to? If possible, the best bouldering (probably) for summer months in North America is in Squamish B.C., alternatively the bouldering around Lake Tahoe might be worth looking into (I don't have much personal experience with it).

Hi! Thanks for the reply.

My girlfriend's work is flying her into Texas, so we're probably going to meet up in Los Angeles (where tickets are cheaper). I've considered Squamish, too, but we thought climbing in the US would fit into our travel plans better. I'd probably do a little more research on Squamish, although my previous attempt gave me limited info (the routes don't seem to be very well documented. I may be searching for the wrong stuff). I'd probably go check out Lake Tahoe as suggested, too.

P.S. I noticed I wrote late August to early July. Lol. What the hell was I thinking. I meant late August to early September.

If i were trying to find the best bouldering spots in that time period i would stay clear of joes and three sisters. First off three sisters is not a destination spot although it has the luxury of being close to a city (denver). If it was me i would be trying to find the highest elevation possible. if starting in la look into the tramway boulders and black mountain, then if you wanted to leave ca hit tahoe on your way to colorado once in co i would be at mt evans, RMNP, and independence pass. i would not bother with anything else unless bouldering in sweltering heat is your thing. There is camping close to Mt evans, and on independence pass. The camping int RMNP needs reservations for the camping in the park proper. If you get bored there is also some good bouldering around the town of crested butte called the skyline boulders but evans and the park (rmnp) should keep you busy for two months. Just be ready to hike when your in colorado the approaches are no joke but you get used to them after a while. As far as pad rentals Denver bouldering club, Neptune mountaineering are your best bet or make a post in the rocky mountain region forum and ask to borrow or rent from a local odds are they would show you around. Feel free to hit me up if you make it to the front range although i can't get out as much as i would like (who does?) i could find/make time to show someone around.

Kevin

Joe's was pretty miserable in May. I imagine it's very miserable in July

JOes is NOT a summer destination. Try RMNP or independence pass.

yeah, three sisters is a good place if you are close but its not really a destination.

Joes is hot really hot in July and August but it can be done if you climb early in the morning or in the evenings. During the day go swim up at the reservoir. Bring sunblock!!

Wow. Thanks for the replies, guys! Especially Kevin's Ling post. Really helpful.

So it seems like I should either head to RMNP, independence pass or even squamish (although it's pretty far away).

Actually how bad is Joe's or the other areas? Like temperatures above 90s with no shade?

Boon wrote:Actually how bad is Joe's or the other areas? Like temperatures above 90s with no shade?

Joe's doesn't really have shaded walls, only shaded sides of a boulder. But the sandstone color & dry desert climate makes it a lot hotter than ambient temps would suggest. I lucked out & drove there right after a mid-May snow storm, even then it started becoming hot on the 3rd day.

Boon wrote:Wow. Thanks for the replies, guys! Especially Kevin's Ling post. Really helpful. So it seems like I should either head to RMNP, independence pass or even squamish (although it's pretty far away). Actually how bad is Joe's or the other areas? Like temperatures above 90s with no shade?

The nature of the climbing at Joe's calls for cool days. It will be way too hot to get anything done in July. Tahoe was pretty hot in May, but I am a bit picky about granite. If I were picking destinations for July or August, I would be in the alpine zones of CO or starting to think about Squamish. If you are meeting on the west coast anyway, I would just go to Squamish.

Try looking at the alpine rock section in Colorado and find Mt. Evans bouldering. That could keep you cool if you're planning on coming to co..... It seems to me you could head north from LA and either boulder/ climb the redwood coast or..... Go to Tahoe for a few days, suss it out than head north. You can stop in Washington and send in coolerish temps and finish in cool Squamish.

Joes is going to be really, really hot:

weather.com/weather/wxclima…

...the *average* high for the day in July and August is about 90F. It isn't a summer destination.

Yikes. I just saw the record high.. it's close to a 100. >.<

I'm planning to visit Lake Tahoe - it seems like they're having a festival or carnival of some sort on 30th Aug. The only thing that's stopping me is the travelling (quite a bit of distance from Squamish or Colorado).

Anyway I'll probably drop Joe's off my list. I'll check out the other places suggested.

Cheers!

matt c. wrote:yeah, three sisters is a good place if you are close but its not really a destination.

I actually thought it was a tongue in cheek thread. BUT if you are in the Boulder area there is tons of bouldering within an hour. Morrison, RMNP, Estes, Lyons, historic flagstaff. You'll stay busy.

There used to be a site "frontrangebouldering.com" but it looks like it went dead.

Having bouldered in all of the areas mentioned and if you're traveling as far as it sounds; I'd put all my effort into making the trip to Squamish.

Yeah, it's a bit of a haul from L.A. but if you're meeting in L.A. anyway about the only thing "close" to you will be the Bishop area.
Squamish or Rocky Mnt National Park will have the most pleasant temps by far.

And Squamish is just flat out a way better overall bouldering area than the Park... okay that's personal opinion, but you won't be disappointed if you go.

If you are flying into L.A., try the stuff at the Tram Way mountainproject.com/v/the-t…

I would also recommend a trip to the boulders in Tuolumne Meadows…you will not be disappointed.

In between the two places, hit up Bishop in the early mornings or at night, Rock Creek in-between bishop and mammoth. There are also some sweet spots around the lakes above the town of mammoth lakes.

Go up sonora pass and have a look around…tons of potential.

Tramway and black mountain sounds like good spots to visit from LA - I'll probably hang around the area and wait for my jet lag to subside before taking on a road trip. It's good for me because I didn't want to spend too much time on the roads - I want to be on the boulders!

I'm planning to do Tramway and/or black mountain for a couple of days, and then more days in Castle Rock or Lake Tahoe (I have a friend in SF).

Does anyone know how anal Delta is with crash pads? Officially they only allow 1 piece of luggage, but I've checked in my luggage + crash pads on other airlines without any problems. I don't want to be caught off guard at the airport.