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Best bouldering in the state?

Original Post
mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

I'm taking a week long solo trip to the great state of Colorado. I'll be flying in on the 4th and that's about where my plans end. This is a bouldering only trip and I was curious what the best places to visit would be.

KevinRTR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 0

The Park, Evans, Newlin, Indy Pass will keep you busy

Mathias · · Loveland, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 306
google.com/url?sa=t&source=…

Maybe not the "best" but certainly cool! A friend put me onto this a few weeks back.
mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

Yea it might be a little chilly to hit that area. What about guidebooks? Any worth buyying?

Mathias · · Loveland, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 306

I'll pm you.

Andy Nelson · · Fort Collins, Colorado · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 336

I just responded to your question on the gear forum about RMNP guidebooks. Although probably not the "best" - assuming you are flying into Denver, areas in and around Fort Collins might be worth checking out because they will not get as chilly yet as the high mountain areas. These include Rotary Park & Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park, and Carter Lake. If the weather is good, the 420 Boulders in the Poudre Canyon are great too. The Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition also has a number of free guidebooks you can download. Best of luck.

KevinRTR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 0

It is perfect conditions in the first week of October in the high mountain areas.Iif forty and fifties is too chilly, then I would be at Newlin Creek. Spots like Flagstaff, Flatirons, Horse Tooth, Carter Lake etc... are cool and historic but they are definitely not the "best". If you want the "best" go to the mountains, not the foot hills.

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

I thought it would real cold down there. Four ties and fifties is perfects

goatboy · · Nederland, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 30
KevinRTR wrote: Spots like Flagstaff, Flatirons, Horse Tooth, Carter Lake etc... are cool and historic but they are definitely not the "best". If you want the "best" go to the mountains, not the foot hills.
Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

I've always been partial to Redcliff. Tons of moderate height granite boulders scattered among the aspens. Then go down to Mango's for the best fish tacos in all the land.

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/the-klettergarden/105839124

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

I'm going to try and stay in rmnp. Also really want to check out flagstaff.

The last three days of my trip will be spent in joes valley though.

I am not a real strong climber so I'm not looking for any real hard projects. I don't want to spend the entire trip working four problems. I'll mostly stay around v5 and lower just so I can get a lot in. So all the areas all the superstars love will probably not cater to that.

goatboy · · Nederland, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 30

If you are going up to RMNP stop by Big Elk Meadows.
The damage done by the fires 13 years ago are minimal and the camping is casual.

There are more boulders and climbs there than posted here and it's a worthwhile spot to check out for a half day or two.

mountainproject.com/v/big-e…

Another good spot with a few great boulders is Olive Ridge Campground located off hwy 7 past Wild Basin turnoff. The boulders are right in camp just park at the restroom and walk around, they are easy to spot. If someone is camping near them, ask if they mind if you climb around and they probably will not have a problem with that

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
goatboy wrote:If you are going up to RMNP stop by Big Elk Meadows. The damage done by the fires 13 years ago are minimal and the camping is casual.
Not sure if you've been up there, but I'm pretty sure the floods laid waste to the area. It was all unsupported burn territory, and the road was also heavily damaged.

Probably not a great destination, but maybe you know more than I do.
goatboy · · Nederland, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 30

^^^ Ahh good point, I have not been back up there since the floods hit.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

From what I've seen driving down 36 and the rumors I've heard...no bueno. I wouldn't be surprised if half those hillsides turned into massive mudslides since it was mostly dirt and ash from the fire. Shame too as it's a cool bouldering area for sure.

Gonna be a long time before the FR picks up all those pieces.

KevinRTR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 0

The turn Big elk meadows is a giant construction sight for the road work on 36 i wouldnt be suprised if they only allow residents up the road. Hwy 36 is completly open to Estes. Make sure you stop by eds cantina for some post climbing grub and suds while your up there.

If I was wanting to slay a bunch of easy and moderate boulders and was already planning on going to joes you may just want to go to joes. The bouldering in the park is unbeatable but you hike so far; everything so spread out and hard to find. ( its called Chaos for a reason) You may just want to hit emerald lake for a day. then drive around the park and do day hikes, See some fall colors. Then hit joes and climb countless problems in a close proximity.

Just a thought. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Ed's Cantina's happy hour was surprisingly decent. At least i think it was HH.

Coming back down from McGregor slab the other week we ate, drank beers, did shots (well mostly me) and my bill seemed way cheap.

Plus the food is sold, tap selection damn good, bartenders are nice, and their are guidebooks to plot and scheme over.

+10

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

I'm not much of a drinker. I might swing by for some grub if it's good though.

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

I'm going to post about a partner in the partner forum soon. If anyone wants to meet up let me know. I'll post the perks in the partner section.

First Track Jack · · Evergreen, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 140

I do not go bouldering often, but if you are close to Denver, Three Sisters In Evergreen is a popular spot at about 8000'. Excellent Mtn biking too.. It has the routes on MP...

This is on MP too.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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