Estes Park, CO or Leavenworth, WA?

Seeking the expert advice of the MP community! How do the crags around Leavenworth compare to the crags around Estes Park? How about the alpine climbing? Trying to decide where to spend my summer. Thanks!

I suppose I'm biased, but for me Estes blows Levenworth away. No question. For craggin, Lumpy over the nonsense at Levenworth. For Alpine, RMNP is way better than the Enchantments. As far as social aspects of the towns, both are sort of lame. Levenworth does have free camping, a great river to swim in, and Index isn't too far. Still, Estes hands down. These are just my opinions, so MPers, don't hate.

The bouldering in Leavenworth is amazing. The cragging isn't. Index is awesome. The Stuart range alpine is awesome, as is the nearby washington pass/north cascades. It does get horribly hot in the summer time here though, and with the way our winter is going...another burly fire season is looming.

Summer? Leavenworth - better weather in the high country (way less storms) with easier approaches. better camping situation.
Fall/Spring - Estes has better local climbing and better weather/temps.

Thanks for the responses! So, Estes has better cragging. The Cascades have fewer thunder storms. Would love some more input, especially regarding alpine climbing (accessibility, quantity, quality). Thanks!

Again, I biased, but I feel like Sundance Buttress at Lumpy is basically the same type of feature as most of the alpine around Levenworth. The Diamond on Longs is what alpine is all about. The lightning storms in CO are no joke.

I spent a week in Leavenworth a couple of summers ago and was not overly impressed. Tried to climb at Index but the rain chased us away. The best cragging of the trip was the Lower Gorge at Smith, which of course is not Leavenworth ... Estes Park no doubt.

Never been to Levenworth but live near and climb in Estes Park.

You could climb here the rest of your life and never run out of awesome climbs.

Long's Peak, Hallett, Sharkstooth, Petit Grippon and tons of lesser known but amazing alpine stuff

Lumpy Ridge, Jurrassic Park, Big Thompson Canyon, St. Vrain & an endless assortment of trad/sport/bouldering opportunities

Thunderstorms pretty common, especially in late summer but usually in late afternoon.

The town is pretty touristy/cheesey and not a lot of nightlife but not an unpleasant place to be.

Agreed...stay away from Leavenworth, It's horrible! they have a brewery and great climbing shop, an incredible river and world class granite, real glaciers and easy access to the rest of the cascades, Index is too close and the fresh fruit stands take all of my money. It's awful! Stay east!