This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund,
and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates.
The 420s are a recently developed bouldering hot spot offering classic Camp 4 like problems on mostly free standing boulders. A subalpine setting makes this an ideal place to boulder in the summer. Most boulders are on state forest land. However, some of the more famous problems (Kingpin) are on private property. When in doubt ask a friendly Ft. Collins local. Camping is not allowed at the 420s.
Getting There
From Boulder, Go north to Ft. Collins on I-25. Get off on the exit after Prospect. Follow signs for CO 14 and US 287 until you get to the gas station at the entrance to the Poudre Canyon (there is a sign). Drive up for a ways (20- 30 miles.) Keep an eye out for Pingree Park . The 420s are 16 miles after Pingree Park. Park, go through gate on right side off road, and follow the trail (a 5-10 minute walk).
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for 420s:
Location: On Hank's Boulder, which is the first boulder along the dirt road as you approach the 420 Boulders. There is a single ponderosa pine at one end of the boulder which is used for the descent (it has huge nails pounded in it - I don't think climbers did it). Problem is alone on the white north face (pine tree directly to your right).Start with right hand on obvious sidepull in middle of face. May be hard to reach if you're short. Delicate footwork will get you onto the face. Move up ...[more]Browse More Classics in CO
Some more info/beta: the first area you come to is a single black boulder on the dirt road. The main 420's area is farther along in the woods. Just look for an obvious trail and walk for 3 minutes to the main area. The Kingpin area is even further down the trail. It's a 5 minute stroll past the main area. The Kingpin area is right next to some cabins. Please respect the No Trespassing signs and keep the noise level down. If you're bouldering, and can see the buildings, then you're probably too close.
Ummm... kind of screwed that up, we're working on an improvement to the site. In the meantime, just go to Contribute (left side navigation bar) and click on suggest a rock...
This area should be removed. It is part of the fort collins climbing world not boulder's. It is a disgrace to FC climbers to see it on this site. Its probably the worst description I ve ever seen anyways. Don't climb on kingpin!
Get off your high horse Anonymous Coward. Obviously not every route, or really any, belong to Boulder or anyone else. This site is great and has given useful, although sometimes inconsistent, biased, or incorrect beta to anyone who may want it. If you don't like it, don't use it. Or better yet, make a useful contribution.
Based on your ignorant and selfish philosophy you have just limited your own climbing opportunities by a billionfold becasue now you can't leave Fort Collins. Stay away from Vedauwoo, it belongs to Larmie. Don't go to Lumpy or climb in the Park, it belongs to the climbers in Estes. Stay away from the South Platte, and definitely don't go to Eldo.
Stop making Fort Collins climbers look like the very people you probably despise from Boulder for the same reasons you despise them. Actually, keep it up, the crags will be less crowded without you!
Sorry but this is the real world and there is no difference between Poudre, Hueceo, or Font.! They're all places that people have heard/read about and want to climb at. Unless you personally own the land and are trying to keep people off your property then I think your groundless provinciality is just a little trite. But yeah stay off Kingpin; it is on private property and the description to the area is absolutly lame!
If the description to Poudre is the worst you have seen - Fix it!
Poudre is not a private area anymore, it has gotten to much attention recently. Better that the access is clearly defined so that people know where they can go and where they can't.
Poudre Season is here and its access should be clarified and public.
I am sorry about the bad description. It would be great if someone fixed it. I thought the time was right to add this popular area particularly because the new Benningfield guide won't have it. Poudre to the people! jm
It's just amazing that you see stuff like the Poudre in Magazines and on the internet, it's really not that spray worthy. Anyways, perhaps it will be a good distration from colorado's real bouldering destination, for all you bumbles out there.
Please show this area a great deal of respect. Keep your voices down, DO NOT climb on the kingpin boulder and CLEAN UP YOUR TRASH. There are no ratings for any of the problems except cicadian rythm which is V14/15
Lost a pair of MADROCK Mugen shoes over the holiday weekend (7/5) at 420 boulders. Please email jennifer@e-vse.com if you found them. Many thanks, Chris.
I really wish that someone would make some sort of topo for this area that knows it best and post it on this site. I would do it but it would be the worst topo ever and I would get blasted. If anyone knows of one or can make one then you should email me at mtnman455@hotmail.com. Also, the rock here is the most wonderful thing.
WARNING: You must possess a "Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp" to climb in this area. A fishing or hunting license is also valid. It may be purchased at any Wal-Mart or at one of the roadside convenience stores along the Canyon. This is a State Wildlife Area (SWA) owned by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. See the following website for more information.
As we were leaving the 420 area several officials with the DOW informed us of the requirement. They had just posted a sign at the pull-off that states the requirement. Each climber must possess a stamp ie. one stamp is not valid for a group of climbers.
I'm looking for some beta on three boulders uphill from Hank's. The first has two established problems, near/on its downhill arete. The two boulders a little bit farther uphill seem to have seen human traffic (i.e. terraced rocks, some trails, debris, cleaned-up loose rock) but don't seem to have established lines.
The furthest of these three boulders is really tall, has two large scoop-like features on its downhill face, and a cave on the other end. Looks like lots of potential for problems way beyond me. The closer, undeveloped boulder only had one worthwhile face (its uphill face) and a good bit of lichen. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
I'm pretty sure that the arete on the first boulder you are talking about is the Poudre Arete and I have been told that it is V10-ish, and I'm not really sure about anything else up there.
I can only recall 2 climbable boulders directly up the faint trail from Hank's Boulder. I think there may be a small one in between them, but can't remember.
Here's some info, albeit slightly incomplete ... right to left across 1st and 3rd boulders.
1st (big) Boulder R->L Reach Out V6ish (FA: BS) Poudre Arete V9/10 (FA: HF - low start to Reach Out) Mr. Harry V4/5 (FA: PG) The Mase V4 (FA: PG - cheatstone) / V9/10/? (FA: BS - now broken)
2nd (small) Boulder nothing maybe???
3rd (big) Boulder R->L Unnamed V4 (FA: WL) Merv Griffin V6 sds (FA: KG - sds to Unnamed) can't remember V9/10 (FA: WL) The Liger V9ish (FA: BS)
I'm going from memory here ... I'm sure someone else can fill in the gaps if I don't do it first. THANKS FOR THE UPDATE Seth!!!
FWIW, there are about 3-4 boulders off-trail 30-100 yards east of these boulders with problems on them. Nothing tremendous, but most definitely a few warmupy things one can do for a change of pace away from the crowds. About 30 - 50 yards east, I recollect a east-facing tall slab with lots of slabtastic funness to be had and an arete/face on the south side of the same block. There is also a short and steep moderate problem on a short block just south of the aforementioned slabular block. About 75 more yards to the east is a block with maybe 3 or 4 nice crimpy but moderate lines on the south side. Bring pads for these as the landings on a couple of them leave a lot to be desired.
Definitely check out the guide as recommended above. There really isn't a gate, it's more like an opening in a wire fence and a very small pulloff the right-hand side of the road. You'll probably miss it the first time, but very soon after it there is a large pull off on the right hand side of the road. You can park there and walk back, or flip around and park a little closer.
Are you sure they no longer require a stamp or did someone just take the sign, thought it was wilderness designation (stamp required), but they do make some exceptions. Very cool if the restrictions are gone for anyone that does not possess a fishing license or the stamp by itself.
The new, comprehensive Poudre Canyon book is in stock. Get it off the Fixed Pin website or in any of the local shops. 100% of the money goes to Craig Luebben's daughter's college fund.
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