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Elevation: 5,671 ft
GPS: 38.57701, -107.73207
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 845,147 total · 2,991/month
Shared By: Steve Levin on Dec 31, 2000
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Wallace Hansen: "Several western canyons exceed the Black Canyon in overall size.... some are longer, some are deeper, some are narrower, and a few have walls as steep. But no other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness, and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison."

Getting There Suggest change

The Black Canyon of Gunninson is located approximately 250 miles SW of Denver.

South Rim: 15 miles east of Montrose, via U.S. Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347.

North Rim: 11 miles south of Crawford, via CO Hwy 92 and North Rim Road (closed in winter).

Permits

Suggest change
Per Black Canyon Ranger: in 2003, permits are required to climb. They are free.

The Flakes Area Unstable Rock

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Note that in 2018, a large feature 250-300 feet tall and probably 40 feet wide on average in the area of The Flakes moved substantially. There is a risk for massive rockfall!

145 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Black Canyon of the Gunnison Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 245
Escape Artist
Trad 7 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 159
Journey Home
Trad 5 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 274
Comic Relief
Trad 8 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b A3 R
 20
The Hallucinogen Wall
Trad, Aid 16 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 118
Checkerboard Wall
Trad 5 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 63
The Cruise
Trad 12 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13
 54
Cloaked Interpretation
Trad 8 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 271
The Scenic Cruise
Trad 13 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13
 43
Atlantis
Trad 16 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 85
Lightning Bolt Crack
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 32
Comic 2.0
Trad 8 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 92
Astro Dog
Trad 14 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 38
Stoned Oven
Trad 13 pitches
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 36
Tague Yer Time
Trad 15 pitches
5.13 8a 29 X- 30 E7 6c R
 8
The Free Hallucinogen Wall
Trad 12 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Escape Artist N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
 245
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 7 pitches
Journey Home N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
 159
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 5 pitches
Comic Relief N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
 274
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 8 pitches
The Hallucinogen Wall N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
 20
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b A3 R Trad, Aid 16 pitches
Checkerboard Wall N Rim Routes > Checkerboard Wall
 118
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 5 pitches
The Cruise N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
 63
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 12 pitches
Cloaked Interpretation N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
 54
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13 Trad 8 pitches
The Scenic Cruise N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
 271
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 13 pitches
Atlantis N Rim Routes > Prisoner of Your Hair…
 43
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13 Trad 16 pitches
Lightning Bolt Crack N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
 85
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
Comic 2.0 N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
 32
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad 8 pitches
Astro Dog S Rim Routes
 92
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 14 pitches
Stoned Oven N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
 38
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 13 pitches
Tague Yer Time S Rim Routes
 36
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Trad 15 pitches
The Free Hallucinogen Wall N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
 8
5.13 8a 29 X- 30 E7 6c R Trad 12 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Black Canyon of the Gunnison »

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