Alpine Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  40.2565, -105.6569 Map Page Views:  3,995,123. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Aug 11, 2005 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (2)  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 57° | 37° 66° | 37° 59° | 30° 63° | 37° 70° | 43°

Longs Peak Diamond and boulderfield.
Photo by Blit...

Description 

This "area" is for alpine rock climbing in Colorado. Alpine is probably the true "Mountain" Project terrain. These routes truly lie in the mountains. This is the terrain of the alpinist, the all-arounder. Generally here, you must be comfortable in whatever the environment will throw at you.

Alpine is the home of the marmots and pikas in the warmer months. In the colder months, this is the land of the frozen. Scattered here is the terrain in which weather, exposure, season, loose rock, ice, snow, route-finding, lightning, precipitation, and altitude can dramatically affect one's experience. All these climbs involve heights of at least 8,000 ft. With these factors comes increased risks but potential for increased rewards and memories that can last a lifetime.

Getting There 

These climbs cover the state from the Crestones, the Sangre de Cristos, the Mosquito Range, the Collegiates, the Sawatch, the San Juans, the Gores, the Front Range, the Elks, the Indian Peaks, the Mummy Range, the Never Summer Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park or whatever range you wish to include. Look high and you will find them. You will drive but then you will hike, since most all of these will require some extended approaches. Some will require overnight trips. Nearly all will have season considerations for the majority of climbers.

The Classics

Featured Route For Alpine Rock

North Face Ski Descent Mod. Snow R  CO : Alpine Rock : Torrey's Peak

Torrey's "Big Ol' Strip of Snow" is visible from Interstate 70 at the Bakersville exit. The Tuning Fork is another name that gets used. About 1,000 meters of ski descent are possible. Hike or skin the road from the Grizzly Creek road up to the Grays Peak Trailhead. If there is enough snow, leave the trail at the footbridge and skin up the creek (see map photo). After getting back on the trail at the wilderness sign, it's best to take off the skis and hike the trail from here to the Grays...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Alpine Rock Slideshow

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I was going to take a shot of Ken on the summit, h...	Quite the gathering of juveniles.	Kelso summit goat.
Clearing snowstorm in the Grenadiers.	Mt. goats.	One of a herd of mountain goats just above the Len...
Hi there, guys!	Monitor Peak's East face in the Needles in Colorad...	The Diamond.
La Platas sunrise from Mesa Verde, 9-2009.	Great bouldering up Lime Creek . . . I think.	San Juan Vista
Remote San Juan Wall.	To serve, to strive . . . .	BETA PHOTO: Grazing rights.
Leaving Beartown and Hunchback Pass . . . .