Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 10,265 ft
GPS: 40.30491, -105.66457
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 289,872 total · 1,544/month
Shared By: Peter Beal on Oct 25, 2008 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Fragile Alpine Area DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change


Chaos Canyon, situated in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, has gained international status and become a household name in the world bouldering scene. Located at 10,000 feet, in a spectacular alpine setting, "Chaos" as it is typically known, has something to offer every kind of boulderer. With an abundance of highly featured, steep walls and overhangs, the boulders of both Upper and Lower Chaos have produced quality problems from V0 to V15. Little wonder that boulderers willingly brave the 45 minute hike to Lake Haiyaha or the hour plus to Upper Chaos Canyon.

However this bouldering paradise has not been without problems. This is a fragile area, where plant and animal life struggles to maintain a toehold in a severe and barren environment. User impact has been hard to avoid noticing over the past six or seven years. Some climbers have been too ready to disregard the wilderness ethic in favor of a group mentality that emphasizes doing the problem at any price. Offenses include stashing pads overnight, landscaping landings, destruction of vegetation, and so on. The rangers at RMNP are watching the situation and it is up to every single visitor, regardless of climbing ability, to act as a good steward of a vital living natural resource. Otherwise painful and restrictive regulations could change forever the freedom that many have taken for granted in the mountains.

If you want to add any problems in RMNP check to make sure there is not an area or boulder already set up that it can be added to. Do not add individual problems to this site unless there is an area and boulder description in place. If there aren't any, feel free to add them but make sure the descriptions are detailed and accurate for all three, area, boulder, and problem.

Getting There Suggest change

To get to Chaos Canyon, you must enter Rocky Mountain National Park, just west of Estes Park on US 36. This requires buying a $25 daily pass, a $35 7 day pass or $75 annual pass (as of June 2018). Nation-wide National Parks passes work here as well. Shortly after leaving the park entrance, you must turn left on Bear Lake Road to get to Bear Lake, following this road for approximately 10 miles to Bear Lake. Be advised that the Bear Lake parking lot is very full on summer weekends and you may have to turn around, park at the shuttle parking (prominently signed) and catch the free shuttle that runs along the upper Bear Lake Road. You can even catch a shuttle from Estes Park itself. Carpooling is highly recommended. Watch your speed. Rangers will ticket you.

From the parking lot, you can head up the trail for Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Lake Haiyaha. However, since you will likely be carrying a pad or two, sharing the trail with other hikers can be difficult. The trail is narrow and often filled with families and other groups. Please remember to be courteous and friendly to other hikers. If they ask what you are carrying, explain clearly and nicely and move on.

At Nymph Lake, head up another steep section for another 10-15 minutes to the junction for Dream and Emerald Lakes. For problems such as the Kine Traverse, head right to Emerald Lake. This is also the approach for Hallett Peak. For Chaos Canyon, head left and tackle a steep pair of switchbacks that lead up to beautiful views of Long's Peak before a short dip and the stream that leads to Lake Haiyaha. From the parking lot, you can expect to take between 30 and 40 minutes to get here, depending on fitness.

To access Lower Chaos Canyon, look on the right, from where the short descent ends, for an obvious trail heading right into the trees. Look under the section for Lower Chaos Canyon for specific directions from here. For Upper Chaos Canyon continue around the lake to a forested area where the trail ends. Continue heading uphill and west. Specific directions are found in the Upper Chaos Canyon section. Plan on at least an hour for the approach to Upper Chaos Canyon.

It is worth remembering that finding specific boulders in Chaos Canyon can be difficult (It is named Chaos for a reason!). The general drift of the canyon is east-west so as you look up the canyon you are looking west. To your right is north and left is south. This will be helpful on a number of descriptions.

A final point has to do with conditions. The season for Chaos Canyon runs from approximately June to October, depending on snow. Visitors to RMNP should be prepared for any kind of weather. This includes baking sun, cold drenching downpours, hail, and potentially lethal lightning strikes. The hike back down can be complicated by maneuvering across slippery talus which can lead to a twisted or broken ankle or worse. Make sure you have brought a warm waterproof jacket and plenty to eat and drink. Watch out for altitude sickness if you are coming from lower elevations.

Remember that the landings for 95% of the boulders is jagged talus, making a crashpad, preferably several, virtually mandatory. If you seriously injure yourself, you are 2.2 miles and 800' elevation from assistance. Bouldering alone here therefore can be a serious matter. Be very careful. It is worth noting that cellphone reception is generally good in Upper Chaos Canyon and spotty in Lower Chaos Canyon.

106 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Chaos Canyon Bouldering Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Chaos Canyon Bouldering

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5
 71
Middle Warm up
Boulder, Alpine
V3 6A
 85
Potato Chip Layback
Boulder, Alpine
V4 6B
 24
Potato Chip Pinch
Boulder, Alpine
V5 6C
 186
Autobot
Boulder, Alpine
V5 6C X
 5
Skyscraper
Boulder, Alpine
V5 6C
 27
Deep Puddle Arete
Boulder, Alpine
V6 7A
 79
Revenge
Boulder, Alpine
V6 7A
 32
Warm Up V6 (Autopilot?)
Boulder, Alpine
V6-7 7A+
 43
Interference aka Geeks of the In…
Boulder, Alpine
V7- 7A+
 83
Mikala
Boulder, Alpine
V7 7A+
 191
Tommy's Arete
Boulder, Alpine
V7 7A+
 64
Potato Chip
Boulder, Alpine
V8 7B
 53
Skipper D
Boulder, Alpine
V8-9 7B+
 25
Right El Jorge
Boulder, Alpine
V9+ 7C
 13
Deep Puddle Dynamics
Boulder, Alpine
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Middle Warm up Lower Chaos Canyon > Potato Chip Boulder
 71
V1 5 Boulder, Alpine
Potato Chip Layback Lower Chaos Canyon > Potato Chip Boulder
 85
V3 6A Boulder, Alpine
Potato Chip Pinch Lower Chaos Canyon > Potato Chip Boulder
 24
V4 6B Boulder, Alpine
Autobot Lower Chaos Canyon > Gobot Boulder
 186
V5 6C Boulder, Alpine
Skyscraper Lower Chaos Canyon > Skyscraper Boulder
 5
V5 6C X Boulder, Alpine
Deep Puddle Arete Lower Chaos Canyon > Deep Puddle Dynamics
 27
V5 6C Boulder, Alpine
Revenge Lower Chaos Canyon > Revenge Area
 79
V6 7A Boulder, Alpine
Warm Up V6 (Autopilot?) Lower Chaos Canyon > Bushpilot Warm Up Bou…
 32
V6 7A Boulder, Alpine
Interference aka Geeks of t… Lower Chaos Canyon > Geeks of the Industry…
 43
V6-7 7A+ Boulder, Alpine
Mikala Lower Chaos Canyon > Revenge Area
 83
V7- 7A+ Boulder, Alpine
Tommy's Arete Lower Chaos Canyon > Automator Boulder
 191
V7 7A+ Boulder, Alpine
Potato Chip Lower Chaos Canyon > Potato Chip Boulder
 64
V7 7A+ Boulder, Alpine
Skipper D Upper Chaos Canyon > Skipper Roof
 53
V8 7B Boulder, Alpine
Right El Jorge Upper Chaos Canyon > El Jorge Boulder
 25
V8-9 7B+ Boulder, Alpine
Deep Puddle Dynamics Lower Chaos Canyon > Deep Puddle Dynamics
 13
V9+ 7C Boulder, Alpine
More Classic Climbs in Chaos Canyon Bouldering »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading