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: 6,031 ft
GPS: 40.2291, -105.34545
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 157,575 total · 580/month
Shared By: Jesse Ryan on Nov 27, 2001
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: No longer closed! DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Also located west of Lyons, this area is cousin to the South Saint Vrain (SSV). Like the SSV there are both trad and sport routes on a variety of features. Rock quality varies from superb to choss. One of Buttonrock's centerpieces is the classic River Wall. This steep wall has steep cracks alongside of both technical and pumpy sport routes. Well-known climbers from Boulder and around the Front Range developed this area in the last three decades. The best climbing season is whenever it isn't precipitating, possibly year-round as the aspect of the formations is diverse. River Wall in particular has midday sun, but is often chilly due to breeze off the river. The Falcon guide to Lyons area covers both Buttonrock and the SSV.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive to Lyons on CO 66, this can be reached via US 36 from Boulder. Continue past the junction in Lyons of US 36 and CO Hwy 7 (CO Hwy 7 takes one to the SSV) for about 3.7 miles. Look carefully on the left for a sign for Shelly's Cottages. Turn left here on County Road 80. One half-mile on the left are Entryway Slabs, another tenth of a mile are Buick Rocks and Hitler's Sex Life. About 2.3 miles further one reaches a steel gate and parking. One can hike along the road to reach River Wall, Old Yellar, and other formations.

Dogs not allowed as of 5/15/23

Suggest change

Per TheYooper: a sign at trailhead states dogs will no longer be allowed at Button Rock Preserve starting 5/15/23.

57 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Longmont Reservoir Area (aka Buttonrock) Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Longmont Reservoir Area (aka Buttonrock)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 56
Livewire
Trad, Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 179
Introducing Meteor Dad
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 5
Where Eagles Die
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 61
Escape from Alcatraz
Sport, TR
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 24
Pocket Hercules
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 273
Redneck Hero
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R
 44
Neurosurgeon
Trad
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 7
Pretty Blue Gun
Trad
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 35
Big, Big, Monkey Man
Trad
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 46
Old Yellar
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 53
New Horizon
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 7
Hero to Zero aka H2O
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 21
Brother From Another Planet
Sport
5.13b/c 8a+ 29 X- 30 E7 6c
 32
Le Diamant E'ternal
Sport
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a
 5
Aquadarius
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Livewire River Wall II
 56
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad, Sport
Introducing Meteor Dad River Wall II
 179
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Where Eagles Die Bullet
 5
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Escape from Alcatraz River Wall II
 61
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport, TR
Pocket Hercules River Wall II
 24
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad
Redneck Hero River Wall II
 273
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Neurosurgeon River Wall II
 44
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R Trad
Pretty Blue Gun Bullet
 7
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
Big, Big, Monkey Man River Wall II
 35
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad
Old Yellar Old Yellar Dome
 46
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
New Horizon River Wall II
 53
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Hero to Zero aka H2O River Wall II
 7
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Brother From Another Planet River Wall II
 21
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Le Diamant E'ternal River Wall II
 32
5.13b/c 8a+ 29 X- 30 E7 6c Sport
Aquadarius River Wall II
 5
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Longmont Reservoir Area (aka Buttonrock) »

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