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: 5,184 ft
GPS: 38.9361, -108.48619
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,851,677 total · 10,544/month
Shared By: Matthew Seymour on Oct 15, 2009 · Updates
Admins: Jesse Zacher, Bradley Mark Edwards, Nick Reecy, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

The climbing along Nine Mile Hill exists on the Burro formation. Although not as solid as its famous Wingate brother, the Burro is certainly capable of moments of brilliance. Several cliffs along Nine Mile Hill have been developed with both traditional crack climbs and bolted sport routes. However, the main draw along Nine Mile Hill is bouldering.

The boulder fields along CO-141 extend the entire nine miles from the Gunnison river to the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau, at an average width of over a mile. Now that is a lot of boulders! It is true that a lot of these boulders don't contain climbable rock; for every climbable boulder there are perhaps 5 unclimbable boulders. But in an area where the boulders literally number in the thousands, that leaves about (hmmm lets see [several X 1,000 X (1/6)= uhmmm]) a lot of climbable rock. What's more, a lot of those boulders that have routes have amazing routes.

The earliest known bouldering in this area was developed in the late '80s and early '90s by the climbers heading out to the main canyon. Many areas were developed throughout the '90s, and there were a few chipping incidents whose offenders shall go nameless here. Many of the classic areas were explored and developed by the reticent hardman Matt Lisenby and friends throughout the late '90s and early 2000s. Many more strong climbers have developed boulders as of late. Several of them have posted these areas to this database, and I will let them tell their own stories.

The land in the Nine Mile Mile area is all BLM, and few regulations are in place. There is no camping in the East Creek Day Use Area. Once you pass the cattle guard at the base of the real hill there is legal at large camping with the usual 14 day limit. Please help keep this area free of regulation by being respectful of this great resource.

Getting There Suggest change

From Grand Junction, Colorado, head south out of town on US 50, towards Montrose and Delta. After traveling about 9 miles south of Grand Junction, turn right on CO-141, toward Gateway. This intersection is located in the small town of Whitewater.

The Nine Mile Hill area begins about 1 mile past this intersection.

Driving directions to crags are generally measured from the intersection of CO-141 and US 50.

2,267 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Nine Mile Hill Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Nine Mile Hill

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2 5+
 39
Sage Truth
Boulder
V2 5+
 35
The Sun Drains Heavy
Boulder
V4 6B
 47
Knife Wrench!
Boulder
V4 6B
 17
Crack Cave
Boulder
V4 6B
 29
Awoman
Boulder
V5- 6C
 121
Mark of Zorro (aka Route 2)
Boulder
V5 6C
 28
High Five
Boulder
V5 6C
 43
Punchdance
Boulder
V6 7A
 76
Chinese Algebra
Boulder
V6 7A
 41
Goodbye Blue Monday
Boulder
V6 7A
 31
C.O.G
Boulder
V6+ 7A
 20
Clydesdale Manimal
Boulder
V8 7B
 46
Route 5
Boulder
V8-9 7B+
 33
Red
Boulder
V9-10 7C+
 14
Goodbye Blue Sky
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Sage Truth Nine Mile Bould… > Dave Loves Donn… > Royal Rock
 39
V2 5+ Boulder
The Sun Drains Heavy Nine Mile Bould… > … > Pink Floyd Area > Two Balloons Boulder
 35
V2 5+ Boulder
Knife Wrench! Nine Mile Bould… > Rock Garden Bou… > Scrubs Boulder
 47
V4 6B Boulder
Crack Cave Nine Mile Bould… > Crack Hole Area > Crack Hole Boulder
 17
V4 6B Boulder
Awoman Nine Mile Bould… > … > Southie Area > Mistress Boulder
 29
V4 6B Boulder
Mark of Zorro (aka Route 2) Nine Mile Bould… > Bone Park Bould… > Plethora Boulder (Rig…
 121
V5- 6C Boulder
High Five Nine Mile Bould… > … > Pink Floyd Area > Dune Boulder
 28
V5 6C Boulder
Punchdance Nine Mile Bould… > … > W Triangle > Punchdance Boulder
 43
V5 6C Boulder
Chinese Algebra Nine Mile Bould… > … > Mecca Area > Mecca Boulder
 76
V6 7A Boulder
Goodbye Blue Monday Nine Mile Bould… > … > Southie Area > Mistress Boulder
 41
V6 7A Boulder
C.O.G Nine Mile Bould… > Rock Garden Bou… > Chiseled Arete Boulder
 31
V6 7A Boulder
Clydesdale Manimal Nine Mile Bould… > … > Southie Area > Mythic Beast
 20
V6+ 7A Boulder
Route 5 Nine Mile Bould… > Bone Park Bould… > Plethora Boulder (Rig…
 46
V8 7B Boulder
Red Nine Mile Bould… > Bone Park Bould… > Plethora Boulder (Rig…
 33
V8-9 7B+ Boulder
Goodbye Blue Sky Nine Mile Bould… > … > Pink Floyd Area > Main Boulder
 14
V9-10 7C+ Boulder
More Classic Climbs in Nine Mile Hill »

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