Red Rocks Route Advice and/or Partners 7/28-7/31

Hello all!

My girlfriend and I will be in Red Rocks area in the middle of a two-month road trip on 7/28-7/31 - our fourth trip to the area (yes, I know it will be hot but it's the only time we could make it this year so we'll have to make do chasing the shade!). We'll be staying in a cheap motel nearby.

If you're interested in climbing with us, please let me know!

If not, I would love to hear your advice on your favorite can't-miss routes. So far we've ticked Solar Slab, Johnny Vegas, Olive Oil, Cat In the Hat, Geronimo, and various single-pitch stuff.

For this trip, I've reviewed the Handren guidebook again for a plan, and so far I've bookmarked Frogland, Epinephrine, Dream of Wild Turkeys, Crimson Chrysalis, Dark Shadows, Tunnel Vision and Group Therapy, but I'd love to hear any (positive, constructive) opinions from you locals!

For reference:
- I lead ~5.9/10a trad and follow 10c/d
- I lead 5.10d/11a sport and follow 11b/c
- My girlfriend is just learning to lead over the last year but she's a great climber and fast learner (5.8+ trad/5.10a+ sport)

Cheers and thanks for reading,
-Jason from San Francisco

(forgive me if you see a similar post in other regional sections or a refresh of this post in a few weeks - I am trying to ping locals in each area along our trip!)

Hi John,

Thanks a lot for your thoughts! I obviously would rather come at a different time of year but am hoping to make it work since we are time-constrained.

I was definitely considering the Tunnel Vision/Group Therapy link-up, as I probably wouldn't bother hiking into the area for just one or the other, but doing both sounds like a great day.

Perhaps that day, and then Crimson Chrysalis another, and then Community Pillar another and finish up with Epinephrine? I've been really wanting to do the latter.

How would you characterize the climbing at Mt. Charleston?

Thanks John! Sounds perhaps similar to the limestone in Southern Thailand? Had a blast there so if so, that has to be worthy in some regard.

I think we'll keep an eye on the weather and consider that drive as a Plan B if the weather feels too oppressive.

If the temps are about 108 in town, Willow Springs in the afternoon will still have pleasant temps, be in the shade, and have a relatively short approach...I don't leave the frozen gallon in my car, I take about 3/4 of a gallon frozen, and keep it close to my core while hiking in the heat. After arriving at my destination, I put it in my pack in the shade, and usually still have ice when I've finished climbing.

Thanks Cassandra, nice tips! I will check out Willow Springs as well.

Keep the comments coming everyone!

Hopefully this will be a helpful thread for summertime visitors.