Mountain Project: Climbing Crested Butte

This is a secret gem of bouldering in the Gunnison (more like Crested Butte) area. A very Frenchy setting, these boulders are located amongst the trees underneath the massive wall to the east of the town of Crested Butte. Generally uncrowded (I have never seen more than two other parties), this area boasts some great quality rock.

Getting There

Park north of the area and take the bike/hiking trail to the boulders.

Per Luke Mehall: Please be sure to access the boulders correctly. In addition to not parking in the Skyland residential area, there are a couple other considerations.

The best way to access the boulders is via bicycle (or hiking) the Tony's Trail, which leads right up to the Hone Stone. This is easily found by taking Elk Ave. east, until it turns into a dirt road.

Dogs

Per Luke Mehall: dogs are not allowed on this trail, however, and climbers have received fines for having dogs in this area, as it is used for ranching.

If you do have dogs and want to bring them up, the best way to do that is to access the Skyland Boulders from the town of Mt. Crested Butte, via the Upper Loop. A parking area is available on Hunter Hill Rd.

The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Skyland Boulders:

Blunt Boy V1 Boulder, 30 feet, Grade V The Joint Boulder

Right El Skyland V3- Boulder, 25 feet High Times

All Hands on Deck V3-4 Boulder, 20 feet Battleship Boulder

Left el Skyland V3-4 Boulder, 15 feet High Times

Left Direct V3-4 Boulder, 15 feet The Wave

The Nipple Arete V4 PG13 Boulder, 1 pitch, 18 feet The Joint Boulder

Portrait of an Artist V4 Boulder Red Sky Boulder aka Portrai...

Wedge Arete V4 Boulder Wedge Arete

Center el Skyland V4-5 Boulder High Times

The Wave V5-6 Boulder The Wave

J-crack V5-6 Boulder, 20 feet High Times

Dirty Business aka Tropic of Capricorn V6 Boulder Battleship Boulder

Filth Pig V6 Boulder, 20 feet The Joint Boulder

Atomic Tick Fever V7 Boulder, 15 feet The Hone Stone

Crimps on the East Side V7-8 Boulder The Hone Stone

Longshot V8 Boulder, 15 feet The Joint Boulder

Weeping Warrior/Berholtz Arete V9- Boulder, 15 feet The Hone Stone

Supernatural V9 Boulder, 15 feet Supernatural Boulder

Atomic Tick Fever (Sit Start) V10 Boulder, 1 pitch, 16 feet The Hone Stone

Overhang Project V10+ Boulder, 20 feet The Joint Boulder

Photos of Skyland Boulders

Slideshow

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Dave Ludders on the classic highball Filth Pig at ...	Ben Johnson, in costume, for the slackline contest...	Another classic Bonanza shot at the costume contes...
Ben J on Center El Skyland.	Hiking down Tony's Trail from the Skyland Boulders...	Young Jack Starkebaum on the Bernholtz Arete (aka ...
Seth Calkins climbing All Hands on Deck, V5, durin...	Skyland in the fall, photo taken from Tony's Trail...	The view of Whetstone from the Skyland Boulders.
Parking Lot at the end of Elk Ave. The big boulder...

Comments on Skyland Boulders

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By Kyle Flannigan
From: Gunnison
Jun 26, 2008

To get to the North entrance drive towards Crested Butte Mt Resort. Turn right on Hunter Hill just before the resort, and again right on Hunter Hill. Drive for 2-3 mins till you reach the overlook. Park and walk down the Upper Loop bike trail for about 25-30 minutes to the boulders.

All the directions I've ever given to specific boulders on this site were from the south entrance walking towards the North as I used that entrance last season. This season a few people I know have gotten tickets parking in the Skyland neighborhood. Trying to respect possible access issues this season.

By half-pad-mini-jug
From: crauschville
Aug 3, 2010

OMG!!! This has to be one of THE BEST bouldering areas in Colorado. Fantastic stone, tall boulders, beautiful setting! What more can you ask for?!? Just watch out for afternoon thunder/lighning storms, got caught in one this weekend, not fun....

By CaptainMo
Administrator
Jun 14, 2011

While I was living out there one summer this used to be my fav spot... except when running from lightning! And I guess you can't just park next to the boulders anymore either...bummer!

By koreo
From: Denver, CO
Jul 5, 2012

If you're coming to the Skyland Boulders from Crested Butte, it's a solid two mile hike from the 4 way intersection on Elk Road.

By Zach@C��se Mountain Adventures
From: Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France
Jan 6, 2013

I made a topo for Skyland a few years ago while I was still living in Crested Butte. I had totally forgotton about it until I randomly happened upon it while going through some old things recently. I think I made it mostly for myself, to remember all the great boulder problems as well as the years of my life spent wandering around in the aspens looking for new problems and trying to repeat old ones. Anyways, I figured that I might as well share it with other climbers who want to experience all Skyland has to offer as well as the names and grades of most of the problems. Have fun and enjoy! ---Zach
Here it is: Skyland Bouldering Topo.

By Max Lasky
From: New Paltz, New York
Apr 28, 2013

Thanks, Zach! This topo is awesome :)

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Skyland Boulders

Description

Getting There

Dogs

The Classics