The Inertia Wall Rock Climbing

From the Carbondale City Market parking lot, head 11.1 miles South on CO Highway 133. Carefully pull into the parking lot on the left.

Approach the wall by a path just right of the rock outcrop that comes down to the highway. The approach takes about 20-25 minutes. Allow extra time if it is your first hill climb.

Hike up sandy hill into woods where you will encounter a fixed line going up a steep slope. At the top of the line, head right and cross a small scree field. Continue up and right a short ways before switchbacking left and gaining an incredible ridge that offers amazing views of the Crystal River below and vistas north and south. Continue up the ridge with an occasional switchback on the north side of the ridge, You’’ll know you’re on the right track if you pass an ancient, gigantic conifer with a fixed rope on it on the south side of the ridge. After the ancient tree, continue up an open ridge. Make a traversing left through the woods just before the obvious Forest Service sign on the ridge.

The Inertia Wall belay platforms are flat and easy to stand on making the hang pleasant. The first wall is a 110 foot, ever-steepening granite slab that starts at 80 degrees, steepens to vertical, and then ends in a roof. The lower tier offers shorter climbs. The wall receives an incredible amount of morning sunshine and is shady in the afternoon and evening.