[Hide Comment] Hi, I am from Arizona and will be climbing around Colorado for a few weeks. Does anyone know of any camping (preferably free sites) around Lake City. The closest I know is Cement Creek. Thanks! May 29, 2008

[Hide Comment] There's tons of public land up by Lake City. I'd ask at the tourist info place there. With all of the mining claims it's hard to know what is public.

If you stay near Gunnison, the traditional place to camp is Hartman Rocks. May 29, 2008

[Hide Comment] Thanks, and do you think the conditions at God's crag will be good this early in the summer? May 29, 2008

[Hide Comment] Haven't been to Lake City yet this year, but it should be fine. May 29, 2008

[Hide Comment] Keep in mind that CO had a shitton of snow this year. It's a south-facing cliff, but a good amount of water runs off the cliff early spring. There may some wetness still. But the front side cliff is most certainly dry. Also - true story - I went down there once in early May to bolt a route and over the day, I picked off at least 60 ticks (safe estimate). It was absolutely ridiculous. I could see them in the bushes, on the grass, on my gear, on the rope. The route "Show Us Your Ticks" was born. A day later, my girlfriend woke up back at home with one crawling up her back, and a quick check of the bed and my gear revealed a few more. Talk about nightmares! By late June that same year, two days at the cliff only brought out two ticks. What happens to all the ticks? I heard ants eat them. Anybody out there know? May 30, 2008

[Hide Comment] How about some first hand info? I live in LC full-time. So let me give you the lowdown.
Free Camping in/around LC is very limited. There is a some within 5-10 mi of town but only a very few in or close to town (if you want more info contact me directly).

As to conditions at God's Crag locally known as Tick Rock for reasons currently being talked about. It should be good to go, we do have a ton of snow still in the high country, and it would not surprise me if the rock is wet in places still. I warn you also the ticks are BAD this year, I have been pulling them off me every time I climb. I have not been to Tick Rock this year, and it is usually one of the worst places for the little blood suckers.

There are also some other places to climb besides Tick Rock. Sport and trad and they both have camping right there and not a lot of people.
If you get to LC find the lumber yard and ask for Andy Dozier, they usually know where to find me. Gotta love small towns. May 31, 2008

[Hide Comment] The rock is calcified San Juan volcanic tuff, not limestone. Aug 18, 2009

[Hide Comment] How long does it take to get to God's Crag (or tick rock) from Gunnison?

Thanks Sep 3, 2009

[Hide Comment] Not sure who is keeping track any more. I helped put up 3 - 5.10'ish routes out here in 2000. There's probably 10 - 15 more routes than listed at least by now. Many of these are very deceiving in grade. Very good quality rock, but 10a is fairly tough here. Mar 4, 2011

[Hide Comment] If the waterfall is running, resist the temptation to take a cool shower. After goofing off under the waterfall, I stepped out of the spray zone and moments later, a huge rock had come flying down and landed right where I was!! Freaky! Apr 4, 2011

[Hide Comment] Don't forget your helmet! Jul 9, 2011

[Hide Comment] Holy beautiful crag! But, man, are there a lot of ticks in early season — I pulled at least 30 off of myself and my clothes! We had to bail from the cliff because it was impossible to stand still and belay without hoards of ticks jumping on to you. May 28, 2013

[Hide Comment] Found a ATC guide belay device and carabiner at the base of the Ritalin Wall on June 17th. Would be happy to return it to its owner if I can find them.... Jun 19, 2013

[Hide Comment] The locals call this place 'Tick Rock' for a reason. Expect thick ticks on the hike in till June. Jul 8, 2013

[Hide Comment] Does anybody have any info on whether access to this area has been affected by the recent fire? Thanks! Aug 5, 2013

[Hide Comment] Looking for suggestions for decent camping spots near God's Crag, preferably on Forest Service or BLM land. Thanks in advance. Aug 24, 2013

[Hide Comment] Gonna be in Lake City over Memorial Day weekend. Solo with gear in need of a belay! Anyone going to be in the area and looking to send? May 23, 2018

[Hide Comment] For those wanting camping sites, there are plenty along the road leading to God’s Crag, and they are free. If you want a great view over Lake San Crisobal, there’s camping for $8 a night. Cheers! Jun 12, 2019

[Hide Comment] Don't rely on your odometer reading from Lake City! There is a cliff high on the ridge at 7.3 miles from the given intersection, but it's not where you want to go! Use the mile marker signs, they are accurate. About 1/2 mi past the mile 7 marker is the trail. Aug 29, 2020

[Hide Comment] @DB Cee. IME, not until the fall, unless it's an exceptionally warm summer, but June will unfortunately be the beginning or in the thick of the high season. One thing you might try is long pants and maybe cinch the legs down on your ankles, and before going doing a really thorough treatment with Permethrin, you could try the same with some acrylic socks or even your shoes. You can get clothing spray at REI or online, you just basically drench it and let it dry outside. Also, it may not be possible, but ticks can't jump. They cling on when you walk through taller grass and brush, so keeping away from brush as best as possible and frequently checking can go a really long way. Also, Colorado ticks are often extremely small, so don't expect to be seeing some massive, dime-sized bugs like you might find out in the plains states. May 12, 2022

[Hide Comment] Anyone been up there recently? Heading up this weekend and was wondering how bad the ticks are…. Jun 6, 2022

[Hide Comment] Anyone know the tick situation? Jun 21, 2022

[Hide Comment] Tick report as of May 16th: millions of ticks. May 16, 2023