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Curecanti National Recreation Area Rock Climbing
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| Elevation: | 7,358 ft | 2,243 m |
| GPS: |
38.44251, -107.48004 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 32,555 total · 206/month | |
| Shared By: | John Peterson on May 16, 2012 | |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Access Issue: Curecanti Needle & surrounding 2016 Raptor Closure
Details
Brought to our attention from Dougald McDonald and David Goldstein:
nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/…
The Curecanti Needle and adjacent walls within one-half mile, including the area above the listed wall(s) from the canyon edge extending for 50 ft. away from the canyon but not including developed trails and overlooks. Also closed are the climbing routes along the north side of U.S. Hwy. 50 one-half mile east and west of mile marker 149. The intent of the mile 149 closure is to keep people from climbing in this area; fisherman and others are still welcome to park along the highway to fish and access the river.
nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/…
The Curecanti Needle and adjacent walls within one-half mile, including the area above the listed wall(s) from the canyon edge extending for 50 ft. away from the canyon but not including developed trails and overlooks. Also closed are the climbing routes along the north side of U.S. Hwy. 50 one-half mile east and west of mile marker 149. The intent of the mile 149 closure is to keep people from climbing in this area; fisherman and others are still welcome to park along the highway to fish and access the river.
Description
Upstream along the Gunnison River from the Black Canyon National Park lies Curecanti National Recreation Area. This area has abundant rock of varying quality. While this part of the canyon is not as steep or deep as the national park, there are many cliffs along the banks of the reservoirs. The upper part of Morrow Point is easily accessible from the rim, but the cliffs further downstream are not as easy to approach. In the winter, a number of ice climbs form in this canyon.
The iconic rock in this area is the Curecanti Needle, just across the canyon from the Pioneer Point overlook about 3 miles below Blue Mesa Dam on CO Route 92. A narrow gauge railroad used to run through the canyon and The Needle was the symbol of the line.
The iconic rock in this area is the Curecanti Needle, just across the canyon from the Pioneer Point overlook about 3 miles below Blue Mesa Dam on CO Route 92. A narrow gauge railroad used to run through the canyon and The Needle was the symbol of the line.
Getting There
Most of the climbs here have been developed in the canyon just downstream of Blue Mesa Dam. The dam is on US 50 about 25 miles west of Gunnison or 40 miles east of Montrose. Pine Creek is on the south side just a mile downstream on US 50 while Pioneer Point is found along CO Route 92 on the north side.
Classic Climbing Routes at Curecanti National Recreation Area
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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