Climbing Near Nucla, Colorado

The "Wild Wild West" is a remote area of western Colorado near Naturita. With no nearby population centers, climbing in this area is wide open. Most of the rock is sandstone, with everything from short crags to pinnacles to long sandstone cracks.The best source of information on this area is Charlie Fowler's  and Damon Johnston's guidebook, The Wild Wild West. Approach from the south through the Telluride area on CO 145 northwest to Naturita and then continue west on CO 90. From Grand Junction head south on CO 141 through Unaweep Canyon. From the the Moab / Indian Creek area, head south on UT 191 to UT 46 east which becomes CO 90. Unfortunately Charlie Fowler's excellent website is gone. Here's a link to the archive of it: web.archive.org/web/2006120…

Stuck for a few days in the "lovely" town of Naturita Colorado? Unfortunate enough to be staying at the Ray Motel? Don't fret! There is climbing to be had! If you cannot drive elsewhere and/or just want to grip some stone after a hard days work or drive, hop on three sandstone boulders directly behind the hotel.Situated right behind the hotel there are three large climbable sandstone boulders. I would gather to say that I and my buddy are the first to "send" them as they were really gritty, covered in lichen and somewhat crumbly. We work out here every summer and have to stay at the Ray Motel so we were happy to find these gems as there is absolutely nothing else to do here after work...unless you like shitty bars or cow tipping.However, there are some good lines on them! I have named them from high on the hill to lowest: Shibby Boulder, Zoltan Boulder, and Continuum Transfunctioner Boulder. Can you tell that the last movie I watched before sending these problems was Dude Where's My Car?? On these are several fun, short, long and difficult climbs. From the parking lot at the Ray Motel, walk past the large indoor communal toilet...er, pool. Climb the hill and head for the obvious boulders.

Tabeguache Creek meanders east-west down canyon for over 10 miles before it flows out to the San Miguel. The North Fork flows north-south for 5 miles before its confluence with the main creek. In the right conditions, ice may be found along both canyons, which are largely contained within the Tabeguache Special Management Area. Access is either from Nucla to the south, via the Nucla-Delta Road (FS 503), or Delta to the north, via 25 Mesa Road. See the route pages for specific directions.