Eleven Mile Canyon: Questions

Will be taking a trip to climb here very soon. I just wanted some basic info about access this time of year and what not. Is the place open year round? Just wondering since there's camping and what-not. I don't want to drive all the way there to find it closed or something. Also, what's the weather typically like? I see here that it's listed as colder than most Front Range area's, but if it's going to be low 70's in the Springs that day, will it be that much colder in the canyon?

I picked up Bob D's book from the AAC library for a guide. Any "Can't Miss" climbs I should check out?

Thanks!

Elevenmile Canyon is open for business. Most of the snow is melted. The first campground, about a mile into the canyon from the entrance, is open year-round. It is cooler than the Front Range since it's above 8,000 feet, but lots of good days are found. It can be windy this time of the year. Get an early start or look for protected cliffs and you'll be fine. Bring wood if you want a fire at the campground, although with the dry conditions there will probably be restrictions soon. Now through May is a great time to go, especially during the week since there will be few climbers, fishermen, or tourists about. Good luck and have fun!

Ditto on the climbing stuff... all good. As to camping - blow off the areas in the canyon and go down past the bridge and bathrooms (in the canyon)to the only road on the left (Wagon Toungue road or Wagon Gulch road). Follow this road for a mile or so as it loops around and you will be in free national forest sites.

Looove 11 mile.

Thanks for the responses so far! I won't be camping here until summer, but I'm going down to climb for the day very soon and check the place out before taking the family.

I am wondering too if I can get around in the canyon on its roads with a front wheel drive passenger car (Camry) or do I need a high clearance 4WD vehicle?

If you're going in the summer, try up Wagon Tongue for camping (mid-canyon accessway) so you don't have to pay for camping and canyon use, both. But, you will have the redneck factor all around you. Front wheel is no problem in the canyon, Wagon Tongue can be iffy. It's a pick your poison climbathon; but you'll find that the approaches suck. Anywhere from 0.25 to 10

.... minutes

Sorry, 'nother question(s). Is this a state park? O.K., what I'm really getting at is: Can I drink beer in the canyon? Gonna be there this Saturday.

I agree with the other blokes. If you go in summer, go up that road and camp on the forest land. you won't have to deal with all the other campers and it's free. That said though, Cove Campground is pretty sweet...small, only a few sites, and within walking distance of The Icebox, Pine Cone Dome, the stuff up by the dam, and Cove Rock. Also 2-wheel drive is fine for everything. No 4x4 needed. And you can drink beer. It's national forest land, not a state park or anything else. You do have to buy a daily permit, which sucks, but don't try to avoid it because they're pretty diligent about driving around in summer and finding non-payers.