Climbing Red Rocks (October)

Hello there.

I would like to know if climbing in October is possible.

A friend and I will have a few days off work so we'd like to try Red Rocks, but know nothing about the usual weather conditions during October. (We would probably go there from Sept 29- Oct 8th ).

(Raining/ snow/ etc, would be factors that affect our stay)

(We'll be able to Climb sport & trad)

Also, when do passes become available at, it says you have to reserve from October.

https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10075177 ?

I think it's still pretty warm in late September, but it has not stopped me from climbing at RR... maybe focus on shady sport crags instead of a sunny multi pitch..

Tony Greenway wrote:

I think it's still pretty warm in late September, but it has not stopped me from climbing at RR... maybe focus on shady sport crags instead of a sunny multi pitch..

Sounds doable, we'll be traveling from Puerto Rico, and are used to climb in hot places. Thanks for the info!

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/123618903/frequently-asked-red-rock-questions-with-links-to-the-answers-updatedfixed-12023

This will have your answers

I live here, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I climb in RRC year round and summer is my favorite season because no one is there.

October will be warm, but great in the shade.

William Elliot wrote:

I live here, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I climb in RRC year round and summer is my favorite season because no one is there.

October will be warm, but great in the shade.

Sounds good. What would you call 'warm'?

The week you are coming is typically when I schedule one of my twice a year long visits. Weather is typically wonderful for doing longer routes in the shade. Black Velvet Canyon is often perfect. You will have innumerable choices. 

@Jadel Betancourt, in October you probably won't be experiencing anything hotter than the mid 90's at the peak of the day, with almost no humidity. It's typically 10 degrees cooler in the canyon than on the strip, and feels like another 15-20 degrees cooler in the shade.

I just did Y2K a week ago and it hit 116 on the strip according to accuweather. I was warm but I had a great time. Make sure you have enough water.

William Elliot wrote:

@Jadel Betancourt, in October you probably won't be experiencing anything hotter than the mid 90's at the peak of the day, with almost no humidity. It's typically 10 degrees cooler in the canyon than on the strip, and feels like another 15-20 degrees cooler in the shade.

I just did Y2K a week ago and it hit 116 on the strip according to accuweather. I was warm but I had a great time. Make sure you have enough water.

Thank you, this is great news!

It can be all over the place, and has to do with your temp tolerance. I once went for a super popular multi pitch in october, we were the only ones on route. Hiking out was so hot but the route was in the shade. I actually bailed because I was so cold on the wall and hadn't brought a jacket since it was hot out still. Lesson learned, it can be cold in the shade. Then again I am a desert rat and was cold last night with my AC set to 80 so YMMV.