When Will It Be Good?

As the snow begins to loosen its grip on western Colorado, everyone starts talking about rock climbing, and when such and such crag will be good. For the curious, here’s the quick beta on when you can expect to visit your favorite local choss pile crag.

Glenwood Canyon

The Puoux has been good all winter, No Name is probably climbable now on a nice day, and the Surgery Buttress should be good on sunny afternoons.

Mid Valley Crags

The Narrows is usually good by the beginning of March. The freeze thaw cycle can bring down some big chunks up there, so it’s best to stay away until that’s all over with. Thompson Creek is climbable once the road melts out, usually by mid-April. The Redstone boulders are good by mid-April as well, depending on how fast the snow melts. And right now is usually a good time to hit the F-Pan, with perfect temps on the sunny stone.

Higher Elevations

Independence Pass doesn’t open until Memorial Day, though you can hit Classy Cliff as it sits below the closure. Hagerman Pass can be good by May, but its at 10,000 feet so its usually best to wait for warmer weather on that one. Lime Creek is fine by Memorial Day, before then the dirt road can be impassable.

Down Valley

Some would tell you Rifle never goes out of condition, but for most, the season starts in April after the seepage has subsuded. Could be a bad year for that, we’ll see. Main Elk is excellent right now, as is the Rifle Arch.

And if you need a warmer fix, just head south and west. Paradox Valley, Escalante, Unaweep, Moab and the Creek are all prime right now.