Best alternative if raining on Front Range?

Hi everyone,

I'm visiting a friend in Westminster for the next 3 weeks (originally from AZ) and I have a few other friends flying in from AZ just for the weekend who are just getting into trad/multipitch climbing. As I'm looking at the weather, it looks like tomorrow should be nice but the rest of the weekend is supposed to get rain with the possibility of thunder storms. I was just curious what our next best option to Eldo/Boulder Canyon was to avoid inclement weather in the foothills, as we would like to get out as much as possible over the short time they're here.

I was looking at South Platte (Eleven Mile Canyon in particular) but it kind of looks as though that whole area is still in the foot hills and likely to get rained on. Any other suggestions?

Also is the Third Flatiron closed? On the MP page it says its closed due to falcon nesting but there was a * that said the closure was lifted in 2013. Just curious as to what the current status was.

Thanks,

Dan Evans

I like to climb at the roof routes on Redgarden Wall in Eldo when it is raining. They typically stay dry, however I don't know your ability but they start at 5.10 and require leading. I believe you could maybe set up a top rope a select few neighoboring climbs once lead. mountainproject.com/v/redga…

Daniel Evans wrote:what our next best option to Eldo/Boulder Canyon was to avoid inclement weather in the foothills

Yeah I'm leading ~5.8/soft 5.9 trad at the moment, and the people I'm with are both following 5.6/5.7. The roof routes are a bit out of our league. But thanks.

Mason Roberts wrote:the 3rd is closed, among other areas. Here's a full listing: bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/cl…

The third is closed every year for a few months. Boulder's closure website is your best bet for crags, because places can close for falcons, bats, mud, and invasive snails.

As far as rain goes, look north, then look south, and pick the area that looks clear. If the whole area gets socked in with rain, you'll usually be out of luck, but there are other options, like hiking, the gym, or just waiting a day. We might have rain, but it's usually light enough that the overhung areas will stay dry.

Get up early and climb, probably dry in the a.m.

Forecast isn't that bad. Keep in mind that the crags tend to dry really quickly.

Starting early is a really good idea.

You could also stick to shorter routes, Wind Tower in Eldo has a lot of choices in your grade range. east Colfax in CCC if you want easier sport. Both likely to be crowded on weekends.

You might be able to get away with one of the shorter flatirons, Maybe First Flatironette to the Spy. Could add the North Ridge of the 1st if the weatehr looks promising. A little easy for you, but pretty fun. Just try not to call for Rescue Services :-)

Elevenmile tends to be pretty dry. But if raining south of Denver try heading north to Poudre Canyon (Gray Rock), Lumpy Ridge, Vedauwoo.

I bail down to NM when it's raining in the front range but to go bouldering at Roy. Pretty far drive from Boulder though. I go to Elevenmile a lot. It does dry quickly. Very exposed granite baking in the sun.

For the record it rained today and I found many dry overhanging boulder problems at the second flat iron (satellite boulders) if thats your thing.

Sometimes CCC will be fine even if Boulder is rainy. eg. today