The Blob Rock Area has some of the finest climbing in Boulder Canyon. Located on the sunny north side of the canyon, it's a great place to climb in cooler weather. There is something for all climbers: multi-pitch trad climbs, runout face climbs, and modern sport routes.
Many of the older routes are a bit runout; they were established at a time when bolting wasn't a popular option for dealing with scary climbing. Most of the modern routes, however, have bolts where necessary to protect difficult moves.
This area is often closed for raptor nesting from February 1 through July 31. However, in 2006 the climbing ban was lifted early, and the area was reopened to climbing in early March. Signs are posted at the trailhead informing climbers of the current status of the raptor closure.
The area is composed of several formations: the main rocks are Blob Rock and East Blob; two smaller rocks are Little Blob and Small Package Block.
Blob Rock is a large and complex formation with many routes. It is the home of multi-pitch trad routes like Where Eagles Dare (10b PG-13) and On Ballet (9), bolts-plus-gear testpieces like Radlands of Infinity (13a) and Bearcat Goes to Hollywood (11d), and modern sport routes like Bolt Cola (10a) and Vasodilator (13a).
East Blob has some old, runout face climbs like A Hike With Ludwig Dude (10a R), and some well-bolted sport routes like The Young and the Rackless (9), A Hike for Y2K (11d), and The Ticket (12a).
Little Blob is a small rock below the main face of Blob Rock, and has a few more difficult sport routes like Lost and Found (12a).
Small Package Block is a small rock up and left of Blob Rock, and has a few short trad and sport routes. Wake 'n Bake (10a, sport) is a lot of fun.
Getting There
Park in a small pullout on the right, just past Cob Rock. This is about 6.7 miles up the canyon.
A trail begins from the right side of the pullout. Follow it as it zig-zags up the hill. It will take you to the base of the Main Wall of Blob Rock in about 10 or 15 minutes.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Blob Rock Area:
This was one of the most (in)famous 5.9 trad routes in Boulder Canyon - that is until it was upgraded to 10b in Rossiter's latest guide. The route begins about 50' right of the bolted route "Bolt Cola" behind a large talus block.P1. Head up a slab with occasional cracks to a large roof about 100' up. The crux tackles this roof directly via an overhanging corner with a very thin crack in the back. You can place good gear down low, but higher up...[more]Browse More Classics in CO
By Ron Olsen Administrator From: Boulder, CO May 23, 2009
Condition report As of 5/23/09, the raptor closure on Blob Rock has been lifted, and the area is now open to climbing. The eagles did not nest there this year, and the Forest Service lifted the closure early.
Has anyone climbed the route under the giant roof between Dike Wall and West Butress? The one route that goes under the roof is called "Bad Girls Dream" and according to the new guide book, it's a 10a. It's the only 5.10 in the canyon I have not been able to climb. (Had to downclimb it, not easy in a horizontal roof.) Does anyone know if the 10a rating in the new GB is an error, or have any general info about this line?
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