Golden, Colorado is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, only fifteen minutes from the heart of Denver but a world apart. Golden is home of the internationally recognized Colorado School of Mines the Coors Brewery where the factory "short tour" is always welcomed at the end of the day after climbing in the sun drenched walls of North Table Mountain. Also, the American Alpine Club and its amazing climbing library is located on 10th St just E of Washington. It is an splendid resource for climbers!
Clear Creek Canyon and North Table Mountain/Golden Cliffs are definitely the most popular climbing areas. North Table Mt, in particular, is popular as an after work venue with the Denver crew, with its fast and easy access and late afternoon sun.
In addition, there are other less-well-known crags in the general area like Lookout Mt Crag, South Table Mt., the currently closed Ralston Buttes, Golden Gate Canyon SP, among others.
Getting There
Golden is located West of Denver and is easily reached from the West, East, North and South.
If you are looking for eats, there is an excellent Middle Eastern restaurant, Ali Babba's, located E of CO Hwy 93, just north of US with tasty "sandwiches." There is Woody's Pizza, located on the E side of Washington St, right next to a great climbing shop, Bent Gate. Good selection of beer, tasty margarita, a reasonable salad bar and unlimited pizza for <$9. See if you can beat the record of 32 slices of pizza in a meal. The Table Mt Inn has good, if more upscale, food and drinks.
Coors Brewery does offer a tour with samples. If you are short for time, ask to do the "short tour."
There is a fun kayak park located on the W end of Golden for those choosing cross-training and/or thermal cooling.
Too! is a very strange route, and quite out of place at Clear Creek. It contains 3 good pitches (out of 4) and some impressive exposure, but the everpresent lichen and loose rock subtract from this otherwise excellent climb. P1. A multitude of first pitches are possible, but the best (and most in keeping with the difficulty of the rest of the climb) is the farthest right bolted pitch on the base of the formation. A few difficult slab moves at mid...[more]
Just went and got mine and let me just say that this guide book (IMO) has just set a new standard on how guidebooks should be done. Excellent work to whoever put it together.
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