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Elevation: 7,358 ft
GPS: 38.44251, -107.48004
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 32,358 total · 224/month
Shared By: John Peterson on May 16, 2012
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: Curecanti Needle & surrounding 2016 Raptor Closure DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Upstream along the Gunnison River from the Black Canyon National Park lies Curecanti National Recreation Area. This area has abundant rock of varying quality. While this part of the canyon is not as steep or deep as the national park, there are many cliffs along the banks of the reservoirs. The upper part of Morrow Point is easily accessible from the rim, but the cliffs further downstream are not as easy to approach. In the winter, a number of ice climbs form in this canyon.

The iconic rock in this area is the Curecanti Needle, just across the canyon from the Pioneer Point overlook about 3 miles below Blue Mesa Dam on CO Route 92. A narrow gauge railroad used to run through the canyon and The Needle was the symbol of the line.

Getting There Suggest change

Most of the climbs here have been developed in the canyon just downstream of Blue Mesa Dam. The dam is on US 50 about 25 miles west of Gunnison or 40 miles east of Montrose. Pine Creek is on the south side just a mile downstream on US 50 while Pioneer Point is found along CO Route 92 on the north side.

7 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Curecanti National Recreation Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 31
Northwest Rib
Trad 4 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Northwest Rib Curecanti Needle
 31
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 4 pitches
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