Grand County / Fraser Valley  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  9,000' Lat, Long:  39.8345, -105.7564 Map Page Views:  5,013. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Jul 26, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

First Wall.

Description 

Often, climbers will ask if there is any climbing in Grand County? The answer is yes; however, there isn't as much as most climbers who venture there would like. Nonetheless, there are various crags with a smattering of routes in the vicinity tucked in that go unnoticed by the passing climber. There is rock that occasionally catches the eye as one drops down off of Berthoud Pass on the west side of US 40. So, let's start a section on this neglected area and see what comes out of the woodwork.

There are at least 5 modest-sized, gneiss crags (Hurd Creek's Upper Cliff, First Cliff, Lower Cliff, SDM Wall, and Trail Creek) and 50 routes in the 5.6-5.12 range covered in Jim Shaw's Fraser Valley Climbs available for $11 in Fraser on Main Street. There is at least another crag or two nearby.

Grand County lies north of Berthoud Pass and west of the Continental Divide. Much of the land is either Arapaho National Forest or Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) or Indian Peak Wilderness (IPW). For this area, we'll exclude RMNP & IPW, since that is covered elsewhere on the site.

Note that this particular valley seems to be in the peculiar position of having its moisture dried out near Steamboat Springs and Rabbit Ears Pass and can see less than expected precipitation.

The temperatures can be warm during the hottest stretches despite the 9000' altitudes. The sun can be strong under blue skies. Flies and mosquitos are native to these parts. So, come prepared.

Some of these crags are accessible even in the winter by the determined who ski or snowshoe into the crags.

Getting There 

Most folks who do not live in Fraser Valley will access this are via US 40 over Berthoud Pass from I-70. Some may access this valley from the west via Kremmling and Silverthorne via CO 9 and US 40.

Camping 

There are NF campgrounds off Berthoud Pass including Robber's Roost and Midland south of Winter Park. There is camping also along various NF access points and creeks incluing Louis Creek, Willow Creek, Meadow Creek. There are various places to find primitive camping in the National Forest. There is also camping at Willow Creek Reservoir.

The Classics

Featured Route For Grand County / Fraser Valley

Route 4 5.7  CO : Grand County / Fraser Valle... : Upper Hurd Basin

This has nice and fairly consistent climbing bottom to top....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Grand County / Fraser Valley Slideshow

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Lower Cliff.	Slabbing.	Hurd Creek crag near Tabernash, CO.
David DeCoste climbing sport route at Hurd Creek c...	David DeCoste climbing sport route at Hurd Creek c...	David DeCoste topping out.
Matt DeCoste on the lead at Hurd Creek crag.