Lower Grotto Wall  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  21,191. Good page?    Administrators:  Alvaro Arnal, Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Pinklebear on Jan 7, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 77° | 43° 79° | 45° 75° | 43° 77° | 46° 75° | 45°

BETA PHOTO: Image by Aspen Climbing Guides.

Description 

The Grotto Wall, with its historic and appealing Cryogenic Corner and John Sherman's highballing masterpiece The Ineditable, is the centerpiece of the Pass. The climbing here ranges from pure sport (Space Sluts in the Slammer) to Mixed (Exotic Headache) and classics are represented at just about every grade from 5.7 to 5.13+. The wall faces due south and can be quite hot on bright summer days, but does hold shade through mid-day on its left side.

The Upper Grotto Wall, a 15 minute slog up steep talus above the Lower Grotto has some great routes as well. This is a good place to get familiar with the pass and is useful for orienting oneself and finding the other crags. Routes range from 1-3 pitches in length.

Getting There 

I'm not sure about the exact mileage but the Grotto Wall is roughly nine miles from the end of Aspen proper (measure from the City Market). It is the obvious white and black towering wall on the left as you drive up the Pass from Aspen and has a nice parking lot/pull-out on the north (left) side of the road in which to park. This pull-out is tucked into an ess curve and attracts lots of tourists, so be prepared for an audience during busy weekends in the summer.

The Classics

Featured Route For Lower Grotto Wall

Twin Cracks 5.8  CO : Independence Pass : ... : Lower Grotto Wall

The crux is at the top of the two parallel cracks under a roof to traverse right (crux), then pull onto a face onto a ledge to bolted anchor P1, belay. Then up to the top of the Lower Grotto Wall belay P2....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Lower Grotto Wall Slideshow

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Grotto Wall. Photo by Blitzo.	BETA PHOTO: Lower Grotto Wall. Second Grotto Wall can be seen ...	BETA PHOTO: Left side of Lower Grotto Wall. Cryogenics is left...
Second Grotto Wall. The Plaque is the smooth face ...	Grotto Wall.