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Elevation: 6,351 ft
GPS: 39.7373, -105.3189
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 62,557 total · 221/month
Shared By: Ramin Jamshidi on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures/CDOT Road Work DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

A unique climbing area perched above Clear Creek. The setting is beautiful and there is essentially no approach; you just have to put up with the quarry trucks roaring through the tunnel. Tricky slab routes on the lower part of the wall, and more varied, powerful climbs on the upper half. There are a number of truly enjoyable climbs here. Most climbs are accessed via a large ledge split in two by a giant boulder (see picture). This ledge caps the lower series of climbs and forms the base of the upper set. There are two means of accessing this central area: The Put In (5.7) heads up from road level just a few yards away from the start of the bridge railing. From these anchors, you can climb Overflow or traverse right along the ledge (5.2) past a few bolts to reach the left side of the main ledge. Walk along the wall down to the river, where you can climb Bottom Side Down (5.10d) straight up to the left side of the main ledge. The right side of the belay ledge can be accessed by squeezing behind the boulder (take your pack off first!). River Wall requires a 60m rope and some forethought in rope management. A note on leading the lower climbs: rap down on one rope and carry a second to lead out on. Each of the lower climbs has a 2-bolt belay station just above the water where the belayer will have to mind the rope as much as the climber. (Dry treated rope will do no good if it's floating down the river.) Alternatively, on your way down you can hang draws and clip in one end of your rap line. At the bottom, pulling the rap line down through the draws should keep your rope from flying down into the drink.

This crag is generally in the shade.

Getting There Suggest change

River Wall is right across the river from High Wire. Get on US 6 from Golden, going west. The wall is on the east side of the bridge immediately east of Tunnel 2 (4.9 miles from Tunnel 1). It's best to park on the north side of the highway, about 1/4 mile east Tunnel 2. From the cars, walk west toward the bridge & tunnel, but stay south-east of the bridge (that is, don't cross over the bridge as though going to High Wire). The wall is right there on the south-east corner of the bridge.

L->R:

Suggest change

Wall left:

A. Evil, 13, 1p, bolts.

Lower Wall:

B1. The Put In, 8, 1p, 60', bolts.

B2. Original Route, 9 PG-13, 1p, 60', gear & old bolts.

C. Muddy Waters, 9+, 1p, 80', bolts.

D. Old Man River, 10, 1p, bolts, 85'.

E1. Up A Creek, 11, 1p, bolts.

E2. Float Trip, 12-, 1p, bolts.

F. Bottom Side Down, 10+, 1p, 85', bolts.

G. The River Mild, 10, 1p, 85', bolts.

GH. Grilled Trout, 10+, 1p, bolts, linkup.

H. Grilled Trout, 10+, 1p, 85', bolts.

I. Take Me To The River, 11-, 1p, 85', bolts.

J. Flood Control, 10, 1p, 85', bolts.

K? Kor Route, 1p, 85', gear.

L? Family Unit, 9, 1p, bolts & gear.

M. Riffle, 2, traverse along ledge between lower & upper walls.

Upper Wall:

L. Overflow, 11, 1p, 40', bolts.

M. The River Wild, 12+, 1p, 70' (*), bolts.

N. Viagra Falls, 12, 1p, 70' (*), bolts.

O. White Water, 12-, 1p, 70' (*), bolts.

P. Splash, 11, 1p, 70' (*), bolts.

Q. Adventure Kayak Trundle, 12-, 1p, 100', bolts.

S. River Dance, 12, 1p, 80', bolts.

T. River Jam, 12-, 1p, 100', bolts.

U. Slacker, 12-, 1p, bolts.

V. Human Rites, 11, 1p, 60', bolts.

W. Right to Life, 12-, 1p, bolts.

X. Right To Laugh, 9+, 1p, bolts. Location?

Y1. Water Sports, 9+, 1p, 120', bolts.

Y2. Clear Water Revival, 9, 1p, 115', bolts.

Y3. River Walk, 10+, 3p, 225', bolts & gear.

Z1. Beach Front, 9, 1p, 100', bolts & gear.

Z2. Goin' Fishin', 11+, 1p, 100', bolts.

Nelsonator I, location?

Nelsonator II, location?

Nelsonator III, location?

(*) = a 60m rope is preferred for descent due to the overhanging nature of the route & the falling away of the terrain below the anchors.

31 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at River Wall

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 81
The Put In
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 68
Muddy Waters
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 48
The River Mild
Sport, TR
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 25
Grilled Trout
Sport, TR
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 40
Old Man River
Sport
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 55
Bottom Side Down
Sport, TR
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 8
River Grill
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 14
River Jam
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 20
Splash
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 17
White Water
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 56
Adventure Kayak Trundle
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 18
River Dance
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 10
Viagra Falls
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 7
The River Wild
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 18
Evil
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Put In
 81
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Sport
Muddy Waters
 68
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
The River Mild
 48
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport, TR
Grilled Trout
 25
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport, TR
Old Man River
 40
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Bottom Side Down
 55
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport, TR
River Grill
 8
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
River Jam
 14
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
Splash
 20
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
White Water
 17
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Adventure Kayak Trundle
 56
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
River Dance
 18
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Viagra Falls
 10
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
The River Wild
 7
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Evil
 18
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in River Wall »

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