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Elevation: 7,955 ft 2,425 m
GPS: 38.8388, -106.1329
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 890,035 total · 3,257/month
Shared By: crossad on Jul 3, 2002 · Updates
Admins: Joey Chicharrones, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

The Buena Vista (locally pronounced, 'Bew-na Vista') area contains a number of different crags ranging from 40 to 500 feet. With the exception of Holy Water, most of the climbs are in the low, semi-arid mountains on the East side of the Arkansas River Valley. The views of the 14,000' Sawatch Range are phenomenal on just about every route in the valley. The valley has typical Colorado mountain weather in the summer. You'll experience the typical afternoon thunderstorms that roll off the high peaks and across the valley. You can often look up and down the valley and spot isolated thunderstorms and climb around them. If you get a southern or central valley storm, head up north to the Bob's Rock area. Don't make this storm dodging a standard practice!

There is fairly solid rock throughout the valley, especially at the developed crags. Also great year round bouldering is found all throughout the valley. Routes range from 5.5 to 5.13, and boulder problems range from v0-v11. The majority of the routes in the valley are bolted face routes, while some good traditional routes do exist. Although many of the routes in the valley are bolted, one would be wise to carry some traditional gear to supplement. A few toprope options are available at Bob's Rock.

Camping abounds to the northeast of town near Turtle Rock and Split Rock and is free. There is also camping in the National Forest west of town in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. The guidebook is available at The Trailhead outdoor shop located on Main Street, and contains local beta for many of the climbs in the valley. You can get just about anything you need in Buena Vista, and if not there's a Walmart in Salida, about 20 miles south of Buena Vista. 

Another treat are the two main hot springs near town, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs off of Mt. Princeton Rd. a few miles south of town, and Cottonwood Hot Springs about 5 miles west on Main Street. Showers can be had near the public river put-in immediately east of downtown BV. In the summer, the valley becomes a whitewater mecca. There are many fine outfitters in town if you want to spend some time in the river.

Ice climbing can be found here.

Getting There Suggest change

Buena Vista is located in the Arkansas River Valley about 3 hours from Denver and about 2 hours from Colorado Springs.

From Denver: Take US Hwy. 285 for 3 hours west from C-470 past Fairplay to Antero Junction where US Hwy. 285 and US Hwy 24 will join. Continue on what is now US Hwy 285/24 until your reach Johnson Village. Proceed to the T-Stop and turn right onto US Hwy 24. Take US 24 about 2 miles into BV.

From Colorado Springs: Take US Hwy 24 (Cimmarron) west out of downtown. Stay on US 24 until you reach Antero Junction, where US Hwy 285 and US Hwy 24 join. Turn left on what is now US 285/24 and take it over Trout Creek Pass to Johnson Village. Just after Johnson Village turn right and follow 2 miles to Buena Vista.

Guidebooks

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The most up-to-date guidebook is 40 Minutes from Leadville Vol 2. Full color and very comprehensive. Available in the link below or in your local shop.

https://www.40minutesfromleadville.com/product-page/leadville-rock-climbing-guidebook

There is another guidebook by Tom Perkins called Arkansas Valley Climbs. Available online or at your local shop. 

https://www.bentgate.com/arkansas-valley-climbing.html?source=googlebase&gclid=Cj0KCQjwweyFBhDvARIsAA67M70B9MC0sWLcAB4Q18l9IWNJFr5scZOTk21xPEegFVhHgx3Z7NsW9XUaAm37EALw_wcB

Climbing Stores

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The Trailhead has a comprehensive shop, local beta, and an awesome bakery/frozen yogurt/pop-up pizza/restaurant in the same building. 

Check them out at 402 E. MAIN STREET  www.thetrailheadco.com

Miscellaneous Food/Booze

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If you are coming from the Leadville side & need coffee, bakery goods, or wifi, there are no shortages of cafes in town. 

Hit up Brown Dog Coffee, The Trailhead, or Buena Vista Roastery.

For your post send pub and grub needs swing by Eddyline Brewery. Also Deerhammer Distillery usually has a burger truck outside (The Buena Viking).

RIP The Provin' Grounds Coffee Shop.

Organizations

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The Arkansas Valley Climber's Coalition (AVCC) is the local climbing advocacy group and is an affiliate of The Access Fund”.

They are a very knowledgeable resource and an excellent outlet for crag cleanup days, partner finder, etc.

For those on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasValleyClimbers

Bats - conservation

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See a bat on a route, give a shout. Climbers for Bat Conservation is working with climbers to understand bat ecology and why bats choose certain cracks and flakes. If you see bats, and want to tell them, here is their email (climbersforbats@colostate.edu) and their website ( climbersforbats.colostate.edu/).

Climbers for Bat Conservation is a collaboration between climbers, bat biologists, and land managers to understand where bats roost and where large populations may reside. They are interested in finding bats because a new disease, called white-nose syndrome ( whitenosesyndrome.org/), has killed millions of bats in North America. This collaboration has identified bat roosts throughout the U.S., and as far away as Norway and Bulgaria. CBC was developed by biologists who climb and they are advocates for climbing access and bat conservation. If you see bats while climbing, please let them know by emailing them at climbersforbats@colostate.edu, or visiting their website to learn more ( climbersforbats.colostate.edu/).

Rob Schorr

Zoologist, Colorado Natural Heritage Program ( sites.warnercnr.colostate.e…)

Director, Climbers for Bat Conservation

Robert.schorr@colostate.edu 

822 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Buena Vista Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Buena Vista

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V4 6B
 6
4-G
Boulder
V5 6C
 6
Instant Karma
Boulder
V6 7A
 15
Chained Heat
Boulder
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 7
Portugal
Trad 4 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 127
Carter Classic
Trad 5 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 134
I Can Hear You Now!
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 85
Bob's Crack
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 66
Depends
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 138
The Tao (Previously known as D4)
Sport 6 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 14
Walk the Way
Sport
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 74
Analog or Digital
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 81
Coax Trax
Sport
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 10
True Grit
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 56
Ego Buster
Trad, Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 12
Top Dawg
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
4-G Arkansas Valley… > … > Fins > Transmitter Boulder
 6
V4 6B Boulder
Instant Karma Arkansas Valley… > … > Turtle Rocks Ca… > Sunshine Wall
 6
V5 6C Boulder
Chained Heat Arkansas Valley… > … > Nathrop Blocks… > Buena Boulder
 15
V6 7A Boulder
Portugal Three Amigos
 7
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Carter Classic Davis Face
 127
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 5 pitches
I Can Hear You Now! Transmitter Tower
 134
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Bob's Crack Bob's Rock
 85
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Depends Bob's Rock
 66
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
The Tao (Previously known a… Davis Face
 138
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport 6 pitches
Walk the Way Holy Water Wall
 14
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Analog or Digital Transmitter Tower
 74
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Coax Trax Transmitter Tower
 81
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
True Grit Roost
 10
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Ego Buster Bob's Rock
 56
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad, Sport
Top Dawg Bob's Rock
 12
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Buena Vista »

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