All Locations > Colorado > Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Curecanti National Recreation Area 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7

Marmot Rocks 0 / 0 / 0 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7

North Rim Routes 101 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 1 / 6 / 1 / 0 / 102

South Rim Routes 29 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 29

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	5,671 ft	1,729 m
GPS:	38.57701, -107.73207 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	848,348 total · 2,898/month
Shared By:	Steve Levin on Dec 31, 2000
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

Seasonal Raptor Closures March 15- July 15

For more information Visit: nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/…

Description

Wallace Hansen: "Several western canyons exceed the Black Canyon in overall size.... some are longer, some are deeper, some are narrower, and a few have walls as steep. But no other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness, and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison."

Getting There

The Black Canyon of Gunninson is located approximately 250 miles SW of Denver.

South Rim: 15 miles east of Montrose, via U.S. Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347.

North Rim: 11 miles south of Crawford, via CO Hwy 92 and North Rim Road (closed in winter).

Permits

Per Black Canyon Ranger: in 2003, permits are required to climb. They are free.

The Flakes Area Unstable Rock

Note that in 2018, a large feature 250-300 feet tall and probably 40 feet wide on average in the area of The Flakes moved substantially. There is a risk for massive rockfall!

145 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location:	Black Canyon of the Gunnison Change
Type:	to Trad Sport Toprope
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:	then:

Classic Climbing Routes at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 257 ● Escape Artist Trad 7 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 162 ● Journey Home Trad 5 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 286 ● Comic Relief Trad 8 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 129 ● Checkerboard Wall Trad 5 pitches N Rim Routes > Checkerboard Wall
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b 67 ● The Cruise Trad 12 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13 63 ● Cloaked Interpretation Trad 8 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 283 ● The Scenic Cruise Trad 13 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 38 ● Comic 2.0 Trad 8 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13 45 ● Atlantis Trad 16 pitches N Rim Routes > Prisoner of Your Hair…
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 91 ● Lightning Bolt Crack Trad N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 38 ● Happy Ending Trad N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a 95 ● Astro Dog Trad 14 pitches S Rim Routes
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a 39 ● Stoned Oven Trad 13 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b 40 ● Tague Yer Time Trad 15 pitches S Rim Routes
5.13 8a 29 X- 30 E7 6c R 8 ● The Free Hallucinogen Wall Trad 12 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall