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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 27 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 27

Elevation:	5,671 ft
GPS:	38.57701, -107.73207 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	839,132 total · 3,073/month
Shared By:	Steve L on Dec 31, 2000
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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!

143 Total Climbs

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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.

5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c 317 ● The Maiden Voyage aka The Red Di… Trad 5 pitches N Rim Routes > Checkerboard Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 94 ● Casually Off-Route Trad 8 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 109 ● Russian Arete Trad 6 pitches N Rim Routes > Aretes
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 232 ● Escape Artist Trad 7 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 125 ● King Me Trad 3 pitches N Rim Routes > Checkerboard Wall
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 157 ● Journey Home Trad 5 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 266 ● Comic Relief Trad 8 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 110 ● Checkerboard Wall Trad 5 pitches N Rim Routes > Checkerboard Wall
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b 62 ● The Cruise Trad 12 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b 77 ● Cloak & Dagger Trad 6 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13 54 ● Cloaked Interpretation Trad 8 pitches N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 264 ● The Scenic Cruise Trad 13 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 156 ● A Midsummer Night's Dream Trad 6 pitches N Rim Routes > N Chasm View Wall
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 83 ● Lightning Bolt Crack Trad N Rim Routes > SOB Gully (skier's le…
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a 89 ● Astro Dog Trad 14 pitches S Rim Routes