Grand Junction, with an approximate population of 63,000 (as of 2019), is the largest center on Colorado’s Western Slope, unofficially serving as the capital of the region. The city is named for the junction of the Gunnison River and the Colorado River (formerly known as the Grand River).

Downtown Grand Junction is a classic western town that is gradually evolving into an arts center, with galleries and antique shops. The city sits near the midpoint of a 30-mile (48 km) arcing valley known as the Grand Valley, which is a major fruit growing region and the historic home to the Ute people. In recent years, several wineries have been established in the area as well. 

The Colorado National Monument, a series of canyons and mesas similar to the Grand Canyon, overlooks the city. Interstate 70 connects the city eastward to Glenwood Springs and Denver. The Monument is a great place to hit some towers and climb some great desert cracks.

Spring and Fall are often the best times of the year to visit and climb here. Summers can be very warm and winters although mild compared to the rest of the state can be unpredictable with cold winds. 

On rest days, about 10 miles west of Grand Junction is the town of Fruita, which has some good singletrack mountain biking, both at the 18 Road Area in the North Fruita Desert and the Kokopelli Trail system above the Colorado River. It is also the starting point of the Kokopeli Trail which is a great bike-packing trip between Fruita and Moab of about 142 miles. Additional information about bike packing can be found at bikerpelli.

This area will include areas close by including DeBeque Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, Palisade, Unaweep, Grand Mesa, and Colorado National Monument.

Climbing Shops and Guidebooks

Summit Canyon Mountaineering is located downtown and is a great source for local beta and gear. REI also has a store located east of downtown Grand Junction. Plan to visit Main Street for a great selection of local restaurants and breweries.

Guidebooks

The following guidebooks (listed below in alphabetical order) describe climbing in Grand Junction and the surrounding area. Please note that some books have several editions and others are out of print.

• Bouldering Unaweep Canyon: Volume 1 by David Lloyd

• Classic Desert Climbs by Fred Knapp

• Colorado Bouldering: Mountains and Western Slope by Phillip Benningfield

• Desert Rock: Rock Climbs in the National Parks by Eric Bjornstad

• Desert Rock III: Moab to Colorado National Monument by Eric Bjornstad

• Grand Junction Rock: Rock climbs of Unaweep Canyon and adjacent areas by K.C. Baum

• Rock Climbing Colorado (Falcon Guides) by Steven M. Green

Local Climbing Organization

The Western Colorado Climbers' Coalition (WCCC) is a great resource for local information, access issues, events, updates on bolting rules etc.

Website: westernslopeclimbers.blogsp…

Facebook: facebook.com/WesternColorad…;

Instagram: instagram.com/westerncolora…;

You can try NOAA.