PRINT: Climbing in X Rock, Durango

X Rock

Colorado > Durango

Description

X-Rock is probably the most used crag in Durango. Located just outside of town, this area offers everything from slab to crack climbs, sport, trad, and bouldering. A lot of local guiding companies like to use X rock to teach people how to climb. Like most of the area in Durango the rock in soft sandstone (though it does take gear well), but unlike East Animas the approach is flat and quick.

Getting There

Go north on US Highway 550 you can park in the little parking lot just past the speed limit 55 sign (turn right). Per Matthias Holladay: turn left before the old La Plata Community Hospital and go up the driveway to the base of the slope. Look for X-Rock Parking signs to the left.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Anika leading an early sunrise on Right X, June of 2021 with the dawn light streaming across the Animas Valley.

X-Rock not just for climbing.

Classic Sunday morning at X Rock.

The front of X Rock.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Kevin Sainio
Durango, CO

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who on October 30th, participated in the first Rock the X day. Rock the X was a day of trail maintenance, garbage clean up, and anchor replacement at Durango's most popular climbing area. Due to everyone involved, there is now a sweet new trail leading from the dirt parking lot to the base of Gold wall all the way out to Ken's Face. Many of the routes that previously had no permanent anchors now do and the place is now trash free. Sponsors of the event included Kling Mountain Guides, Backcountry Experience, Pine Needle Mountaineering, Gardenshwartz Outdoors, Fort Lewis College's Outdoor Pursuits, San Juan College's Outdoor Leadership program, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, the Access fund, Trails 2000, Ska Brewing, and Evolv Climbing Shoes, and more!! A special thank you goes out to Josh, owner of Kling Mountain Guides for organizing the event.

The crew at work.

Just one of the many items removed.

Thanks to all the volunteers.

Nov 3, 2010

eli poss
Durango, CO

Bootied a stuck cam on the left X yesterday, PM me with what it is, and I'll get it back to you. May 24, 2015

eli poss
Durango, CO

Thank you very much to who ever did the road and trail work at X-Rock. That road desperately needed some attention. It is greatly appreciated! Next time there is trail work being done, please post something up here. I'd love to help. Sep 17, 2015

eli poss
Durango, CO

To the jerk who left a huge mess of chalk all over the gullies and the school room face:

It would be greatly appreciated if you would refrain from leaving piles of chalk and excessive tick marks all over the gullies and the school room face and clean up your mess. If you spill your chalk, please use some water from your water bottle to clean it up, rather than smearing it all over the face. At the very least, an apology would be nice.

It is very unsightly and completely out of character for the gullies and the schoolroom. If you're too lazy to clean up after yourself, please go climbing at Golf Wall or the gym where it is acceptable to leave excessive chalk stains and tick marks. Just because it's a climbing area doesn't mean that is acceptable; not all of us use chalk, and some of us dislike the feel of it. Oct 12, 2015

Gneiss Yeti
Denver, Colorado

Found a Grigri at the base of one of the cliffs. Email me if you lost one. Jul 3, 2016

Tim Matthews
Helena, MT

About a week ago I saw that two of the three bolts at the top of Right X were spinning and the hanger holding the chain at the very top of the X was getting loose. If some kind soul has the tools to tighten them, we'd all appreciate it! May 23, 2017