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Mecca Boulder Area

Colorado > Grand Junction… > Unaweep Canyon > Nine Mile Hill > Nine Mile Bouldering

Description

This area is an attempt at getting most of the great problems in this area up on this site. I am aware of the long bouldering history this canyon has - and will do my best to give proper credit to whom it belongs, too. Nevertheless, I probably will make some mistakes along the way. It's a work in progress - the knowledge of FAs and route names around here is harder to obtain than that next grade level we all strive to achieve.

Getting There

This area can be found further past the bone park area by a few miles. Come up and around a bend to a large pulloff - the main area can be found heading past the tourist info signs and what not - through the green gate (make sure to close as ranchers have cows grazing in this area) and down and over the small creek - coming up on the other side on a large path to follow that heads north/south respectively.

The area's main parking is located 8 miles from the junction of U.S. 50 and Highway 141.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Mecca overview. Version 1.4. <br> <br> The Blue Moon area is also included, as many of the boulders are accessed via the same parking area and footpaths. <br> <br> The gold star marks the main parking for the areas. Dashed lines indicate approximate footpaths that access the areas, much of these are difficult to follow during some sections though.
[Hide Photo] Mecca overview. Version 1.4. The Blue Moon area is also included, as many of the boulders are accessed via the same parking area and footpaths. The gold star marks the main parking for the…
Blubber....
[Hide Photo] Blubber....
Dusk.
[Hide Photo] Dusk.
The creek crossing on one of the deepest snow days this last winter. Love hiking here!
[Hide Photo] The creek crossing on one of the deepest snow days this last winter. Love hiking here!
Hidden, classic beauty.
[Hide Photo] Hidden, classic beauty.
Crack on a block in a corridor between two blocks. Probably about V0. Looks like 30ft in the picture, but really only about 10ft. Several similar cracks exist on the same block.
[Hide Photo] Crack on a block in a corridor between two blocks. Probably about V0. Looks like 30ft in the picture, but really only about 10ft. Several similar cracks exist on the same block.
I think that 5.5 mile refers to distance from the cattle guard at the entrance of the mouth of the canyon . . . maybe.
[Hide Photo] I think that 5.5 mile refers to distance from the cattle guard at the entrance of the mouth of the canyon . . . maybe.
The pulloff from the road.
[Hide Photo] The pulloff from the road.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Matt Lisenby
[Hide Comment] When we started going out to this area, in the mid '90s, we ended up calling it Mecca because we kept returning to it. At that time, there was no cattle fencing in place at the parking area and the "Overlook" interpretive signage was faded & unreadable. It sometimes gets called the "Green-gate" and "Overlook" area for obvious reasons. As is often the case, only a couple of the most obvious lines looked like they had ever been climbed before. We had it all to ourselves. Unaweep bouldering history is very difficult to track and after a couple of years of no traffic, many climbs feel like first ascents. I've posted some photos and pictures of some of our early development, with ratings that we accepted at the time. There is WAY more in the area that what is posted here, and wandering around Unaweep "discovering" boulders is the best way to experience it anyway. Be careful with the edges, especially after rain/show, don't chip/enhance & respect the solitude and unspoiled setting that we have the privilege of experiencing. Jan 18, 2010
Jakekasper
[Hide Comment] I have, over the last nine years, bouldered extensively in this area and it holds a special place in my heart. There have been obivous sings (chipped rock, heavy chalk, stacked boulders) that people have been coming here off and on. As with any climbing area to those who visit, please respect the rock for future generations to enjoy. As Matt has said "many climbs feel like first ascents" chances are they have already been done. Also please respect the desert, it is as fragile as the rock. I have to disagree with Matt that it is best to "wandering around Unaweep 'discovering' boulders." This area is very rugged and at times unforgiving as well as fragile, if someone sees new foot prints they will follow them, even if it leads to nowhere. During the summer months, it is easy for the area to go weeks without rain fall, leaving footprints in the soil that can last a lifetime. I will reiterate the basic climbing ethics, DON'T BREAK THE ROCK. Someday I want to take my kids here and let them experience the "many climbs (that) feel like first ascents" just as I do now when I return to vist a place once home. Feb 21, 2010
Nick Reecy

[Hide Comment] Bumped into Steve Cheyney today and learned that he established and continues to maintenance the trail system that tours the Mecca area. Props to Steve for all the hard work! Jan 15, 2017