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Elevation: 9,707 ft
GPS: 39.1198, -106.69987
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 118,564 total · 844/month
Shared By: Alvaro Arnal on May 21, 2012
Admins: Alvaro Arnal, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
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Description Suggest change

One of the mainstays of Independence Pass climbing, the Grotto Walls area offers the greatest variety of climbing on the Pass from the convenience of the Lower Grotto Wall to the more wild setting of the Third Grotto Wall. Climbing here is split pretty evenly between sport and trad. There is some great bouldering as well in the scree fields below the cliffs.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive up Independence Pass from Aspen about 9 miles. Come around a left hairpin turn and pull into the large pull-off on the left side of the road. Lower Grotto Wall is the large cliff just above the road. There will usually be a party on Twin Cracks and Cryogenics, and one to multiple cars with tourists pulled over watching the "crazy climbers".

76 Total Climbs

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Location: Grotto Walls Area Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Grotto Walls Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2 5+
 17
● Doberman Dihedral
Boulder
World of Hurt B… > Husky Boulder
V5 6C
 15
● Husky
Boulder
World of Hurt B… > Husky Boulder
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 156
● Twin Cracks
Trad
Lower Grotto Wall
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 43
● Grotto Wall Traverse
Trad 3 pitches
Lower Grotto Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 27
● Plaque Right
Trad
Second Grotto Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 4
● Brainwashed
Trad
Nude Buttress
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 8
● Inner Worlds
Trad 2 pitches
Third Grotto Wall
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 157
● Cryogenics
Trad 2 pitches
Lower Grotto Wall
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 84
● One for the Road
Sport
Lower Grotto Wall
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 11
● The Zebra
Sport
Second Grotto Wall
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 16
● Victims of Fashion
Trad, Sport 3 pitches
Lower Grotto Wall
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 4
● Headless Crankin' Chicken
Sport
Lower Grotto Wall
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 5
● Tarzan
Sport 2 pitches
Lower Grotto Wall
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 12
● Scene of the Crime
Sport
Lower Grotto Wall
5.13+ 8b 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 5
● Before There Were Nine
Sport
Lower Grotto Wall
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Doberman Dihedral World of Hurt B… > Husky Boulder
 17
V2 5+ Boulder
● Husky World of Hurt B… > Husky Boulder
 15
V5 6C Boulder
● Twin Cracks Lower Grotto Wall
 156
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
● Grotto Wall Traverse Lower Grotto Wall
 43
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 3 pitches
● Plaque Right Second Grotto Wall
 27
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Brainwashed Nude Buttress
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Inner Worlds Third Grotto Wall
 8
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 2 pitches
● Cryogenics Lower Grotto Wall
 157
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
● One for the Road Lower Grotto Wall
 84
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
● The Zebra Second Grotto Wall
 11
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Sport
● Victims of Fashion Lower Grotto Wall
 16
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad, Sport 3 pitches
● Headless Crankin' Chicken Lower Grotto Wall
 4
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
● Tarzan Lower Grotto Wall
 5
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport 2 pitches
● Scene of the Crime Lower Grotto Wall
 12
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
● Before There Were Nine Lower Grotto Wall
 5
5.13+ 8b 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Grotto Walls Area »

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