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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

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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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
V5 6C
 15
Husky
Boulder
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 156
Twin Cracks
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 43
Grotto Wall Traverse
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 27
Plaque Right
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 4
Brainwashed
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 8
Inner Worlds
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 157
Cryogenics
Trad 2 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 84
One for the Road
Sport
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 11
The Zebra
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 16
Victims of Fashion
Trad, Sport 3 pitches
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 4
Headless Crankin' Chicken
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 5
Tarzan
Sport 2 pitches
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 12
Scene of the Crime
Sport
5.13+ 8b 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 5
Before There Were Nine
Sport
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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