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Manassa

Colorado > San Luis Valley
Warning Access Issue: Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

All the routes so far are south-facing, but the short, overhanging north side has some potential hard climbing. Not only is the rock secluded, but there are very few people in this part of Colorado. The rock is good quality volcanic and has been compared to Hueco Tanks in Texas. Most of the more than 50 routes are bolted, two pitch, sport climbs in the 5.10 or easier range. The camping is free on BLM land, and you camp at the approach to the climbs. The nearest hotel is in Alamosa, a half hour to the north. You can pick up a inexpensive guide at climbingpamphlet.com

Please be aware of the BLM raptor closure that runs from May 15th to August 31st. (It's way too hot to climb during the closure anyways so please give the birds some space and do not climb during the closure.) 

Getting There

Get on CO Highway 142 which runs parallel to the New Mexico/Colorado state line. This highway starts in San Luis on the east side and ends in Romeo on the west side. Once you cross the Rio Grande, driving west from San Luis the rocks come into view. Turn north between milepost 9 and 10. Drive north 1.5 miles down a somewhat high clearance dirt road. At the end of this road, walk uphill 10 minutes to the first climb.

GPS COORDINATES:

Turn off highway onto dirt road: 37.175577, -105.821994.
https://goo.gl/maps/edhNUcBkoVtLsJ8z5

Camping area: 37.189683, -105.805994.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Beautiful view from the crag...very nice secluded area with mostly moderate climbs. Pack a windbreaker, it's pretty exposed and windy out here.
[Hide Photo] Beautiful view from the crag...very nice secluded area with mostly moderate climbs. Pack a windbreaker, it's pretty exposed and windy out here.
Another Manassa local. Watch out for the rattlesnakes!
[Hide Photo] Another Manassa local. Watch out for the rattlesnakes!
Above the clouds in the San Luis Valley.
[Hide Photo] Above the clouds in the San Luis Valley.
One of the Manassa locals.
[Hide Photo] One of the Manassa locals.
Camping at Manassa.
[Hide Photo] Camping at Manassa.
The climbing on Lefty.
[Hide Photo] The climbing on Lefty.
Side look at Kokopelli.
[Hide Photo] Side look at Kokopelli.
Wild horses at Manassa.
[Hide Photo] Wild horses at Manassa.
Pulling the roof on the Lefty wall.
[Hide Photo] Pulling the roof on the Lefty wall.
Climbers on Robust Wall.
[Hide Photo] Climbers on Robust Wall.
Manassa from CO Highway 142.
[Hide Photo] Manassa from CO Highway 142.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Seems like the cat's officially out of the bag with this and the "guidebook" that's for sale in some places. May 1, 2014
john strand
southern colo
[Hide Comment] Awesome out there today...sunny and not much wind. Still a few tarantulas around too! Dec 7, 2014
john strand
southern colo
[Hide Comment] Looks like some BLM info boards going up at the highway entrance. Anybody know what's up ? Feb 14, 2016
[Hide Comment] I hear that the BLM has it closed for falcons from May 15 to July 15. It's a little hot to climb there this time of year, but I was hoping to keep this area under the wire. Who knows what they will do next. Mar 17, 2016
Ben Bruestle
Pueblo, CO
[Hide Comment] A bit of history on the area: the (San Luis) Valley hardmen have been trad climbing and toproping here since the 1980s. They always called the nearby town Manassa and the climbing area "Rattlesnake Hill". Dave Mazel, Alan Haverfield, Mark Johnson, Brent "Shaggy" Edelen, and Jack Hunt were among the first ascensionists. Back in the day, there were only two bolted routes. One was on the obvious trad line up the middle of the formation. It had one bolt about 25 feet up. The other was Dave Mazel's terrorfest on Kokopelli. It arcs up to the right across the concave slab with 1/4" bolts spaced 20 feet apart.

This is high desert, dispersed camping, so bring your own firewood and water. Apr 21, 2017
TrevorRoulstin
Durango, Co
[Hide Comment] According to Bob Robertson's climbing guide to the Manassa area, there is a route three feet to the right of the only tree, and this route is called "Ken 44". My friend and I climbed this on 10-5-19. At the top of this rather boring line, I encountered one of the worst hanging belays of my life. There are a pair of very corroded cold shuts at the top. At first I mistook them for being painted camouflage, but by the time I brought up my second, I realized that they were very rotten. The joint where they are welded together is a gaping pit of rust! Until these are replaced, I strongly caution any one from climbing this! That Shit Is A Death Trap! Oct 6, 2019