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English Valley

Colorado > San Luis Valley

Description

This beautiful, south-facing sport wall in the San Luis Valley features steep routes that are ~80 feet long.

The routes are still cleaning up - helmets and mindful belay locations are recommended (don't stand directly under the climber).

Raptors & red-tail hawks nest here late spring through early summer. We've seen remnants of violent & aggressive projectile raptor poos all over the base of the cliff towards the end of raptor closures. Please avoid this crag during raptor season. The closure is generally from mid-May through mid-July.

Getting There

High clearance is recommended but not necessary. 

From County Road 15, turn north onto FS 665. The 665 is unmarked, and the turn will sneak up on you. If coming from the east, look for the left turn after a stop sign on your left.

Drive 3 miles, and veer left to stay on FS 665. Drive another 2.5 miles on the road, and the wall will be on your right.

Routes from Left to Right

5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 5
● Me, Tarzan
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 9
● Big Monkey Left
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 6
● Big Monkey Right
Sport
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 7
● Unnamed
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Me, Tarzan
 5
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Big Monkey Left
 9
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
● Big Monkey Right
 6
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Unnamed
 7
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Note the car in the distance for scale. What a gorgeous place (and really fun routes)!
[Hide Photo] Note the car in the distance for scale. What a gorgeous place (and really fun routes)!
John Wesley halfway through the 1-minute approach to this beautiful wall.
[Hide Photo] John Wesley halfway through the 1-minute approach to this beautiful wall.
Crag and Wes, for scale.
[Hide Photo] Crag and Wes, for scale.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

James M
Colorado Springs, CO
[Hide Comment] Fantastic climbing! Thanks for putting these routes up and posting. There is a red tailed hawk on the upper right corner of the cliff. He checked us out throughout the day but didn't seem too bothered by climbers.

Definitely wear a helmet - this was the best chossy climbing I have been on. Really great movement on fantastic rock.

BE CAREFUL OF LOW VEHICLES! The road is not bad getting to it but is highly vegetated in places. Fires have been known to start by grass touching your catalytic converter. Honestly, I recommend keeping a fire extinguisher in the car if you come to climb here when it is dry. May 23, 2022
b hof
Fort Collins, CO
[Hide Comment] A red-tailed hawk nest has been confirmed at English Valley for the second year in a row, please do not climb out here from February 15th to July 15th. Red-tailed hawks have been documented to abandon their nest from human activities/disturbances. May 16, 2023
Doug Clark
[Hide Comment] Please respect the nesting red-tailed hawks. Red-tailed hawks have been documented to abandon their nest from human activities/disturbances. Jun 12, 2023