What to do around Breck?

Headed to Breck this weekend for some non-climbing related activities but have time one day to get out. I'm looking for recommendations in the area. So far I have limited my choices down to either: Lime Creek, Keystone/Montezuma or Ra. Is there anything easier than 5.11 to start on at Ra? Even one 5.10 pitch at the bottom might suffice. Am I going to be disappointed by the above crags or am I missing some other gem? Willing to hop on sport or trad.
Thanks,
Dan

If you're down with alpine choss, the Inwood is there on Quandary

Hi Dan,

There are a few 5.10 pitches at Ra. Some of the multipitch 5.11 and 5.12 lines start with a 5.9 or 5.10 pitch, which you should be able to rap off from (e.g. Empire of the Air, Higher Calling, and Windows on the World). I haven't climbed all the routes there, but the ones I've been on have bolted belay stations.

The Halidome is near Ra (same trailhead, but branch west). From the route descriptions on MP, it looks like you could similarly climb some 5.10 early pitches then rap off, though I haven't been there yet so perhaps someone else can offer more info on Halidome.

My friends really like Lime Creek, and I'm hoping to check out that place sometime soon. If you go there, let us know what you think it it.

-Kat

From Breck, Lime Park is gonna be about 2 hours away and the road is pretty bad. I would say that Empire is going to be your best bet. Goat Rock has some good routes as well as Ra.

The author of the Summit County Guide book does not recomend any of the routes in Summit County. Seriously. There is some good bouldering to be found. Check out the page on this site. Ra is about 1 hour from Breck. If you are going to travel that far you might as well go to Monitor Rock just South of Leadville. Great rock in beautiful location.

Or just go the the Breck Brewery and Drink! Seriously.

Google maps keeps telling me Independence Pass is 2.5 hours away from Breck. Is that correct? Is Monitor Rock closer? Thanks everyone for your input.
Dan

man, you know what'd probably work as being closer is some dry tooling at Vail, if you're into that

Grim, I'm in the same situation this weekend.
What other bouldering spots besides Frisco Buttress?
Evans is probably the best bet huh?

Buff wrote:
man, you know what'd probably work as being closer is some dry tooling at Vail, if you're into that

That sounds painful....

If I remember correctly, Monitor rock is closer. Plus, it's a beautiful drive.You can camp too. You can also check out Eleven Mile Canyon. I loved climbing there when I lived in Summit County. IMHO, I think the rock at Keystone is fun. It's a good hike, a little steep, but not bad,especially,if you don't feel like driving. Have fun and be safe.. : )

I lived in Summit for a few years as a climber. There are a couple of bouldering options: Swan Meadows (off Swan Mtn Road that runs between Keystone and Breck) is a good option for a quick sesh. Its a little sandstone area with a lot of good moderate boulder problems, some traverses and a few harder lines up to v6. I think there are beta and directions in Benningfields Colorado Bouldering vol 1.

The best and closest bouldering I used to go to, after work all the time, is the Klutter Garden in Red Cliff (just outside Minturn). That place is well worth a day or even a weekend. Its got a very short approach and killer granite boulders, in an Aspen forest, with great landings. Its about 45 minutes drive from Breck.

If you aren't down to boulder, the Keystone/Montezuma sport routes others have mentioned in this forum (Its called Haus Rock) is well worth a sesh. The back side has about 6 routes that are slabby, and range from 5.8-5.11, but all fun (I remember a really good 10c). The overhanging front side has a killer 12a called the Crystal Freeway, and some sick hard 5.13's too. All you need up there is a rope and a dozen draws.

Let me know if you want any other beta

Monitor Rock is closer than Independence Pass. Maybe 2 hours if IP is 2.5?

Crags at Camp Hale, Monitor, cragging just north of Buena Vista. Monitor is great, new blog post at splitterchoss.com regarding Monitor, easy 5-10 minute approach off of 82 just west of Twin Lakes. Hit High Mountain Pies in Leadville for pizza on the way back to Breck.

Haus Rock near keystone has some fun little sport routes, including summit county's only 5.13. The hummingbird boulders just to the south of it are a super rad, you guessed it, bouldering area with some unique problems, friggin huge ancient trees, and a beautiful setting. The bouldering park off of swan mountain rd is okay, but not really a destination. Quandry has some better-than-choss short routes on it's south side near the damn.

When I lived up there we bouldered for the most part, a 40ft sport route can be more annoying than anything. You could of course bring a mountain bike, that's what breck's all about in the summer man, world class in that respect.

It should be about one and a half hours from Breck to Monitor Rock.

Cecil Bluffs up by Copper Mtn has some nice sport climbing on good rock. Fast to get to it as well. Info is in the summit rock guide. Wilderness Sports usually have copies.

Cecil Rock is nice but doesn't give you a wide range. If you want some nice, well protected, sport routes head up to haus rock. A range of 5.6 to 5.13, with something from every grade easily makes up for the 20 minute up hill approach. There is rarely a big crowd here too. If you want trad pick a mountain, or head to Buena Vista or The Independence pass area. Independence Pass is incredibly worth just checking out for the views themselves, and is only about and hour and a half away.

I would agree that I pass is worth it if you are already in the area. Also, if you are interested in some adventure climbing, Redcliff has great access via the railroad tracks, and Mount Royal in Frisco can give you a day of route finding, just bring your helmet.

Not to be a smart ass....but. The local crags seem to be 1 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours. Eldo is an hour and 20. Just a thought.

Greg D wrote:Not to be a smart ass....but. The local crags seem to be 1 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours. Eldo is an hour and 20. Just a thought.

I noticed that too. Some destinations are 2- 2 1/2 hours away, which could get him to tons of Colorado crags; which really has nothing to do with being in Breckinridge at all. For one thing, to climb at Indy Pass (which is worthy), you will drive right past Monitor, and keep going on, up, and over the east side of the pass. And then down the other side a ways too. Its like: "hey, just moved to Ft. Collins for school..", "why, you should try Shelf Road!".

If you want to maximize the fact you are in B-Ridge, either mountain bike or 4-wheel for the day. That is what is best about that part of the state.

Haus Rock: medium trudge uphill to a granite blob surrounded by hordes of cigarette smoking 20-somethings who seem to be maniacally trying to kill time until ski season.

Monitor Rock or Gilman Canyon.

Mike Lane wrote:If you want to maximize the fact you are in B-Ridge, either mountain bike or 4-wheel for the day. That is what is best about that part of the state.

Or climb--as in hike--nearby 14ers. Grays, Torreys, and Quandary come to mind. Oh, and Bierstadt.