Slab Climbs in Colorado

I love slab climbing. For me it embodies everything that I love about climbing in general. I've already got a good to-do list going, and have dug through some old forums as well, but looking for any suggestions on the best slab climbing in Colorado. Grades matter little. These don't have to be critically acclaimed as classics, maybe just a route that you personally loved when nobody else did. Or, a route that was so wonderfully slabby that you hated it, depending on who you are I suppose. If you don't want to publicly post an area and risk increased traffic, feel free to shoot me a message, or obviously you're welcome to keep it to yourself. Luckily there doesn't seem to be too many lines to hop on slabs these days, though. Bonus points for pure friction routes, obscurity, and double bonus points for climbs with notable history behind them. 

pretty much the whole South Platte

I absolutely detest slab, but The Monastery seems like a great place for it. I hated climbing there the one time I tried, so you'll probably love it!

Tabula Rasa (5.10d) is a super classic, photogenic slab there.

Check out Real Hidden Valley in CCC - approach is a pain, but the rock feels different from other CCC crags and you’ll likely have it all to yourself. Reminiscent of Jurassic Park near Estes. I hated it, but could see a slab aficionado enjoying it if you can put up with crumbly/licheny rock. Probably gets good sun now too.

Oh, I also truly hated Red Rock Canyon Open Space, if you want some sandstone slab.

You really want to shit yourself, try your hand (or feet)  at some of the old school slab routes in the Garden of the Gods.  Be prepared for horrible friction,  and 1 pin that’s certain to rip, about every 150ft or so.

Best of luck.  Have fun and be safe.

p.s I second the whole S. Platte recommendation 

Birds of fire 

Stained Glass, Tales of Power, Journey to Ixtlan, and parts of Rock Odyssey in Dream Canyon

Panic in the Grey Room in South St. Vrain.

EDIT:  And The Scientist on Plotinus Wall

For fun routes with good sharp and thin holds and feet on good rock I really like these:

Upside The Cranium (5.10)  - St Vrain Canyon

Chairman of the Board( 5.11) , The Clipboard (5.11) - Boulder Canyon

Dan Cookseywrote:

You really want to shit yourself, try your hand (or feet)  at some of the old school slab routes in the Garden of the Gods.  Be prepared for horrible friction,  and 1 pin that’s certain to rip, about every 150ft or so.

Best of luck.  Have fun and be safe.

p.s I second the whole S. Platte recommendation 

GOTG is not quite that runout, but yes, the climbs can be sporty. At least they were when I climbed there in the late 70's.

I love me some slab climbing! Big Rock Candy Mountain is heaven for slabs. The last 2 pitches of that new route Bullet Train (?) are the best pure friction slabs I've done in Colorado. They would both be single pitch classics at any crag. Also, Camouflage and Green Willow Wall in Eldo rank as some of the finest slabs I've done in Colorado.

Anything on Big Rock Candy Mountain. . . 

Possibility Slab at Mt. Evans 

Not technically a slab the whole way but I recommend Wham Ridge on Vestal Peak for the whole experience.

Thanks for the suggestions! I learned to climb in the SPlatte, so I'm decently familiar with that territory, and also adore the sandstone down by GOTG and Red Rock Open Space. I hadn't heard of the slabs up at the Monastery, I only ever hear about steep Tommy routes over there, psyched to check it out! Birds of Fire has been towards the top of the list for a minute now. @Prav C here I was thinking I'd been to all the obscure crags in CCC, I'll put Real Hidden Valley on the list, it sounds right up my alley. Anyone have any particularly gnarly FA stories attached to some less than vertical rock? Always looking for more history behind routes. 

Crack of Noon Wall at Devils Head is a fun day's worth.

Thought provoking, puzzle solving slab. 

Kate Sedrowskiwrote:

Oh, I also truly hated Red Rock Canyon Open Space, if you want some sandstone slab.

Haha same. Went there once to try it out. Left with no desire to return.

Buck snort slab

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/111848546/forbidden-fruit

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/106662149/frisky-puppies

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/109634398/west-crag

and Vedauwoo not CO but close:

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105752221/space-oddity-aka-significant-local

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/106811001/orange-christmas

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/107133606/nemos-nemesis

Some more off the beaten path areas (all in the Splatte)

Jackson Creek Dome

Scorpio Dome and The Kennels 

Helen's Dome

Little Scraggy Dome

Sheep Rock

Better Lock Next Time but tons of scary hairy slabe's in the South Splatte