Best TRS crag in Colorado?

With over 60 routes (40+ with TR anchors), and top-down access; Duncan's Ridge seems to be the new hot spot for Top Rope Solo (TRS) in NOCO.  

If you're looking to get out and get in a bunch of laps in a short amount of time, Duncan's is perfect. It's also a sunny crag, so any sunny day; the crag is 10-15 degrees warmer than actual temps. A perfect winter crag (especially this winter). The approach is short, routes are easily accessible and the rock is a pretty good mix of conglomerate and sandstone. 

Between Mtn Project and the QR code downloadable guidebook (at the trailhead sign), route info is pretty up-to-date and available.

Would highly recommend!

It’s hard to take a conversation about best TR crags in the Front Range without talking about the Quarry/East Quarry walls at North Table. A good distribution of grades while generally being hard enough to minimize the amount of folks with low survival instinct that you may encounter seemingly actively trying to end their day/life early at the wall, basically every route can also be safely led, and some legitimately great routes rather than just “great for TR”. Mellow approach - just unfortunately probably the shortest low-elevation season in the front range due to how hot it gets. But overall, probably has the highest density of high quality, top-accessible routes around

Edit: though in hindsight I’m pretty sure this thread is just a co-sign for Duncan’s Ridge and not an actual question

meh, routes are too short. my faves are BRCM and sunshine dome.

Hangin the rope at BRCM can be an adventure.

Thanks for your work up there! I can confirm it’s a pretty nice spot for a TRS for NOCO.  The newer routes that have been “established” are honestly way more fun than some of the “classics”. Highly recommend checking out the roof route area in the posted PDF if you haven’t been there as the 5.11s are great. 

What does BRCM stand for? I'm always looking for new TRS'ing crags, but I'm not picking up what that initialism is

Austin Okraywrote:

What does BRCM stand for? I'm always looking for new TRS'ing crags, but I'm not picking up what that initialism is

Big rock candy mountain. Not quite a “TRS crag” but if you can huck a couple ropes in you can pretty easily fix 400ft of moderate climbing for yourself to the summit and run laps

Check out Puff’s Lair/Walls of Honah Lee in Wonderland for a new TRS crag. We’ve done a lot of work on it in the last month and it’s a proper crag now. Short, but very easy TR access and a wide variety of grades with a quick approach and excellent rock. Mostly developed by me so probably soft grades too

I have some BRCM routes on my to-do list, I just didn't put the pieces together; thank you, and I'll have to try and check out your new TRS crag too!

Austin,  BRCM is as far from a TRS crag as it gets. The Diamond is a better TRS crag. I've put up sketchy FA's just to reach the summit, the 5.9 Tal is talking about is a full value route in itself.

I mean, if BRCM is a good option then maybe even the Black Canyon could be a great option. Drive up access. You wouldn't have to carry the 2000' of rope very far... and those approaches, zero! Ha ha.

Sorry for the not-helpful response. 

This is good info, I would've ended up being very confused about how to set up a top rope and toss a climbing day away haha

nbrownwrote:

I mean, if BRCM is a good option then maybe even the Black Canyon could be a great option. Drive up access. You wouldn't have to carry the 2000' of rope very far... and those approaches, zero! Ha ha.

Sorry for the not-helpful response. 

if you're going to huck laps on diagonal will you might want to bring a couple pieces for directionals.

in all seriousness though, with three 200m static lines and some shenanigans, BRCM is a pretty good day of f_ing around.

slimwrote:

if you're going to huck laps on diagonal will you might want to bring a couple pieces for directionals.

in all seriousness though, with three 200m static lines and some shenanigans, BRCM is a pretty good day of f_ing around.

If you’ve got 3 200m statics lying around, I’ve heard Taipei 101 is a fun day with a much closer approach depending on where you live

Bring your 100m static to The Bastille, set some directionals, and TR that thang on a Tuesday afternoon to your heart's content. 

Agreed. Duncan's Ridge in FOCO is pretty great for a quick TRS lap or all day TRS session. I can typically get in 6 pitches in an hour with the easy top-accessible anchors on most routes. Albeit the routes are only 45-50' tall. But there are some quality and challenging routes. Five minute approach. No brainer if you're local or within an hours drive. Would recommend. Just know Duncan's is a 'mostly' top-rope kind of area. There's no fixed lead protection at Duncan's. Only fixed anchors. Many routes are leadable on gear, depending on your comfort level of course. Due to the top-rope nature and easy access of this crag, the "Main area" is typically more crowded with college and gym folks newer to outdoor climbing. I'd head to the more obscure climbs if you don't like crowds. Every route is within a five minute walk of any other route at the area.