Grand County / Fraser Valley Climbing

Often, climbers will ask if there is any climbing in Grand County? The answer is yes; however, there isn't as much as most climbers who venture there would like. Nonetheless, there are various crags with a smattering of routes in the vicinity tucked in that go unnoticed by the passing climber. There is rock that occasionally catches the eye as one drops down off of Berthoud Pass on the west side of US 40. So, let's start a section on this neglected area and see what comes out of the woodwork.

There are at least 5 modest-sized, gneiss crags (Hurd Creek's Upper Cliff, First Cliff, Lower Cliff, SDM Wall, and Trail Creek) and 50 routes in the 5.6-5.12 range covered in Jim Shaw's Fraser Valley Climbs available for [$20] in Fraser on Main Street. There is at least another crag or two nearby.

Grand County lies north of Berthoud Pass and west of the Continental Divide. Much of the land is either Arapaho National Forest or Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) or Indian Peak Wilderness (IPW). For this area, we'll exclude RMNP & IPW, since that is covered elsewhere on the site.

Note that this particular valley seems to be in the peculiar position of having its moisture dried out near Steamboat Springs and Rabbit Ears Pass and can see less than expected precipitation.

The temperatures can be warm during the hottest stretches despite the 9000' altitudes. The sun can be strong under blue skies. Flies and mosquitos are native to these parts. So, come prepared.

Some of these crags are accessible even in the winter by the determined who ski or snowshoe into the crags.