Castlewood?

Never been to the Wood. Still good conditions or is it slithering with venom wielding monsters already?

You can climb in Castlewood year round, or at least I have.

You should always be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, but I've yet to have any truly scary encounters. They are there.

Mike has told me that there are a couple of walls that have lots of snakes in summer and should be avoided, but I can't remember which ones they are.

But maybe Mike's just a big wimp? (Kidding! Castlewood is his home, he's the one that would know.)

Thanks! I can't wait to check it out.

In the many years I've climbed there I had 3 rattlesnake encounters, they can be anywhere, but usually off the beaten path on less popular crags. I thought ticks and bees were more of a problem, so I would recommend sweat pants with elastic ankle cuffs and check yourself before getting back in the car. I liked the corridor area for a spectacular day of bouldering, but many good routes are there too. It's a good area for winter, spring, and fall climbing but summer can be less pleasant. I don't know what the gate fee is anymore, but that is another strike against it, must bring cash for the fee box. - cheers & beers

I climb there fairly regularly these days. The most popular wall is the Grocery Store Walls and the Neanderthal Walls right next to it. Those two areas have well established wide trails both up to the crag as well as quite a bit of traffic, so probably less snakes there. While I haven't seen snakes there this year, you still should be on the lookout. Also, current entry fee is $7 per carload. If going to the Grocery Store Walls or Neantherthal Walls, best entry is from the North Entrance (down Castlewood Canyon road just to the west of Franktown), and you'll want exact change because there is rarely a ranger at the pay station there.

Thanks for the beta guys! BTW, the ticks are out in B-town like crazy!!!