Eldorado Canyon rock climbing
Experience the Classics!
No other area in Colorado is so steeped in climbing history. "Eldo", as the locals call it, is jam packed with tremendous amounts of rock climbing on beautiful, bullet hard Fountain sandstone. Some of the countries hardest rock climbs were at one time established on the stunning canyon walls. Redgarden Wall is the tallest in the canyon sitting over 700 feet above the river and provides incredible multi-pitch climbing. Tiny edges, intermittent cracks, and delicate traverses make for some of the best climbing in Colorado.
We guide many other routes in Eldo besides the classics listed below. Please Contact Us if you have your heart set on a certain route and we can make it happen. Let one of our guides show you around this incredible climbing destination!
Swanson Arete
A beginners classic! This route has everything from exposed faces to delightful chimney climbing. Incredible views await as you summit Lumpe Tower!
Description
Swanson Arete is the beginners classic, however, climbers of all abilities enjoy this route! Five wandering pitches up Redgarden Wall put you on an incredible summit with views of Denver, Boulder, and the mountains. With many different variations of climbing, you're bound to never climb this route the same way twice.
After topping out Lumpe Tower, a short hike down the backside of Redgarden Wall leads to three rappels back to the ground.
More information:
-
Recommended experience level: beginner to advanced
-
This is a semi-strenuous climb
-
6 pitches, 5.6
-
Priced as a Full Day
Price Includes
-
A professionally trained and/or certified AMGA guide
-
All necessary climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, belay devices, ropes, and protection
-
Professional guiding and instruction throughout the entire day
Price Excludes
-
Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
-
Gratuity
-
Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
-
Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Highlights
-
A very cool summit climb!
-
An awesome way to see Eldorado Canyon State Park
-
Varied and unique climbing ranging from chimney/crack to exposed face climbing
-
A great warm-up hike up the west side of Redgarden Wall
-
A good introduction to rock climbing in Eldorado Canyon
The Bastille Crack
One of the most famous climbs in Colorado. This is as good as climbing gets! 5 pitches of crack and face climbing with tickling exposure.
Description
This is hands down the most famous route in Eldorado Canyon State Park. And for good reason! A very short hike up the road from the parking area puts you at the base of the Bastille. Near vertical face and crack climbing leads to the top of this incredible formation. A short scramble off the backside of the Bastille and you're back at your car.
The Bastille Crack is a very popular route. Please come with a little patience as not all parties climb the same speed.
More information:
-
Recommended experience level: intermediate to advanced
-
This is a semi-strenuous climb
-
5 pitches, 5.7
-
Priced as a Full Day
Price Includes
-
A professionally trained and/or certified AMGA guide
-
All necessary climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, belay devices, ropes, and protection
-
Professional guiding and instruction throughout the entire day
Price Excludes
-
Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
-
Gratuity
-
Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
-
Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Highlights
-
A moderate route up an incredible formation
-
One of the most classic climbs in the country
-
5 to 6 pitches of spectacular climbing on polished edges and steep cracks
-
An up-close view of the old Ivy Baldwin tightrope
-
A very short approach and descent
Rewritten
This classic is bound to take your breath away as you follow a striking knife-edge into the sky! 6 pitches of varied climbing to an awesome summit.
Description
Another classic that is bound to take your breath as you step onto Rebuffat's Arete! This moderate route follows cracks and corner systems to a steep, exposed ridge. Straddle the ridge and don't forget to look down!
An ascent of Rewritten does involve lots of hiking, both on the approach and descent.
More information:
-
Recommended experience level: intermediate to advanced
-
This is a semi-strenuous climb
-
6 pitches, 5.8
-
Priced as a Full Day
Price Includes
-
A professionally trained and/or certified AMGA guide
-
All necessary climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, belay devices, ropes, and protection
-
Professional guiding and instruction throughout the entire day
Price Excludes
-
Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
-
Gratuity
-
Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
-
Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Highlights
-
Incredible exposure
-
No rappels necessary
-
6 pitches of spectacular climbing on crisp edges and crack systems
-
The crux is an airy and exposed hand traverse
Ruper
One of our favorite moderates in the canyon! 6 pitches of steep enjoyable climbing will leave you awestruck, especially as you begin the infamous Ruper Traverse.
Description
This long moderate classic is one of our favorite multipitch routes in Eldorado Canyon State Park. An ascent of Ruper involves lots of scrambling, airy traverses, and steep jug hauling. Both the lower and upper traverses are sure to grab your attention as you delicately step over the void beneath your feet.
After topping out in the Ruper Saddle, 3 rappels and a little hiking bring you back to the base.
More information:
-
Recommended experience level: intermediate to advanced
-
This is a strenuous climb
-
6 pitches, 5.8+
-
Priced as a Full Day
Price Includes
-
A professionally trained and/or certified AMGA guide
-
All necessary climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, belay devices, ropes, and protection
-
Professional guiding and instruction throughout the entire day
Price Excludes
-
Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
-
Gratuity
-
Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
-
Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Highlights
-
One of our favorite routes in Eldorado Canyon
-
This is a very adventurous day
-
6 pitches of spectacular climbing on crisp edges, crack systems, steep jugs, and exhilarating traverses
-
Some of the best climbing photos in the canyon
The Yellow Spur
The Eldo Classic! Good enough to climb multiple times, this route has it all. Hard, steep, and exposed climbing to a spectacular summit!
Description
This is the classic route to climb in Eldo! First climbed by Kor and Dornan in the late 1950's (in hiking boots), this route still has a reputation as being a little spicy. 6 pitches drops you on top of Tower 1 with amazing views in all directions.
Come climb a piece of Colorado history as you pull the crux of the route high above the ground with nothing but air under your feet!
More information:
-
Recommended experience level: intermediate to advanced
-
This is a strenuous climb
-
6 pitches, 5.9+
-
Priced as a Full Day
Price Includes
-
A professionally trained and/or certified AMGA guide
-
All necessary climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, belay devices, ropes, and protection
-
Professional guiding and instruction throughout the entire day
Price Excludes
-
Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
-
Gratuity
-
Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
-
Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Highlights
-
Easily one of the best routes in the canyon!
-
This is a very adventurous day with steep, pumpy climbing and incredible exposure
-
The final pitch is an exposed knife edge ridge to the summit of Tower 1
-
Airy belay stances and lots of exposure
Outer Space
Ready for lift off? The 1st two pitches of the Bastille lead to dead vertical 5.10 climbing up corners and mega exposed faces.
Description
This route deservedly lives up to its name! The first two pitches of the Bastille Crack lead to dead vertical 5.10 climbing up corners and mega exposed faces. This is why we climb!
This is a very exposed route up the north face of the Bastille formation. The views from the top are worth the difficult climbing!
More information:
-
Recommended experience level: advanced
-
This is a very strenuous climb
-
5 pitches, 5.10b
-
Priced as a Full Day
Price Includes
-
A professionally trained and/or certified AMGA guide
-
All necessary climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, belay devices, ropes, and protection
-
Professional guiding and instruction throughout the entire day
Price Excludes
-
Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
-
Gratuity
-
Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
-
Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Highlights
-
Climb the best pitches of the Bastille Crack as a warm up
-
Tremendous exposure on the final headwall pitch
-
5 to 6 pitches of spectacular climbing up corners and crack systems
-
A 5 minute approach from the parking area
Prices
1 Person = $220*
2 People = $170*
3 People = $150*
4 People = $130*
5 People = $110*
6-10 People = $95*
10+ People = Please call for large group rates
*Price is per person
-
Up to 4 hours in length
-
Custom tailored guided climbing and instruction
-
Perfect for: learning and practicing new climbing skills or individuals and groups looking for single pitch climbing
-
Offered at both 8am and 1pm (we highly recommend the 8am time slot to avoid afternoon weather
1 Person = $300*
2 People = $200*
3 People = $180*
4 People = $160*
5 People = $140*
6-10 People = $120*
10+ People = Please call for large group rates
*Price is per person
-
Up to 8 hours in length
-
Custom tailored guided climbing and instruction
-
Perfect for: multi-pitch climbing or large groups looking to maximize their time climbing
-
Necessary for areas with long approaches
-
Typical start time is 8am
1 Person = $270*
2 People = $185*
3 People = $160*
4+ People = $150*
*Price is per person
-
Up to 6 hours in length
-
Custom tailored guided climbing and instruction
-
Perfect for an introduction to multi-pitch climbing or smaller routes
-
Typical start time is 8am; however, an earlier start may be required to beat weather and crowds
1 Person = $470*
2 People = $300*
3+ People = $330*
*Price is per person
-
8-12 hours in length
-
Typical start time is before sunrise
-
Great for many of the classic alpine routes
1 Person = $670*
2 People = $520*
*Price is per person
-
12+ hours in length
-
Pre-sunrise starts required
-
Large alpine routes such as Long's Peak
1 Person = $400*
2 People = $300*
3+ People = $280*
*Price is per person
-
8-10 hours in length
-
Predawn start times are normally required
-
Perfect for longer moderate routes with large approaches
You May Also Like
Castleton Tower
This is the iconic desert tower! 400 feet of the most enjoyable climbing leave you high above the ground with stunning sights in all directions.
Climb a Flatiron
One of Boulder's most iconic rock climbs. Climb over 1,000 feet of beautiful red sandstone and enjoy a view like no other!
The Maiden
One of the most adventurous routes you will ever climb! 360 degree views lead to a thrilling free hanging rappel. Truly, a wild adventure!
"I went rock climbing for the very first time and 20 feet up decided I'd made the wrong decision but Ben got me up that mountain and now I can't wait to go again! I love that everything is provided and all I had to bring was the willingness to have fun and try something new."
Kym B.