FALL 2025 ROCK CLIMBING
Southwest Colorado is a climber’s mecca, from high alpine rock climbing to desert towers.
Fall in Colorado is every climber’s favorite season. Warm September days at alpine crags, cool October days in the canyons, and chasing the November sun to the desert are just part of the climbing life in the Mountain West.
Telluride, the magical hamlet tucked high into the San Juan Mountains, has some of the best single and multi-pitch climbing in the state. From the multi-pitch routes near Bridal Veil Falls on Pipeline Wall and Falls Wall to the granite-like walls of Ophir, Telluride is a great multi-pitch climbing destination in September and the first half of October.
Pulling moves on the Waterfall Wall on Red Mountain Pass, high above Ouray, Colorado.
Ouray has a wide variety of single and multi-pitch climbing. September usually means chasing the shade at Overlook Wall, Pool Wall Alcove, and Ridgway Dike Wall, while alpine multi-pitch routes on Waterfall Wall can be climbed comfortably due to their high elevation. Late October and November is the perfect time for the sunny crags of the Pool Wall and Ice Rink Wall. and sunny multi-pitch walls like the red Sandias Wall above town and the classic 5.8 “Princess Ella’s”.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison offers advanced climbers the adventure of a lifetime.
Nearby, the committing and difficult multi-pitch trad routes of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison are in prime condition from late September through early November. For experienced climbers only, The Black is one of my favorite places to climb in the world!
Climbing the serene granite of Unaweep Canyon, Colorado.
Unaweep Canyon’s sunny granite is a great fall destination, offering splitter granite cracks akin to those found in Yosemite Valley. Near Grand Junction, Unaweep offers excellent climbing for all abilities. It’s also a good place to focus on crack climbing skills.
Desert towers, like the wild summit pinnacle of Ancient Art shown here, are only found in Moab, Utah.
Moab, Utah is home to the famous Wingate Sandstone and desert towers that stick up like tombstones into the sky. Whether you climb 5.4 or 5.10, there’s a tower climb for everyone. And, the single-pitch climbing in Moab is pretty great too. I enjoy climbing here in October and November.
Eldorado Canyon, near Boulder, is one of the most fun places to climb in Colorado.
The canyons above Boulder, Colorodo also offer climbing well into November most years. Eldorado Canyon is world-famous for multi-pitch trad routes, while Boulder Canyon offers granite climbing and short approaches. Lumpy Ridge, near Estes Park, has fantastic granite multi-pitch crack climbing as well.
No matter your ability level, Colorado has a climbing destination that you’ll love this fall. Get in touch for more details or to inquire about which venue is the right match for your goals.