The Best View
Comes After the
Hardest Climb
The Grand Valley is a unique epicenter for rock climbing, boasting breathtaking beauty, diverse terrain, convenient access, a range of climbing styles, and a welcoming community. It is also adjacent to the world renowned Rifle Mountain Park and the stunning crack climbing in Moab.
Where to
Climb
With the endless crack climbing routes and boulders in Unaweep Canyon, the sandstone cliffs of Escalante Canyon, the granite canyon walls and sandstone blocks in Grand Junction, or the desert cracks and towering spires in the Colorado National Monument, something is sure to call your name!
Unaweep Canyon
Colorado National Monument
Escalante Canyon
Dynamite Shacks
Known for its scenic beauty and accessible climbing, D-Shacks is a favorite among locals and visitors alike as it offers a variety of problems that range from beginner-friendly to more challenging.
Easy Flake is a V0+ boulder. To get there, you’ll head start at the Dynamite Shacks parking area then look about 20′ in front of you for the Easy Block boulder.
The Millennium Falcon is a V1, 15-foot boulder. To get there, you’ll start at the Dynamite Shacks parking area and follow the first trail to the right all the way to the end where you’ll find Falcon Block.
Unaweep Canyon
One of the most premier bouldering destinations in Colorado with more problems (1,000+) than at either of the more famous Joe’s Valley in Utah or Hueco Tanks in Texas.
The Mark of Zorro climb is a V5, 18-foot boulder. To get there, you take Highway 50 onto CO Highway 141 until you reach the Fossil Boulder. From there, you’ll see the Right Plethora boulder on your right which is where you’ll find the Mark of Zorro climb.
Sage Truth is a V2, 20-foot boulder. To get there, you’ll head up Nine Mile Hill to the Dave Loves Donna Boulders, to Royal Rock. Sage Truth is located on the west face of Royal Rock
The Sun Drains Heavy is a V2, 12-foot boulder. To get there, you’ll start at Nine Mile Hill and make your way to Mecca Boulder Area, then to Pink Floyd Area, and finally to Two Balloons Boulder.
There are just a few of the classics, for a more extensive list, visit Mountain Project
Colorado National Monument
Medicine Man – Sentinel Spire 5.12a 4 Pitches
Long Dong Wall – Kissing Couple 5.11 5 Pitches
100’ Hands – Tiara Rado 5.10b
Otto’s Route – Independence Monument 5.8+ 5 Pitches
Escalante Canyon
Key Hole – Interior Walls Area 5.10a/b
Willy’s Hand Jive – Island 5.10
S Crack – Cabin Wall 5.10+
The Curve – Zappa Wall 5.10+
Rednekk Justus – Cabin Wall 5.11
Interiors – Interiors Walls Area 5.8
Unaweep Canyon
Sweet Sunday Serenade – Access Fund Trail 5.9 3 Pitches
Questions and Answers – Mother’s Buttress 5.10+ 3 Pitches
Please note: Upper Unaweep Granite is a rope climbing area whereas Lower Unaweep Sandstone is mostly bouldering with some single pitch roped climbs.
Upcoming Events
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501
Community Partners
Indoor Climbing Gyms
Guides
Retailers
Associations
Conservation & Stewardship
Rentals
Online Maps/Routes
Regional Guidebooks
- Bouldering Unaweep Canyon: Volume 1 by David Lloyd
- Classic Desert Climbs by Fred Knapp
- Colorado Bouldering: Mountains and Western Slope by Phillip Benningfield
- Desert Rock: Rock Climbs in the National Parks by Eric Bjornstad
- Desert Rock III: Moab to Colorado National Monument by Eric Bjornstad
- Grand Junction Rock: Rock climbs of Unaweep Canyon and adjacent areas by K.C. Baum
- Rock Climbing Colorado (Falcon Guides) by Steven M. Green
Etiquette While Climbing
Climbing comes with responsibility – commit to The Climber’s Pact.
