Winter Park Colorado Rock Climbing

Winter Park Colorado
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> Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing

Known more for its biking and skiing, Winter Park nonetheless serves up rock climbing and mountaineering in a high-alpine setting for those willing to search it out.

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  • Winter Park's two closest rock climbing areas are Hurd Creek and the Empire crags.
  • Contact a local outdoor store for the rock climbing book and current conditions.
  • Further afield in Rocky Mountain National Park, find classic mountaineering routes on Longs Peak.

Overview

Winter Park is near two developed rock climbing crags and several intermediate mountaineering options.

Where to go climbing & mountaineering

  • Hurd Creek – Located off a side road between Winter Park and Granby, over two dozen bolted routes crowd Hurd Creek's south and west faces.
  • Empire Crags – A dozen different sport, trad and bouldering crags dot the massive rock faces above the town of Empire, about 30 minutes southeast of Winter Park.
  • Berthoud Pass – Popular with backcountry skiers, Berthoud, accessed directly from Highway 40 between Winter Park and Interstate 70, also offers a lot of beginner-intermediate mountaineering routes.
  • Longs Peak – Head further afield to Rocky Mountain National Park for legendary mountaineering, including multiple rock routes via The Diamond and snow/ice climbing in the Notch Couloir.

Guided Tours & Rentals

For detailed rock climbing route information and local guide referrals, contact one of the Winter Park-area outdoor stores on this page.

In the Spotlight

Other Rock Climbing Resources

The Colorado Mountain Club

The Colorado Mountain Club has a mountaineering center that has a library, holds conferences and educational events, and sets up a climbing wall. The club plans events and outings for climbers and mountaineers in Colorado.