Basics
- Location
- Western Colorado near Rifle
- Season:
- Summer to early winter
- Rock Type:
- Limestone
- Hazards:
- Wet rock
- Routes:
- Years
Basic Directions
Description
Rifle Mountain Park is an incredible climbing destination but not for the weak of heart or forearms. The climbing here is considered to be some of the most advanced and technical sport climbing found in one locale. Climbing overhanging crackless limestone walls or the smooth innards of any number of caves is basically what the park offers. There are probably less than six routes in the entire park that rated less than 5.10. Also, most of the routes are very easily accessible and the limestone rock has a great consistency to it that won’t shred those precious little fingers.
Rifle Mountain Park is not the most versatile place to climb since it is almost entirely expert sport routes but it is beautiful, un-crowded, and a great place to progress. One can climb at Rifle almost year round if you’re tough enough except for in the spring when the rock gets too wet for a month or so. Ice climbing and mixed routes are also available. Check out the small agricultural town of Rifle nearby, about 6,000 people, for lodging groceries and livestock.
