Colorado · Rock climbing · Nathrop

Cat Scratch Wall

Cat Scratch Wall in Colorado has 7 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

7 routes
5.9+ – 5.12c
Trad · Sport · Mixed

Is Cat Scratch Wall open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 7 alerts for Pike and San Isabel National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Cat Scratch Wall

Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    29° / -8°

    8 wet

  2. Feb

    33° / -5°

    8 wet

  3. Mar

    40° / 4°

    8 wet

  4. Apr

    47° / 18°

    8 wet

  5. May

    58° / 29°

    8 wet

  6. Jun

    69° / 36°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    72° / 42°

    11 wet

  8. Aug

    70° / 41°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    64° / 34°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    54° / 25°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    40° / 13°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    28° / -4°

    8 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Taylor Park, CO, 20.1 mi away at 9,179 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Cat Scratch Wall is a climbing area in the Salida Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots and outdoor destinations, which makes it an easy addition to a day or longer trip in this corner of the national forest. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Taylor Park weather station run to highs around 72°F in July, with lows near 42°F, while winter highs there stay in the 20s and low teens. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the wall, so temperatures on the wall tend to run a little cooler. Cascade Boulders is less than a mile away, and Cascade Campground is about 0.9 miles off, so climbers can pair a day on the wall with an overnight stay. Chalk Lake Fishing Site and the Mount Antero hike both lie within about 2 miles.

Routes (7)