Colorado · Rock climbing · Norwood

Clay Creek Crag

Clay Creek Crag in Colorado has 19 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

19 routes

5.8 – 5.12c

Sport · Trad · Mixed

Is Clay Creek Crag open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Clay Creek Crag, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

Gold Mountain Wildfire Roads and Trails Closure Order v 4.0
Agency closure covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Ophir Pass Road Closure
Agency closure covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
TERMINATION OF ORDER - FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Agency alert covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Dallas Area Closure order
Agency alert covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Island Lake Road Closure
Agency alert covering Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests · USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

As of Oct 22, 9:10 pm MDT · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Clay Creek Crag

Best months: May–October. 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.

Jan
39° / 13°
5 wet · 5 snow
Feb
43° / 18°
5 wet · 4 snow
Mar
52° / 25°
5 wet · 3 snow
Apr
59° / 31°
5 wet · 2 snow
May
69° / 38°
5 wet
Jun
81° / 46°
4 wet
Jul
85° / 53°
8 wet
Aug
82° / 51°
10 wet
Sep
75° / 44°
8 wet
Oct
62° / 34°
6 wet · 1 snow
Nov
50° / 23°
5 wet · 3 snow
Dec
39° / 14°
4 wet · 5 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Norwood, CO, 3.6 mi away at 7,020 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Clay Creek Crag is a climbing area in the Norwood Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits within the national forest's boundaries, about 3.6 miles from the Norwood weather station, which makes it a convenient reference for planning a visit. The most comfortable months for a trip are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the Norwood station show May highs around 69°F and September highs around 75°F, while July and August run warmer, with highs in the low to mid 80s and more wet days. Several other outdoor spots lie within a short drive. Horsefly is a hike about 4.4 miles away, and the San Miguel River offers canoeing about 5.7 miles off. Mountain bikers can head to Mckee Draw, also about 5.7 miles away, and the Flat Iron Loop hike is roughly 5.8 miles from the crag.