Colorado · Rock climbing · Red Cliff

Gilman Canyon

Gilman Canyon in Colorado has 5 climbing routes ranging from moderate to hard.

5 routes
5.8 – 5.11d
Sport · Trad

Is Gilman Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in White River National Forest. It doesn't name Gilman Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Gilman Canyon

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° / 7°

    12 wet

  2. Feb

    33° / 9°

    11 wet

  3. Mar

    42° / 17°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    49° / 24°

    9 wet

  5. May

    60° / 31°

    9 wet

  6. Jun

    71° / 36°

    8 wet

  7. Jul

    77° / 42°

    10 wet

  8. Aug

    74° / 41°

    11 wet

  9. Sep

    67° / 34°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    54° / 25°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    38° / 15°

    9 wet

  12. Dec

    28° / 7°

    11 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Vail, CO, 9.1 mi away at 8,304 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Gilman Canyon is a climbing area in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Holy Cross Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other climbing spots, making it an easy place to string together a day on the rock. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb here. Typical averages from the nearby Vail weather station run from highs near 77°F in July to about 67°F in September, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The area has five climbing routes, with grades ranging from 5.8 to 5.11d. Spanish Silver is a trad route at 5.8, and Hemingway's Farewell is a sport route at 5.11d. The Anti-Gravity Wall and Napoleon Wall are both within a short distance, and the Kletter Garden hike starts about 0.7 miles away. For an overnight stay, Hornsilver Campground is about 1.5 miles off.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive