The Great Black North
Great Black North, The is a sport climbing area in Colorado with 25 routes.
- 25 routes
- 5.7 – 5.14a
- Sport
Best time to visit The Great Black North
Best months: June–July and 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.
Jan
39° / 5°
4 wet
Feb
41° / 7°
5 wet
Mar
49° / 15°
6 wet
Apr
55° / 21°
6 wet
May
64° / 29°
8 wet
Jun
75° / 37°
9 wet
Jul
79° / 42°
12 wet
Aug
76° / 41°
13 wet
Sep
71° / 33°
8 wet
Oct
60° / 23°
5 wet
Nov
47° / 14°
4 wet
Dec
39° / 5°
4 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Florissant Fossil Bed, CO, 18.3 mi away at 8,402 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
The Great Black North is a climbing area on Colorado state land managed by the Colorado State Land Board, about half a mile from the North End and North Gym climbing areas. It sits among several named climbing areas and other outdoor spots within a short drive, which makes it an easy addition to a broader trip in the area. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Florissant Fossil Bed weather station, about 18 miles away and roughly 1,300 feet lower, show July highs near 79°F with lows around 42°F, though that station runs warmer than the higher ground here. Winters are cold, with January highs averaging about 39°F and lows near 5°F. The closest neighbors are the North End, a climbing area about half a mile away, and the BLM Trail 5820B hike, about a mile off. North Gym, another climbing area, is also about a mile away. Banks Campground, roughly 1.6 miles away, offers a place to stay.
Routes (25)
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: Jacob Montgomery, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Vatican
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