Colorado · Rock climbing · Wetmore

Hardscrabble Pass

Hardscrabble Pass is a climbing area in Colorado with 2 routes.

2 routes
5.7 – 5.10c
Trad · Sport

Is Hardscrabble Pass open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Carlos Ranger District. It doesn't name Hardscrabble Pass, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · San Carlos Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Hardscrabble Pass

Best months: May–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

    40° / 8°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    42° / 12°

    5 wet

  3. Mar

    50° / 20°

    6 wet

  4. Apr

    56° / 26°

    7 wet

  5. May

    66° / 33°

    7 wet

  6. Jun

    77° / 41°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    81° / 45°

    11 wet

  8. Aug

    78° / 44°

    11 wet

  9. Sep

    72° / 37°

    6 wet

  10. Oct

    61° / 26°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    49° / 17°

    4 wet

  12. Dec

    40° / 8°

    4 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Westcliffe, CO, 16 mi away at 7,873 ft. The station sits about 800 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.

Hardscrabble Pass is a climbing area in the San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits about 16 miles from the town of Westcliffe, which makes it an easy base for exploring the surrounding San Carlos District. The most comfortable time to visit is late spring through early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Westcliffe weather station show highs around 66°F in May and 72°F in September, with July and August reaching the low 80s. Winter is cold, with January highs around 40°F and lows near 8°F. The Titanic climbing area is just 0.3 miles away, and North Hardscrabble Creek offers canoeing about 0.7 miles off. The Wet Mountains climbing area is about a mile away. For a longer outing, the Middle Hardscrabble hike is roughly 4 miles from the pass.

Routes (2)

Captain Winter's Spire(1)

The Highway 96 Mystery Spot5.7

Tanner Rock aka Raven's Buttress(1)

The Beak5.10c

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