Colorado · Rock climbing · Aspen

Lower Grotto Wall

Sheltered Colorado crag with varied climbing in a scenic grotto alcove.

30 routes
5.8 – 5.14c
Sport · Trad · Mixed

Is Lower Grotto Wall open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in White River National Forest. It doesn't name Lower Grotto Wall, 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 Lower Grotto Wall

Best months: June–August. 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

    31° / 3°

    8 wet

  2. Feb

    33° / 3°

    8 wet

  3. Mar

    39° / 9°

    8 wet

  4. Apr

    44° / 18°

    8 wet

  5. May

    55° / 27°

    9 wet

  6. Jun

    68° / 34°

    9 wet

  7. Jul

    73° / 39°

    12 wet

  8. Aug

    70° / 38°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    62° / 31°

    8 wet

  10. Oct

    51° / 23°

    6 wet

  11. Nov

    39° / 14°

    7 wet

  12. Dec

    31° / 6°

    7 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sugarloaf Rsvr, CO, 19.8 mi away at 9,738 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Lower Grotto Wall is a climbing area in the Aspen Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado, on land managed by the Forest Service. It sits within the cluster of Grotto walls, just 0.1 mile from both the broader Grotto Walls Area and Second Grotto Wall, so climbers can easily move between the walls in a single outing. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb here. At a nearby weather station at a similar elevation, typical July highs reach about 73°F with lows near 39°F, though July and August also average the most wet days of the year, about 12 each month. For an overnight stay, Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground is 0.3 mile away and Weller Campground is about 1.1 miles off. The Weller Lake hike, about 1.2 miles away, makes an easy addition to a climbing day.

Routes (30)

Mad ArabFA: L. Dawson, M. Kennedy, 19745.10CryogenicsFA: Glen Denny, Bill Forrest, 1966, FFA Michael Kennedy?5.10-Stand By Your VanFA: Perkins and Beidleman5.10bTwins For The RoadFA: Amos Whiting, 9/20215.10bOne for the RoadFA: M. Baker, B. Perlmutter, 19915.10cUnder PressureFA: M. Baker, B. Perimutter, L. Henderson, 19915.10cK - fightFA: Amos Whiting , June 20215.11aWire and FireFA: A. Fiorello, D. Jackson 19825.11aEspresso Love5.11cGirly ManFA: J. Fassett5.12aHeadless Franken ChickenFA: Jay Brown5.12aStage FrightFA: T. Perkins, J. Fassett5.12aStar Spangled DangleFA: Tom Perkins5.12aSpace Sluts in the SlammerFA: Charlie Fowler5.12bThe EngagementFA: Josh Gross, Madoline Wallace5.12bUnder Pressure - ExtensionFA: Chris Kalous5.12bHeadless Crankin' ChickenFA: Jay Brown, Chris Alber5.12b/cVictims of FashionFA: J. Steiger5.12b/cPea BrainFA: Lynn Hill, John Long5.12cTarzanFA: T. Perkins5.12cScene of the CrimeFA: John Steiger5.12dCrime Victim5.13aThe Knuckle HeadFA: Kurt Smith5.13aTommy's 13bFA: Tommy Caldwell5.13bBefore There Were NineFA: Tommy Caldwell, late '90s5.13cInsurrectionFA: Mark Anderson5.14cColdfusionFA: Nathan and Alex Reitsema5.8Grotto Wall TraverseFA: A. Carter, H. Carter5.8Twin CracksFA: H. Carter, C. Vogel, 19685.8Stranger Than FictionFA: BJ Sbarra, Josh Gross, Lynn Sanson5.9