Colorado · Rock climbing · Glenwood Springs

Quartzite Wasteland

Quartzite Wasteland in Colorado has 9 climbing routes on quartzite rock.

9 routes

5.7 – 5.11a

Mixed · Sport · Trad

Is Quartzite Wasteland open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Green Mountain Reservoir and Ruedi boat ramps closed for the season
Agency closure covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Eagle-Thomasville (400), Burnt Mtn (506), plus NFSR 414 and 416 openings delayed to June 16
Agency closure covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
FSR 314, Crystal River Road, open but be prepared for delays
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
White River National Forest lifting fire restrictions on Friday Sept. 25
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · Order 2026 · USFS · White River National Forest

As of Oct 24, 11:45 am MDT · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Quartzite Wasteland

Best months: April–June and September–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
36° / 15°
10 wet
Feb
43° / 20°
10 wet
Mar
53° / 28°
10 wet
Apr
61° / 35°
11 wet
May
71° / 44°
10 wet
Jun
83° / 51°
7 wet
Jul
89° / 59°
7 wet
Aug
87° / 58°
9 wet
Sep
79° / 50°
8 wet
Oct
65° / 38°
8 wet
Nov
49° / 27°
8 wet
Dec
36° / 16°
9 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Shoshone, CO, 0.4 mi away at 5,992 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Quartzite Wasteland is a climbing area in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Eagle Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other climbing spots, including East Canyon, Hole Wall and Dead Horse Crag, all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is a mix of styles, with mixed routes making up the bulk of the 9 listed. The YDS grades run from 5.7 up to 5.11+, with the median at 5.10d. Among the named routes are Twig and Berries at 5.7, Loss of Innocence at 5.10d and Interstate Love Song at 5.11+. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from the nearby Shoshone weather station show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 79°F, while July averages climb to about 89°F. Nearby options include the Defiance hike about 1.2 miles away and the Grizzly Creek mountain biking area about 1.6 miles away. Glenwood Canyon Resort campground is about 3.9 miles off, and the Glenwood Springs Area fishing is about 5.7 miles away.