Colorado · Rock climbing · Buena Vista

The Rock Pile

Rock Pile, The in Colorado has 10 climbing routes across 9 grades.

10 routes
5.6 – 5.11a/b
Mixed · Trad · Sport

Is Rock Pile, The open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 7 alerts for Pike and San Isabel National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit The Rock Pile

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

    41° / 11°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    43° / 14°

    5 wet

  3. Mar

    50° / 21°

    6 wet

  4. Apr

    56° / 27°

    6 wet

  5. May

    67° / 36°

    7 wet

  6. Jun

    78° / 43°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 49°

    12 wet

  8. Aug

    80° / 47°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    74° / 40°

    8 wet

  10. Oct

    62° / 29°

    6 wet

  11. Nov

    50° / 20°

    5 wet

  12. Dec

    40° / 11°

    5 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Buena Vista 2s, CO, 3.8 mi away at 7,954 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.

The Rock Pile is a climbing area in the Salida Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits within the national forest's boundaries, about 3.8 miles from the Buena Vista weather station, which sits roughly 1,400 feet lower than the climbing area. For comfortable conditions, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the Buena Vista station show May highs around 67°F and September highs around 74°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 12 each month. Mountain bikers will find the 1450.A trail about 0.7 miles away and the Bacon Bits Trail about 0.9 miles away. Climbers can also look to Climbing Area 55, about 2 miles off, and the BV Overlook campground, about 2.5 miles away, for an overnight base.

Routes (10)