Colorado · Rock climbing · Montrose

South Rim Routes

South Rim Routes in Colorado has 27 trad climbing routes with 14 difficulty grades.

South Rim RoutesPhoto: joannapoe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
27 routes
5.8 – 5.12c
Trad

Is South Rim Routes open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists an alert for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

  • No Water Available in Park

    Park alert covering Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park · NPS · Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit South Rim Routes

Best months: May–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.

  1. Jan

    37° / 13°

  2. Feb

    40° / 16°

  3. Mar

    49° / 23°

  4. Apr

    56° / 29°

  5. May

    66° / 38°

  6. Jun

    76° / 46°

  7. Jul

    82° / 53°

  8. Aug

    81° / 52°

  9. Sep

    72° / 44°

  10. Oct

    60° / 33°

  11. Nov

    47° / 23°

  12. Dec

    36° / 13°

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, CO, 2.4 mi away at 8,151 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

South Rim Routes is a climbing area on the south rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, managed by the National Park Service. It sits within the park's own boundaries, and a fee is charged for access. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 82°F with lows near 53°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. Several other spots lie close by. Painted Wall Overlook is about 0.2 miles away, and North Chasm View Wall and North Rim Campground are each about 0.4 miles off. Chasm View Trail is roughly half a mile away.

Routes (27)

Image of the InvisibleFA: FKA Fritz and Ophelia 12/16/185.10Steppin' OutFA: Chris Lea & Joe Cooper, 19825.10Alimony5.10+Black In ActionFA: BG, MP, BK5.10+Dragging OnFA: June 20155.10+The FlakesFA: FA: Ken Trout & Bob Sloezen, 1977 FFA: Ed Webster & Steve Hong, 19775.10+Black SnakeFA: Coyne, Reynolds?5.11El PadreFA: Jonathan Schaffer, Lindsey Schauer, Fall 20115.11Crystal VisionFA: Josh Borof, Paul Emrick5.11-Dark StarFA: Zeilman & Rees - October, 20115.11-Last PaymentFA: Jamie Holloway and Chris Lea, 1982?5.11-Astro DogFA: Robert Warren, Peter Gallagher 19865.11+FlapjackFA: Tim Kuss & James Williamson5.11+North ShoreFA: J. Ogden, T. Donahue, V. Shultz-Pelkum, 20095.11+Black Shadow AreteFA: Harvey Miller, Reggie Slavens5.11aEvent HorizonFA: Chris Kalous, Stephanie Bergner, Josh Wharton5.12Tague Yer TimeFA: Donahue, Ogden5.12Black CloudFA: R. Pizem, Righter5.12-Burl GirlFA: T. Donahue, J. Ogden5.12-Dragon RiderFA: Coyne, Reynolds?5.12-The Night is Dark and Full of TerrorsFA: Schaffer, Hughes, May 2014. FFA Schaffer, Pennings, Sept. 20155.12+The QuotaFA: Jeff Popko and Chris Righter5.12aOpen MindedFA: Matt Lisenby and Chris Righter5.12cPent UpFA: Jason Nelson, Jack Jefferies, Cody Sims5.12cGround Control to Major TomFA: Stewart Green, Dennis Jackson and Major Tom Lumen, 19805.8Way Of The AncientsFA: Paul Ross, Chris Bonington, Terry Burnell, Richard McHardy5.9BlackjackFA: Leonard Coyne and Dennis Jackson?5.9+

Facts about this crag

Rules & access

Fee
Yes

Source: National Park Service API

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