The Watchtower
Watchtower, The in Colorado has 6 routes with sport and trad climbing.
- 6 routes
- 5.9 – 5.11b
- Sport · Trad
Is Watchtower, The open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 8 alerts for Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Interlaken Hotel Tree Hazards
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Sharpe Fire Update
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Turquoise Lake Road (County Road 4) Closure
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Downed and weakened trees on South Platte Ranger District
Agency alert covering South Platte Ranger District · USFS · South Platte Ranger District
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 Watchtower
Best months: June–July and 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.
Jan
38° / 9°
4 wet
Feb
40° / 10°
5 wet
Mar
48° / 18°
6 wet
Apr
54° / 23°
7 wet
May
63° / 31°
8 wet
Jun
75° / 38°
8 wet
Jul
79° / 44°
12 wet
Aug
77° / 43°
13 wet
Sep
71° / 35°
7 wet
Oct
59° / 24°
5 wet
Nov
45° / 16°
4 wet
Dec
37° / 9°
4 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bailey, CO, 21.2 mi away at 7,752 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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 Watchtower is a climbing area in the South Platte Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Workman's Wall about 0.1 mile away and Radio Head about 0.2 mile away. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bailey, CO, show July highs around 79°F with lows near 44°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 30s. The New Radio Head Rock Climbing trail is about 0.4 mile away, and Long Hollow Trail 650 is about 0.6 mile away. For an overnight stay, Devils Head Campground is about 0.9 mile away.
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: Ben Mason, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Devil's Head
~2 min drive
Devil's Head in Colorado has 57 climbing routes across 25 difficulty grades, offering bouldering, sport, and trad.
Photo: Ben Mason, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)West Side Wall
~2 min drive
West Side Wall in Colorado has 7 sport climbing routes across 6 difficulty grades.
Photo: Ben Mason, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)The Starcastle
~2 min drive
12 routes at Starcastle, The in Colorado, ranging from 9 difficulty grades.
Photo: Ben Mason, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Sawblade Ridge
~3 min drive
Sawblade Ridge in Colorado has 9 sport climbing routes on 7 difficulty grades.
Photo: Ben Mason, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Chicken Head Ranch
~2 min drive
Chicken Head Ranch in Colorado has 24 climbing routes with 18 difficulty grades.
Photo: Ben Mason, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)The Crimpfest Wall
~3 min drive
Crimpfest Wall, The in Colorado has 25 routes with mixed, sport, and trad climbing.
Workman's Wall
~0 min drive
Workman's Wall in Colorado has 12 climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.
Radio Head
~0 min drive
Radio Head in Colorado has 55 climbing routes ranging across 23 difficulty grades.
Anarchy Area
~1 min drive
Anarchy Area is a bouldering crag in Colorado with 1 route.
Main Area
~1 min drive
Main Area in Colorado has 6 bouldering routes on rock with 6 difficulty grades.
