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Colorado · Rock Climbing
Ward sits at the edge of the Indian Peaks Wilderness at an elevation that keeps the rock cold and the crowds manageable compared to the Front Range crags closer to Boulder.
26 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 26 spots
Ward sits at the edge of the Indian Peaks Wilderness at an elevation that keeps the rock cold and the crowds manageable compared to the Front Range crags closer to Boulder. The climbing scene here leans heavily toward bouldering, with a solid mix of rope routes rounding out the options across 26 listed activities. Camp Dick and Shoshoni Peak are the two main climbing areas anchoring the zone, and between them you'll find everything from low-commitment warm-up problems like Pyramid Warm-up and Warm-up to more demanding lines like Ominous and Legend of the Drunken Master. Roped climbing shows up on features like Finnacle Ridge, South Buttress, Mass Wasting, and West Side Highway, giving trad and sport climbers enough to work with for a full day. The area's high elevation means the season runs shorter than lower Colorado crags -- snow can linger into late spring and return early in fall -- but summer and early fall typically offer stable conditions and reasonable temperatures for hard climbing. If you're driving up from Boulder, Ward is roughly 20 miles on a road that climbs fast, so give yourself time and check road conditions before you go.
The two main climbing areas in the Ward zone are Camp Dick and Shoshoni Peak. Camp Dick hosts a concentration of bouldering problems, while Shoshoni Peak offers additional terrain including roped routes. Between the two areas there are 26 listed activities, so a weekend trip can cover a lot of ground.
The majority of listed activities are bouldering problems -- lines like Marty Foul, Shickading Left and Right, UK Hockey Night, and Dicktastic, among others. Roped climbing is represented by routes including Finnacle Ridge, South Buttress, Mass Wasting, and West Side Highway, so it's worth bringing a rack if you want variety, but boulderers will find the most volume here.
Camp Dick
~2 min drive
Versatile Colorado crag with routes for climbers of various abilities.
Ominous
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Southeast Face Direct
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Warm-up Area
~4 min drive
Colorado climbing area perfect for warming up and building local rock familiarity.
Alpenprow
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
North Face Bypass
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Moose Rock
~8 min drive
Colorado climbing area with varied routes on natural rock formations.
Treetop Flyer
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
North Wall, Left Chimney
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Powerline Alcove
~8 min drive
Colorado alcove crag with sheltered climbing and varied route options.
Campfire Overhang
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
North Ridge
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Rock climbing
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Rock climbing
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Rock climbing
Ward, Colorado
Rock climbing
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Rock climbing
Ward, Colorado
Bouldering
Ward, Colorado
Rock climbing
Ward, Colorado
Ward sits high enough that the window is shorter than Front Range crags closer to Denver. Late June through early October is generally the most reliable stretch, with July and August offering the longest dry spells. Snow can close access roads or leave problems wet well into spring, and early-season storms can hit in September, so check conditions before making the drive.
For bouldering, bring your pads, shoes, and brush -- the bulk of the problems here are on natural rock that benefits from cleaning between sessions. If you plan to get on roped routes like South Buttress or West Side Highway, bring a standard trad rack and rope since the area's routes appear to be traditional-style climbing. Layers are worth packing regardless of the forecast; temperatures at Ward's elevation can drop quickly even in summer.
Ward is accessed via Colorado Highway 72 (the Peak to Peak Highway) from either Boulder Canyon to the south or Nederland to the south as well. Camp Dick is located in the Peaceful Valley area off Highway 72 and has a Forest Service campground nearby, making it a practical base for a multi-day trip. Shoshoni Peak is within the Indian Peaks Wilderness boundary, so check current trailhead parking and wilderness regulations with the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests before you go.
