Telluride & Ouray Rock Climbing – Guided Rock Climbing
From single-pitch top-rope outings to committing, exposed multi-pitch traditional routes, Telluride and Ouray feature lesser-known yet incredible guided rock climbing. We offer half-day or full-day rock climbing trips, depending on your goals, objectives, and group size. Our AMGA trained or certified guides can accommodate all levels of experience.
All of our trips are private, and our goal is to meet climbers wherever they are in their climbing progression, whether it’s learning the basics or improving one’s personal skillset, such as progressing to lead climbing, high-alpine routes, or placing trad protection. Route grades range from moderate to 5.13 and harder. If you’re unsure where to begin or where you’d like to climb, contact our office at (970) 369-1153 or [email protected] and we’ll design the ideal day based on your experience level, goals, and objectives.
To make a reservation, please click below.
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Rock Climbing in the San Juan Mountains
Telluride
The Pipeline Wall in Telluride is named for a pipe from the old mining days that runs along the base of the crag. You’ll pass by the opening of an impressive five-mile long mine as you make your way to the climbing area. Pipeline offers some of the best views in the Telluride valley as well as a range of climbing difficulties. This is a sport crag, with single-pitch and multi-pitch climbs in the 5.7 to 5.12 range. Across from Pipeline, also bolted into the layer of conglomerate left here when the ancient inland ocean receded, is the Streaked Wall. This area features more challenging sport routes largely in the 5.11 range, but does vary from 5.10 to 5.13, with one 5.7. Down valley from Telluride is the Bilk Creek sport climbing crag. This is a great place to hang out as it’s usually shaded and there is a nice creek running along the base of the crag. There are just a few, shorter, single-pitch routes here ranging from 5.8 to 5.10.
Ophir
The Ophir Wall rises above the Ophir turn along Highway 145 as an impressive and commanding cliff face, culminating into the Ophir Needles at the summit. This classic climbing area consists of granite rock and multi-pitch routes that stretch up to 600 feet. The difficulty ranges from 5.7 to 5.13c with a mix of traditional and sport climbing routes. Just down the road, Cracked Canyon runs perpendicular to the mountainside, splitting it in two, and features around 50 single- and multi-pitch routes ranging from 5.4 to 5.11+. Across from the Ophir Wall is the home of some new and challenging sport routes known as the Dark Side. Ophir climbing has a lot to offer, not the least of which are the stunning views of surrounding peaks, one of which is Sunshine Mountain.
Ouray
Ouray is home to several different climbing crags, each offering their own unique experience. As you approach Ouray on the highway, you first pass the Dike Wall. An old volcanic basalt dike cuts vertically through layers of sandstone. This is a sport climbing crag with routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.11. Continuing down Highway 550 you next pass the Rotary Park. A great single-pitch sport climbing zone that is an excellent place for families and beginners. As you get into the town of Ouray, you will pass the Pool Wall, which offers a mix of traditional and sport climbing from 5.5 to 5.13. The Pool Wall is the shortest approach and has the most routes of any of the Ouray climbing crags. As you travel south past town, the Overlook Cliff will be your next stop. Aptly named, the Overlook is just above the Ouray Via Ferrata and overlooks the town of Ouray, and features all sport climbing routes from 5.10 to 5.12. Last is the Waterfall Wall. This crag offers one of the more unique experiences of Ouray crags as you have to rappel down to the climbing, and when you’re done for the day, you climb back out. The location is impressive as you climb right above a cascading waterfall that rages below. This area features both traditional and sport routes from 5.7 to 5.12.
We Also Guide in Unaweep Canyon!
Unaweep Canyon, south of Grand Junction, boasts a diverse selection of climbing walls, catering to various styles and skill levels. With more than 1,000 developed routes and countless potential lines still waiting to be explored, you’re sure to find the perfect wall to challenge and inspire you!
- Mother Buttress
- Hidden Valley Wall
- Sunday Wall
- And more!
To book a Rock Climbing trip, please contact the Mountain Trip office at [email protected] or (970) 369-1153.
