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 book a San Juan Rock Climbing trip, please click below.

Half-Day - Register Full-Day - Register Family Rock Climbing - Register

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.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Included in the Trip Fee:

  • Guidance of our highly experienced Mountain Trip guides.
  • All necessary protective equipment where it is required.
  • Assistance arranging post-trip activities in the area.


Not Included in the Trip Fee:

  • Travel to and from southwest Colorado.
  • Personal clothing and equipment per our equipment list. (Please, just ask us if you need anything!)
  • Accommodations in Colorado.
  • Travel and/or rescue insurance. (The CORSAR card is an inexpensive way to reimburse local rescue groups for costs incurred during a rescue in Colorado.)
  • Costs incurred due to evacuation or unplanned departure from the area due to illness or other problems.
  • Costs incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Mountain Trip.
  • Costs as a result of force majeure.

Refunds and Cancellations

Mountain Trip recognizes how difficult and disappointing it can be for guests who must cancel trips. Guests must also recognize that, due to the nature of planning trips and contracting guides for specific dates, Mountain Trip also accrues significant expenses in organizing our excursions. We must therefore adhere to a strict refund policy for all guests.

We require 100% payment at the time of booking and at least 72 hours’ notice for cancellations and rescheduling of activities. If you would like to purchase travel insurance to protect a trip in case of last-minute cancellations, you can do so via Travel Guard HERE.

We are happy to work with you to reschedule to a new date, or if you need to cancel entirely, we will provide a full refund with a minimum of 72 hours’ notice. If you cancel inside of 72 hours ahead of a trip departure, or do not show up, you will not be refunded and will have to reschedule by paying full price.

Participants must fit our rated equipment in order to participate on Rock Climbing trips. We use the Black Diamond Momentum Harness, which goes up to a 41-inch waist. If any individual does not fit the equipment we provide, they will not be able to attend. 

All requests for refunds must be made in writing and received in our Colorado office. No refunds will be provided for cancellations occurring within the last three days prior to the scheduled date of a trip.

Mountain Trip reserves the right to cancel a trip prior to the departure date for any reason. In such an event, all monies collected by Mountain Trip from trip participants shall be promptly refunded. This is the extent of our financial liability.

Weather Cancellations

We, Mountain Trip and our guides, reserve the right to make all weather-related decisions in regards to the cancellation of trips. 

The following is a list of guide-recommended gear for Telluride and Ouray rock climbing with Mountain Trip. We will happily provide all technical equipment, including helmets, harnesses, and rock climbing shoes. Climbers are also welcome to use their own gear upon inspection by one of our guides.

Whatever gear you choose, please make sure it fits well so you fully enjoy your experience in the mountains.

In addition to what we provide and have available to rent, there is also a good selection of gear available in Telluride and Ouray. If you have any specific questions about what you might need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Mountain Trip office.

Print Equipment

Footwear

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Trekking Shoes or Boots for ColoradoComfortable, well broken in trekking shoes or lightweight boots will work for approaching climbs, the Telluride Via Ferrata or climbing 14ers. Good traction is important for all of the above. Contact our office for more detailed advice!

Torso Layers

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Light Fleece HoodyLight/mid weight fleece (or wool) top with a hood. You will wear this over your light weight base layer.
Rain Jacket for ColoradoA rain shell can be your most important layer as we often experience afternoon showers during the summer months in Colorado. It should be packable and in good working order meaning that, in addition to being waterproof, it still has a functional water repellent finish and beads water on the surface of the fabric.

Leg Layers

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Lightweight Softshell Trekking PantsA lightweight synthetic softshell pant is a great layer that you'll wear every day on a trek or for an ascent of a peak. These are water resistant, breathable and comfortable in a wide range of weather and temps.

Head and Hands

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
SunglassesSunglasses are essential in the mountains. Choose a pair that are comfortable and provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Packs and Duffels

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Climbing PackSuitable climbing packs will be 30 - 45 liters in volume and have the capability of easily attaching crampons, and ice axes if used for a day of ice climbing or if needed for a peak ascent. For a day climbs, any pack in the 30 - 45 liter range will work, but we recommend that you consider the weight of the pack carefully. Overnight, alpine routes require larger (45L) packs that also let you strap your sleeping pad to the outside.

Climbing Gear

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Climbing HelmetMake certain it fits over your warmest hat and under the hood of your shell. The super-lightweight foam helmets are great, but can get crushed in your duffel bags during travel, so protect your lid!
Climbing HarnessAn aspect of technical climbing is hanging in a harness. Having a padded, comfortable harness will make you much happier than will a thinly padded, alpine harness, and, should you find yourself at a semi hanging belay, your legs are less likely to fall asleep from lack of circulation.
Carabiners2 locking carabiners and 2 non-locking carabiners. (4 total)
Belay/Rappel DeviceA plaquette style belay/rappel device.

Other

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Two (2) One-Liter Water BottlesYou will need two, 1-liter plastic water bottles. Please bring wide-mouth bottles, such as those from Nalgene, as these are much easier to fill than bottles with small openings.
CameraMost climbers these days use their phone as a camera, but if you plan to bring a dedicated camera, consider a small, light weight point and shoot camera. If you are a photography buff and really want to bring a DSLR, plan for that extra weight with your training!
Lip BalmBring a tube of quality lip balm with sun protection (SPF).
SunscreenThe sun can be intense in Colorado, so please apply high SPF sunscreen prior to your trip and bring a small tube along to reapply during the day.
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