Eldorado Canyon State Park, Picture courtesy: Clare Reda
Article Contributed by Jeffrey Boring
The Boulder Chapter of the CMC is celebrating the joy of climbing at one of the most spectacular climbing destinations in North America, Eldorado Canyon State Park. On Saturday June 8th, members and guests of the CMC will join to climb routes throughout the park and end the day with a cookout to share stories of their day cragging in the park.
Eldorado Canyon State Park is a great place to try climbing for the first time or to push the limits of a seasoned climber. Routes along the popular Wind Tower can be done in one or multiple pitches and start at 5.4. West Ridge, another climbing area in the park, is a long formation with great moderates such as Verscheidung Dihedral (5.7), Sooberb Lite (5.8) and Long John Wall (5.8+). For the advanced climber, there are world renowned routes such as Yellow Spur (5.9+) and the Naked Edge (5.11b). This park is big and varied enough for everyone and there are hundreds of quality routes in a beautiful setting.
There are two ways to participate in Climbing Festival. Either sign up for one of the Eldo trips listed on the CMC website, for June 8. Or, if you’d rather climb with your own party and meet us for the cookout, just email Jeffrey Boring at jboring@larimer.org so we’ll know to expect you.
The general schedule for the event is to begin climbing in the morning and end around 4 PM for the cookout. Your specific schedule will be provided by your trip leader if you register for a trip through the CMC, or make your own schedule if you plan to climb in your own party.
The cookout will take place at the patio behind the park Visitor Center. Thank you to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for donating this patio space for the Climbing Festival! The CMC Boulder Chapter will provide nourishment in the form of hot dogs and burgers (veggie options will be provided too). Beer and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. The cookout will start around 4 PM and last a few hours.
Parking is limited near the Visitor Center, so carpooling is strongly advised. The planned meeting location will be the public parking lot at the intersection of 93 and Eldorado Springs Drive, on the northeast corner. There is a small entrance fee required for Eldorado Canyon State Park, otherwise the event is free.
Imagine spending a glorious day rock climbing the cliffs of Eldorado Canyon State Park and wrapping it up with a burger and beer along South Bouder Creek. You can’t miss this trip!