HomeClimbingDescend From Grace

Descend From Grace

Grand Junction, Colorado United States
hands crack
arete
single pitch
trad gear
PG13
thin crack
horizontal pod
Grand Mesa
Length: 70 ft
Type: Trad
Stars
Pitches
1
Location
Descend From Grace
Aspect
South Facing

Overview

"Descend From Grace is a single-pitch trad route along the edge of a clean arete in Colorado's Grand Mesa region. Offering tight hands cracks and a straightforward approach, it blends technical gear placements with steady climbing for an accessible trad experience."

Descend From Grace

Descend From Grace offers a focused and accessible trad climb set on the rugged faces of Kannah Creek Wall, part of the expansive Land's End Area near Grand Mesa in Colorado. This route begins with a brief but technical 15-foot section shared with Fountain of Decay, challenging climbers to engage right from the start. Beyond this initial stretch, the terrain mellows into steady, straightforward climbing that leads you directly toward a slender hands crack tracing the edge of an exposed arete. This delicate splitter demands finger and hand strength, rewarding steady focus with its clean line.

The crack itself narrows as it ascends, encouraging precise gear placements—fingertip-sized protection combined with a few strategic #1 Camalot units to secure yourself as you move upward. When the crack ends, the route veers left along a horizontal pod, where placing a #1 Camalot offers a reassuring anchor point. This segment guides climbers toward the upper chains that mark the top of the fountain feature, providing a clear finish to the 70-foot pitch.

The crag sits at 39.0002 latitude and -108.1556 longitude, just a short approach from Grand Junction, making it an inviting destination for climbers seeking solid moderate trad routes without the hassle of a long approach. The rock, faced with typical Grand Mesa grit, challenges hands and feet alike with its textured surfaces, perfect for confident leads and cautious runners.

For those planning a day on Descend From Grace, preparation is straightforward: bring a standard trad rack emphasizing cams from fingers to thin hands, especially several #1 Camalots to protect tight placements. Footwear should balance solidity and sensitivity, as the route combines friction smears on the slabby sections with the need to jam securely in the splitter. Timing your climb for morning to midday ensures the wall warms up under the sun, offering better friction and a comfortable climbing surface, while late afternoon shade can bring welcome relief in hot summer months.

This climb demands both attention to gear and a calm mindset to negotiate its technical bits. It comes with a PG13 rating, hinting at potential runouts where placing protection requires patience and precision. But the overall flow and the satisfying movement up the splitter make Descend From Grace a worthy second thought for trad climbers visiting the Grand Mesa area.

Approach trails are well-marked but rocky, with mixed dirt and loose fragments underfoot. Expect a 20-30 minute hike from the parking area, crossing through open but rugged terrain characteristic of the region. The route’s position along the arete provides airy exposure—the wind catches here, daring climbers to stay sharp as they advance.

After topping out, the descent involves a short walk-off down to the trailhead, avoiding complex rappels. While the route’s length and moderate commitment generally keep risks manageable, climbers should test all gear placements and be prepared for occasional runouts on thin protection. Weather can shift quickly atop Grand Mesa, so pack layers and confirm conditions before heading out.

Descend From Grace stands as an engaging Colorado trad climb that balances technical finesse with accessible length and approach. It showcases the raw character of the Land’s End walls, offering adventure seekers a solid goal with enough exposure and gear challenges to sharpen trad skills without overwhelming wilderness scale. Ideal for a solid half-day outing, this route is both a practical choice and a quiet thrill.

Climber Safety

Watch for runouts where gear placements are spaced wider, especially near the pod; secure every cam firmly to avoid potential falls over ledges. The rock quality is generally solid but test edges and holds during your climb. Approach carefully to avoid loose footing on the trail.

Route Details

TypeTrad
Pitches1
Length70 feet

Local Tips

Approach trail takes about 20-30 minutes over mixed terrain—wear sturdy shoes.

Best climbed mid-morning to afternoon for optimal sun and rock temperature.

Test all gear placements; some are tricky and require careful placement.

Weather can change quickly on Grand Mesa, carry layers and check forecasts.

Route Rating

Difficulty
5.9 PG13
Quality
Consensus:The 5.9 PG13 rating hints at a moderate challenge with a few runouts that raise the route's commitment. While not overly strenuous, the exposed splitter and thin protection require focused climbing and solid gear skills. Compared to other Grand Mesa moderate trad routes, Descend From Grace strikes a balance of accessibility and technical precision.

Gear Requirements

Bring a trad rack emphasizing finger- to thin-hand-sized cams. Several #1 Camalots are essential, especially for the horizontal pod and narrower cracks.

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Tags

hands crack
arete
single pitch
trad gear
PG13
thin crack
horizontal pod
Grand Mesa