Hazel's Way stands out as a compelling moderate trad route in the heart of Brown's Canyon National Monument near Buena Vista, Colorado. This climb offers a striking blend of straightforward accessibility with a taste of technical challenge, making it a favored option for climbers looking to stretch their skills on solid rock within a dramatic mountain setting. Approaching the route, you’ll find its unmistakable line cutting through a broad face, guiding you toward a memorable journey up hand cracks and a snug chimney that tests both your body and gear-laying smarts.

The first pitch introduces you to a narrow, somewhat dirty squeeze chimney that demands careful foot and hand placements. It’s a moment of quiet challenge, where the rock's rough breath brushes your skin and the scent of pine drifts softly through the air. This initial chimney leads to a roomy ledge that serves as a natural rest and belay station. From here, Hazel's Way truly unfolds: a sustained vertical hand crack stretches upward, offering a mix of intuitive climbing and precise gear placements. The rock here drinks protection eagerly, and while the crack thins on higher moves, it remains engaging without feeling overwhelming. Expect to use a well-rounded rack up to a #5 cam to feel confident and secure.

After the belay, the second pitch takes you onto the large summit dome, where the single, standout hand crack challenges you to commit. This pitch feels like a quiet extension of the first, smooth yet demanding enough to sharpen your technique. The protection can be generous if you know where to look, though the crack’s stand-alone position on the broad face means you’ll feel exposed in a way that’s thrilling but not intimidating. The entire climb spans roughly 200 feet over two pitches, making it an ideal half-day adventure. It rewards climbers with a stunning vantage of the surrounding Brown's Canyon landscape—pine-sprinkled ridges and river valleys stretch across the horizon, daring you to linger just a moment longer before the descent.

Planning your outing here means packing a standard trad rack, emphasizing cams sized up to #5 for the route’s larger placements. Shoes with sticky rubber and comfortable for laybacks and finger locks will enhance your grip throughout. Hydrate well before you start; the approach trails wind through open spaces where the sun can be intense during summer months, so early starts are best. The moderate 5.8 rating makes Hazel’s Way accessible to climbers building confidence on crack systems, while the sustained hand crack and chimney offer enough variety to keep the climb feeling fresh.

Tread carefully on the approach—while not long, the trail traverses uneven terrain that demands attention. Once on the rock, the ledges provide solid staging points, but the exposure on pitch two encourages a steady head and firm placements. Rappelling off is straightforward with established anchor points atop the summit dome, and the walk back grants a moment to reflect on the route’s satisfying combination of discovery and challenge. Hazel's Way is a purposeful choice for those ready to engage with the rock in a place that blends natural beauty and climbing satisfaction in equal measure.