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Experience a full day of climbing in Grand Junction’s iconic granite and sandstone formations. Choose between the towering cliffs of Unaweep Canyon or the diverse challenges of Colorado National Monument with expert guides.
Experience a full day of climbing in Grand Junction’s iconic granite and sandstone formations. Choose between the towering cliffs of Unaweep Canyon or the diverse challenges of Colorado National Monument with expert guides.
Book with Colorado Climbing Company
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Colorado Climbing Company · Grand Junction, Colorado
Grand Junction, Colorado’s largest city on the Western Slope, marks the threshold where the high desert of the Colorado Plateau begins to stretch wide. Known for its dry air and rugged terrain, this area draws climbers keen on testing their skills on granite and sandstone formations alike. The Colorado Climbing Company offers an immersive full-day climb experience tailored to adventurers seeking varied challenges amid striking geological features.
The trip gives climbers a choice between two premier climbing destinations: Unaweep Canyon and Colorado National Monument. Unaweep Canyon is a dramatic granite gorge whose name in the Ute language means "canyon of divided waters," referencing the rare river that bifurcates and flows in two distinct directions. Its towering 500-foot granite walls provide excellent climbing routes that stay cooler in shoulder seasons, making it an ideal training ground on solid rock that shares characteristics with The Black Canyon’s formidable cliffs.
In contrast, the Colorado National Monument presents wide-open desert vistas featuring sandstone canyons and mesas carved by eons of erosion. This National Monument is home to crack and slab climbs on sandstone, requiring climbers to respect weather conditions, as wet rock can be dangerously unstable. Among the highlights here is Independence Tower, a historic and challenging desert tower that offers a compelling introduction to tower climbing in the region.
Guided by AMGA-certified instructors, climbers receive all necessary gear including harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, ropes, and protective equipment. Group size is limited to twelve, ensuring personalized instruction and safety focus.
Colorado Climbing Company holds a special place in the local climbing community by providing access to these iconic rock formations with deep respect for environmental conservation. Their expertise helps climbers connect with this unique part of Colorado’s rugged landscape, building skills and confidence in some of the West’s most varied and scenic climbing environments.
moderate.
8 hours.
Participants should be in good physical shape with endurance for sustained climbs and hikes.
No, climbs are guided by certified instructors who accommodate all skill levels.
Participants must be at least 8 years old.
Yes, the company supplies group and personal climbing gear including ropes, harnesses, helmets, and shoes.
Transportation to and from the climbing locations is not included; participants must arrange their own.
The trip offers a choice between Unaweep Canyon or Colorado National Monument, not both in one session.
Sandstone climbs require 24-48 hours after rain to ensure safety and protect rock integrity.
Unaweep Canyon is significant for its rare bifurcated river, an unusual geological feature cherished by the Ute people.
Climbers are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles to protect fragile desert ecosystems and maintain route quality.
Colorado Climbing Company runs guided climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing trips and instructional courses across Colorado and in select national parks. The company’s offerings include introductory classes like Introduction to Rock Climbing and Gym to Crag, technical courses such as Learn to Lead Sport Climb Outdoors and Learn to Lead Traditional Climbs, and advanced seminars including Steep Ice and Mixed Technique and Climbing 301 — Climbing Big Things. Trips span diverse Colorado areas and beyond, with options in Rocky Mountain National Park, Silverton, Lake City, Ouray, Denver/Golden, Boulder/Estes Park, Telluride, Gunnison, Grand Junction, and San Juan ranges. Seasonal programming covers ice climbing at venues like Lake City Ice Park and guided backcountry ski and splitboard touring in Silverton and the Alpine Loop near Lake City. Offerings range from half-day guided ice climbs to multi-day alpine ascents and expedition preparation courses. Participants can choose guided experiences or technical instruction tailored to levels from beginner to advanced. Course titles and guided day trips reflect explicit instruction and guided formats, including avalanche and glacier-focused topics such as Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel and Private Custom Avalanche Instructions. Colorado Climbing Company presents a wide catalog of site-specific classic climbs, ski descents, and intensive seminars to support skill development and safe mountain travel.
Book with Colorado Climbing Company