There are few better known places to climb in Colorado than Eldorado Canyon and The Flatirons. While both are part of the same Rocky Mountain uplift that helped create Garden of the Gods and have some similarities when it comes to climbing these Front Range climbing spots couldn't be more different.

Eldorado Canyon has some of the most classic climbing routes in all of Colorado. Where South Boulder Creek has cut through the Fountain Formation it is packed with a variety of cracks, slabs, and roofs that make for exciting climbs in a dramatic landscape. The maroon rock is covered with bright green lichen and the cliffs rise hundreds of feet above the river which is the only real noise in this canyon besides climbers and birds. The climbing here has variety with a few spots for those just learning to climb as well as challenging routes for the more experienced. For anyone who wants to learn trad leading or multi-pitch climbing this is a great place to start. Many of the walls face south and while summer is great there are a high number of climbable days year round to keep this a favorite climbing spot in the Front Range.

The Flatirons are located in Boulder near National Historic Landmark Chautauqua Park Because the strata of these quartzite ridges didn't get quite as steep as elsewhere in the state they have a variety of lower angle faces rising a thousand feet in the air. Many of the climbs here are some of the easiest in the Front Range for their size and make a great first climbing experience for those prepared for heights but can also make a great training ground for those wanting to prepare for the Grand Teton or alpine climbs with us in Rocky Mountain National Park.