I’ve never climbed before, is this the best spot near Grand Junction?

There is a good selection of beginner climbs near Monument Canyon that are commonly used for those new to climbing. The rock quality isn’t as great as more well traveled climbs but there is a good selection for a shorter day.

Can I climb Independence Tower if I’m a beginner?

Most likely we would want to do prep day to see where your skills are at. The hike to Independence Tower is a little under three miles and with climbing up to 5.9 in difficulty it would be a bit of a letdown to have to bail after the first pitch if it’s more than you’re up for.

It rained a little bit ago but the rock looks dry, why can’t we climb?

The soft sandstone that makes up places like Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks, and Colorado National Monument gets weaker when wet. While the surface may be dry the moisture underneath is still making things damp and weak. We usually wait at least 24 hours before proceeding to climb.

Do I need to pay a park entrance fee?

If you have a national parks pass you can leave that on your dashboard or show it to the gate attendant if we’re meeting within the park. If not then there are QR codes at trailheads you can use to pay the entrance fees.