Altitude: 5,300 ft
Filed Under: Climbing, Cycling, Fishing, Hiking, Paddling, Running
The beauty of this magnificent canyon -- with its variety of trails and lovely streamside picnic areas -- engages the non-climber, too. Eldorado Canyon offers hiking trails for all abilities, rainbow and brook trout fishing, biking, sightseeing, spectacular views and wildlife. Eldorado Canyon is a day-use only park and does not offer camping.
Climbing
Eldorado Canyon State Park has it all -- technical rock climbing, streamside picnic areas and trails with panoramic vistas -- all encompassed in a magnificant canyon setting. For technical rock climbing, Eldorado Canyon offers over 500 different routes. Climbers from all over the world come to Eldorado Canyon to enjoy some of the best climbing to be found.
To protect nesting and roosting sites of falcons, Redgarden Wall from the Naked Edge (pitch 3 ? top) through Sidetrack is closed from February 1st ? July 31st or until further notice.
Climbing - Climbers hail from around the world to challenge themselves on the rock walls of Eldorado Canyon. For those wishing to try the sport or improve their skills, park concessionaires operate climbing schools and guide services. More information is available at the park Visitor Center.
It is important to be familiar with technical rock climbing regulations before beginning a climb. While technical climbs do not require registration, it is your responsibility to make sure someone reports your absence if you happen to be overdue. Bolts, pitons, and other fixed gear are not maintained by the park.
Climbers are not the only creatures drawn to Eldorado's rock faces. The walls are also crucial breeding areas for birds of prey, which are extremely sensitive to human disturbance during their nesting and roosting cycle. To protect nesting and roosting sites of falcons, seasonal raptor closures are in effect from February 1 - July 31, 2006. Routes include: The Naked Edge (last 3 pitches only), the Diving Board, Centaur, Redguard (last 3 pitches), Red Ant, Semi-Wild, Anthill Direct (last 3 pitches), and the Sidetrack. For more information regarding local raptor closures, contact City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks at (303) 441-3440.
Top Roping and Sport Climbing: Top ropes and exclusively bolted leads are rare in Eldorado. Eldorado sport routes start at 5.11. Top ropes can be set on the north face of Supremacy Rock (5.6 - 5.9). The south side has a 5.11 crack that can be top roped. Other top ropes include: Kloof Alcove routes (5.11 - 5.12); Breakfast of Champions (5.11) at the lower west side of Redgarden Wall; the lower east side of Redgarden Wall to the right of The Bulge (5.9 - 5.11); and NIC to Over and Out on Rincon Wall (5.6 - 5. 10). Several of these routes can be top roped from trees with long slings; others require gear for anchors. The first pitch of March of Dimes (Bastille) can also be top roped from fixed anchors. A nearby top rope alternative is the Brick Wall (5.9 - 5.11), four miles up Boulder Canyon. Sport climbing (5.7 - 5.12) can be found at Golden Cliffs on North Table Mountain, 18 miles south on Highway 93 off First Street in Golden. For more information consult one of the area's many guidebooks available for sale at the Visitor Center or local climbing shops.
Fishing
The section of South Boulder Creek that flows through Eldorado Canyon has a great brown trout. Most of the are small, but they are fun. Further above the park, you will find more rainbows. See the South Boulder Creek guide for more fishing on this section of river.
Directions (from Boulder) - Take Colorado 93 south from Boulder, turn right on Colorado 170 and continue to the park entrance west of Eldorado Springs, about eight miles southwest of Boulder.
Directions
Directions (from Denver) - Take I-25 North to State Highway 36, West towards Boulder. Exit at "Louisville-Superior" and turn South (left) at the light. Take the first right (West) onto State Highway 170 fro 7.4 miles to Eldorado Canyon. Continue one mile through the canyon to the visitors center.
Comments
Ingrid Asmus said ...
A Map would be helpful, especially showing good trailheads, etc
sean said ...
Well, a map is located under the "maps" tab - http://thoos.com/guides/maps/eldorado-canyon
As for trailheads, there are only a few hiking trailheads. the rest are basically, climbing access trails. The two main trailheads are Rattlesnake Gulch (1/4 mile into park) and Eldorado Canyon Trail (near park headquarters building).
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