Independence Pass
550 routes and 187 boulder problems at 110 crags. "Independence Pass" is the catalogue's own grouping — a town, a canyon or a corridor, whichever climbers actually say.
Which way a wall faces is known for 92 of these 110; the rest say nothing rather than guess. Sun and shade by season ranks the ones we know.
At a glance
- Crags sit between 8,180 and 12,760 ft (elevation known for 110 of 110).
- Rock, where known (104 of 110 crags): granite (92), gneiss, schist & quartzite (12).
- Mapped geology under these crags (110 of 110 read off the geologic map): granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group (73), laramide intrusive rocks (14), biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite (12) and 4 more units.
- The USGS has mapped this ground since 1889; each crag page shows its oldest sheet.
- No crag here is within 1.5 km of an RTD stop. Mapped toilets within 2 km of 60.
- Sun and shade:
- In the shade on a summer afternoon (5)
- That are shady in the morning and sunny later (35)
- That stay shady almost all day in summer (5)
- High enough to be cool in summer (109)
- In the sun on a winter afternoon (25)
- In the sun all day in winter (11)
- That catch the morning sun in spring (45)
- In the afternoon sun in autumn (75)
In print since 1877
1877 Geologic Map of Colorado (Hayden), high-resolution scan · F. V. Hayden; scan by the Colorado Geological Survey · 1877
Geological and geographical atlas of Colorado and portions of adjacent territory · F. V. Hayden, U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories · 1877
Free to read: public domain or government work, each opened and signed by a person. The whole shelf is in the reading room.
From the archives
Photographs of Independence Pass held by the Library of Congress, oldest first, each marked "no known restrictions on publication" by the Library. Shown from their servers, not copied here.
On the "Independence Pass Highway," about 10 miles east of Aspen, Colo. - looking north · 1927 · stereograph
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · found by place name, not yet checked
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · found by place name, not yet checked
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The "Grotto," near Independence Pass Highway, about 10 miles e. of Aspen, Colo. · 1927 · stereograph
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · found by place name, not yet checked
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · found by place name, not yet checked
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Highway across the mountains during early fall blizzard near Independence Pass, Colorado · Wolcott, Marion Post, 1910-1990 · 1941
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
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Pine trees after early fall blizzard on Independence Pass, Colorado · Wolcott, Marion Post, 1910-1990 · 1941
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
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[Untitled photo, possibly related to: Highway across the mountains during early fall blizzard near Independence Pass, Colorado] · Wolcott, Marion Post, 1910-1990 · 1941
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
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Hidden as soon as you tell us, everywhere it appears, before anyone reviews it.
[Untitled photo, possibly related to: Highway across the mountains during early fall blizzard near Independence Pass, Colorado] · Wolcott, Marion Post, 1910-1990 · 1941
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division · Public domain · the record · indexed to this place by the archive
Report this item
Hidden as soon as you tell us, everywhere it appears, before anyone reviews it.
Lincoln Creek
- Campsite 5 Area12 routes and 24 boulder problems · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,879 ft
- Sunset Cliff11 routes · faces W · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,260 ft
- Phat City10 routes · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
- Reese's Pieces10 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,158 ft
- Lincoln Creek Cliff9 routes · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
- Campground Rock3 routes and 3 boulder problems · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
- Jimmy Cliff6 routes · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
- Treasure Chest6 boulder problems · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,643 ft
- Finger Food Wall5 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,778 ft
- Outhouse Wall5 boulder problems · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
- Sunset Cantina5 routes · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
- Intruders4 boulder problems · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
- River Boulder1 boulder problem · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,696 ft
- Sunset Boulder1 boulder problem · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,613 ft
Upper Boulderfield Area
- Upper Boulderfield aka Bulldog Boulders41 boulder problems · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,121 ft
- Upper Bulldog Cliff14 routes · faces N · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,149 ft
- Pitbull Cliff10 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,171 ft
- Turkey Rock9 routes · faces N · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,149 ft
- Upper Pitbull Cliff8 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,901 ft
- Bulldog Balcony7 routes · faces N · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,149 ft
- Lower Bulldog Cliff7 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,260 ft
- Dog Wall4 routes · faces N · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,149 ft
- Gem Stone Area2 routes · faces N · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,149 ft
Monitor Rock
- 3. Trailhead Wall15 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 5. Iron Side Wall14 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 6. Endless Wall8 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- East Side of Monitor Rock8 routes · faces SE · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 9,968 ft
- 1. Butt Wall7 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 4. Boulder Wall6 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 5b. Summit Dome6 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 2. The Bird's Nest5 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 7. F.Y. (Forever Young) Wall5 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 4b. Iron Stone Wall4 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- Below Monitor Rock3 boulder problems · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 6b. Space Your Face Wall2 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,229 ft
- 8. Tombstone2 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,334 ft
- Upper Iron Side2 routes · faces SW · granitic (Laramide intrusive rocks, with dioritic) · 10,419 ft
Grotto Walls Area
- Lower Grotto Wall31 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,683 ft
- World of Hurt Bouldering17 boulder problems · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,612 ft
- Nude Buttress7 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,712 ft
- Second Grotto Wall7 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,703 ft
- Third Grotto Wall2 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,703 ft
- Mecca Wall and Killer Pillar1 route · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,703 ft
- My Space Wall1 route · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,645 ft
Grottos Day Use Area
- Goal Post Boulders16 boulder problems · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,516 ft
- Gollum's Cave8 routes and 2 boulder problems · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,513 ft
- The Ice Caves2 routes and 8 boulder problems · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,513 ft
- Designer Wall9 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,895 ft
- Game Wall2 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,856 ft
Outrageous Overhangs Area
- Olympic Wall15 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,010 ft
- Thindependence12 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,982 ft
- Outrageous Overhang6 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,982 ft
- Bedrock4 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,312 ft
- Junior Olympic Wall4 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,959 ft
- Opening Ceremony Wall3 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,982 ft
- V23 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,982 ft
Ptarmigan Creek Area
- Greg's Cliff10 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,201 ft
- Jungle Wall9 routes · faces SE · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,992 ft
- Hurricane Wall7 routes · faces SE · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,992 ft
- Squawk Rock5 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,097 ft
- Storm Jumper Wall5 routes · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,295 ft
- Dry Wall4 routes · faces SE · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,992 ft
- Kaos Wall3 routes · faces SE · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,992 ft
Wild Rock Area
- Wild Rock10 routes · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,359 ft
- Big Wild Boulder2 routes and 6 boulder problems · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,110 ft
- James Brown Boulder4 boulder problems · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,115 ft
- Bart Boulder3 boulder problems · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,359 ft
- Yardstick Boulder3 boulder problems · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,359 ft
- Clarence Clemons Boulder2 routes · faces S · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 10,128 ft
Wild Ridge Area
- The Wave7 routes · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,704 ft
- Rip Rap4 routes · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,704 ft
- The Coral4 routes · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,704 ft
- Headlands2 routes · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,704 ft
- Outer Banks2 routes · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,704 ft
- Guide Route1 route · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,674 ft
- Wild Ridge1 route · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,653 ft
- Wild Tower1 route · faces S · Biotitic gneiss, schist, and migmatite · 10,704 ft
Classy Cliff Area
Twin Lakes Area
- Dump Wall13 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,682 ft
- Black Slab2 routes · faces SE · Twin Lakes granodiorite · 9,512 ft
- Broken Chain Wall2 routes · faces SE · Twin Lakes granodiorite · 9,322 ft
- Entrance Slab2 routes · faces S · colluvium (Colluvium) · 9,281 ft
- Outlook Rock2 routes · faces SE · Twin Lakes granodiorite · 9,663 ft
Difficult Campground
- Difficult Wall aka Difficult Cliff11 routes · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,682 ft
- Patrol Boulder3 boulder problems · faces SW · Granitic rocks of 1400-m.y. age group · 9,682 ft
- The White Stripe Boulder1 boulder problem · faces SW · unconsolidated drift (Glacial drift) · 8,180 ft
Pass Walls
Pooh Corner Area
Whirlpool Rock
Instant Karma Cliff
Weller Slab
Overlook, The
Powerline
Columbine Crag
North Boulders
Piranha Boulder
Ivory Field
Hernando's Hideaway
ICBJ Boulder
Jaws Boulder
South Boulders
Eyebrow
Watchtower Crag
Putterman's Dome
Wall Walls East
Wall Walls West
Diehard Cliff
Every crag here comes from the open catalogue or a cited guidebook; see Sources & licences. Counts are the current build's.