[Rabies]

Anyone been to Rifle Colorado? Any good?

Heading to States in September and current plan looks like this:

Fly into Salt Lake City end of September
LCC
Joe's Valley
Rifle maybe?
Bishop
Yosemite
Fly back from San Francisco end of November

Had a butcher's at google maps earlier and it doesn't seem to far to get to Rifle for a bit of sport climbing if its worth it.

Any opinions on locations, places to stay away from would be appreciated

Cheers

Jon

[SA Chris]

Stopped for a look, but didn't climb (with non-climbing folk) - be nice if you fancy steep blocky limestone roofs.

What you looking for, bouldering or routes?

I was a bit disappointed by bouldering at LCC, didn't rate it compared to Bishop. You could add in somwhere like Red Rocks or Maple Canyon to break up journey.

Will Yosemite not be getting cold by end November? There is some stuff around Tahoe too.

[Rabies]

Cheers for info.  I initially planned it as a bouldering trip, but a bit of sport climbing would be good too.  Thinking of American Fork or Logan Canyon too when in SLC. Even do a bit of trad if I find someone with a load of gear as I don't want to trawling my own gear around for 2 months!  Can always just stay in Bishop if its too cold in Yosemite I suppose

[a dense loner]

i liked lcc, and i don't like anything. surprised with the rifle choice, its not 1983 anymore

[Rabies]

Yeah it is a bit of an old skool venue.  Must be the incredible Masters of Stone videos that inspired back in the day! Was planning to take my headband, vest and short shorts so I'll fit in.  Hope things haven't moved on 

[n_man]

Rifle is shit compared to European limestone - don't bother when there are so many cool places to go at that time of year. Not been to other venues that you mention. However, if I had the opportunity I would head to Joes Valley, LCC or check out Ibex instead. I always think if your travelling its better to do something different and better than you can get closer to home.

I would check out Lake Tahoe its bloody brilliant. I thought that the bouldering was good (I'm biased cos I did about 6 projects listed in the new bouldering guide) and below Lovers Leap theres a free campsite with heaps of people hanging out doing trad routes. Must be as easy as anywhere to find a trad partner there.

[JohnM]

How about the Virgin River Gorge for some sport climbing?

[SA Chris]

Is that the one with the lookout over the Interstate? Plenty of more scenic spots in Northern AZ.

[Rabies]

Thanks for the info everyone.  Going to try to just head to the best venues possible I think.

I reckon most likely trip is;

LCC
Joe's Valley
Red Rocks
Bishop
Yosemite
Tahoe

Will all probably change when I'm there though!

[SA Chris]

I think it's a good mix - not too many spots and not too much travelling in between.

And of you are (un)lucky, you might score some early season powder at Mammoth or Tahoe.

[Rabies]

If only! I originally intended to stay an extra month or two to go skiing but couldn't get the extra time off before starting a job. Maybe in year or two!

[SA Chris]

Mammoth is normally open by end November, and some of the higher Tahoe resorts.

Be nice to bag a day at least - Mammoth is an easy drive from Bishop. Could do it on a "rest" day like we did, or if weather is crap and/or raining. Valley rain often means mountain snow!

http://www.mammothmountain.com/MountainActivities/WinterActivities/SkiingRiding/

[n_man]

I reckon that looks a pretty good trip and a real good variety of venues too.

[SA Chris]

And if the weather does get really bad in the mountains, you can stop in at Castle Rock NP for a day or two before you leave.

http://www.supertopo.com/bouldering/Bay_Area_Bouldering_Castle_Rock

http://www.drtopo.com/guidebooks/usa/California/27

Get on Dr Topo and get prinitng!

[corniceman]

I have been to Rifle several times. it is a bit oif a 90s crag but quite impressive and extensive with some really good routes. i am looking at this from a sport climbers perspective. I have done some really good 7c's and 8as at rifle and thought the quality was really good.

Another venue you havenet mentioned for Sport climbing very near to SLC is American Fork canyon. Id really recommend hells cave with a big list of 7b+ through to 8b and some great routes. Burning 8a I thought as good an 8a as any I've done and fits in a lot of cranking due to the steepness of the crag. American Fork is also near Timpanagos which is one of the most beautiful areas in the States, totally stunning scenery. There is a campsite in the the canyon and shops just down the road.

Simon

[SA Chris]

not mentioned, apart from when he said

Thinking of American Fork or Logan Canyon too when in SLC

[corniceman]

Fair cop, attention to detail and all that!

[n_man]

Good venues but I really think Euro stuff is better so therefore do stuff thats better than (or very different to) stuff around 'home'?