From conquering steep granite faces with epic views at the Cirque of the Towers to bouncing along boulders for beginners, Pinedale, Wyoming and especially the Wind River Mountain Range are hot spots for rock climbers and mountaineers.
Endless Climbing Opportunities in The Wind River Range
Miles and miles of mountain ranges mean rock climbing challenges for days — and for any skill level.
There are so many opportunities for climbing in the Pinedale area that will take your breath away. Rock climbing masters tend to hit the Wind River Mountain Range for steep climbs that require skill, patience, and perseverance.
World-class rock climbers flock to the Real Wyoming to explore the intense climbs at the Cirque of the Towers up sheer granite faces and Titcomb Basin’s expert-only layers upon layers of sharp peaks with picturesque views.
Still new to rock climbing? There are some fun learning spots for beginners, including Stonehenge, a playground of 10 to 40-foot boulders the whole family can conquer. Lizard Rocks, a short 15-minute drive from Pinedale, is full of granite buttresses begging to be climbed. Both of these beautiful prospects are ideal for practicing until you can hang with the pros on the Wind River Range.
Popular Locations
Cirque of the Towers
The Cirque of the Towers, located in the Big Sandy area of the Wind River Range, is famous amongst alpine climbers around the world. The Cirque of the Towers is a massive collection of peaks with huge rock faces of superb granite that is often compared to the high-caliber granite of Yosemite Valley. Of the many classic mountains to explore, Warbonnet, Warrior One, Mount Mitchell, Wolf’s Head, Pingora, and Shark’s Nose are the more notable peaks but even the lesser-known adjacent peaks are deserving of attention. The Cirque of the Towers spoils climbers with hundreds of established routes to choose from that span a diverse range of climbing difficulties, styles, and disciplines.
Gannett Peak
Gannett Peak is remotely located in the northern Wind River Mountain Range, situated on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in both the Fitzpatrick and Bridger Wilderness Areas. A formidable mountain in itself, Gannett Peak is only accessed after enduring hikes at high altitudes and mountain passes, glacier and rock travel, and finicky, potentially dangerous, weather patterns. The 896 acre Gannett Glacier is the largest single glacier in the American Rocky Mountains.
Pinedale Aquatic Center
A 32-foot climbing wall challenges beginners and advanced climbers with a multitude of ever-changing routes. Climbing shoes and harnesses are available. Belay and lead certification classes scheduled regularly. Climbing groups, camps, and challenges are on-going.
Other Locations
Titcomb Basin, Central Wind River Range
The Titcomb Basin region offers everything from a 3rd class walkup to an extremely difficult expert-only climbing. The climbing in this part of the Wind River Range has a long and rich mountaineering history. Every year, professional and amateur climbers alike return to Titcomb Basin seeking adventure, solitude, and beauty and Titcomb Basin never disappoints. Titcomb Basin comes highly recommended the adventurous, yet capable, climber. This area is accessible from the Elkhart Park trailhead.
The Wind River Range is a huge mountain playground with a lifetime's worth of classic destinations to explore ... A guidebook is highly recommended.
Accessible Day-Climbing Options Near Pinedale
Stonehenge - 20-minute drive from Pinedale
Beginners seeking easily accessible cliffs that can be top roped should visit Stonehenge near Boulder, Wyoming (20-minute drive from Pinedale). Stonehenge is a large cluster of massive 10-40 foot high granite boulders, that offer a good range of roped climbing and bouldering options. For more information on Stonehenge, refer to the Pinedale, WY Climbing Guidebook.
Lizard Rocks - 15-minute drive from Pinedale
14 miles up Skyline Drive from Pinedale, is a group of granite buttresses immediately opposite the Fremont Lake overlook and is a fantastic place for beginners to try their hand at moderate roped climbing. Download a free climbing guide to Lizard Rocks at Climbing Wyoming.com.
Pinedale's foothills are vast and there are plenty more cliffs to train on than what's listed here ... come explore for yourself!
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