Elevation: 7,142 ft
GPS: 39.72098, -107.69019
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 80,857 total · 311/month
Shared By: Nate Weitzel on Nov 4, 2001
Admins: Alvaro Arnal, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description

The Ruckman Cave is one of the most popular walls in Rifle. It is home to classic lines such as Beer Run (5.13a), Street Knowledge (5.12a), Pinch Fest (5.12b), and In Your Face (5.12d). Many of the routes end under the large roof, although a few take on this feature, or climb the steep wall to either side. The wall houses a couple of Rifle warm-ups on the right side of the large roof. It has solid climbing with some terrific features. Check out Pinch Fest for some of the most amazing natural holds I have ever seen. The cave gets morning sun, so it is a good place on cold days, but wait until evening for hot ones.

Getting There

There is a large (8) car parking pull out 1.3 miles into the canyon, directly across from the Meat Wall. Park here, and walk across the wooden plank bridge, then follow the trail 20-30 feet to get to the wall. This trail leads directly to Pinch Fest.

43 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Ruckman Cave Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Ruckman Cave

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 108
Nessun Dorma
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 132
Pellet Gun
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 112
Primer
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 202
Choss Family Robinson
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 76
Red Dawn
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 143
Firearms
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 79
Return to Sender (aka Cap-gun)
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 268
Pinch Fest
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 132
Street Knowledge
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 79
Loose Cannon
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 71
Noble Wife
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 54
The Promise
Sport
5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 45
Extended Family
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 55
In Your Face
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 71
Beer Run
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Nessun Dorma
 108
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Pellet Gun
 132
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Primer
 112
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Choss Family Robinson
 202
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
Red Dawn
 76
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Firearms
 143
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Return to Sender (aka Cap-gun)
 79
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Pinch Fest
 268
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Street Knowledge
 132
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Loose Cannon
 79
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Noble Wife
 71
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
The Promise
 54
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Extended Family
 45
5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
In Your Face
 55
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Beer Run
 71
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Ruckman Cave »

Sun & Shade

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos