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outsideguyzak
May 26, 2006, 11:49 PM
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Rifle or Maple Canyon???
So which is more fun?
I am going to be spending a week at both places during my two month road trip this summer and i was wondering if i should be at one place longer that the other...
What are some awesome classic rotues we need to do while at both?
Thanks everybody, any camping/climbing/local life beta for either is much appreciated.
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devils_advocate
May 26, 2006, 11:54 PM
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Evolv are totally better than Mad Rock
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alpinerock
May 27, 2006, 12:04 AM
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as for which is "better" thats a matter of opinion, Maple is definatly unique and can be a blast or diaster depending on where you go and what your climbing style lends itself too. As for rifle i've never been there.
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outsideguyzak
May 27, 2006, 10:38 PM
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anyone else have any beta?
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phaedrus
May 30, 2006, 4:27 AM
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phaedrus moved this thread from General to What's New?.
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polarwid
May 30, 2006, 9:58 PM
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polarwid moved this thread from What's New? to Sport Climbing.
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devils_advocate
May 30, 2006, 11:11 PM
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devils_advocate moved this thread from Sport Climbing to Subjective Lamenting.
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overlord
May 31, 2006, 7:15 AM
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overlord moved this thread from Subjective Lamenting to Stupig Rants.
which is SO much better than Subjective Lamenting :P
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devils_advocate
May 31, 2006, 4:48 PM
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No, no, no. Subjective Lamenting is so totally better than Stupig Rants. Let me lament on why...
But then again, you didn't even have to spell your category correctly, so that has to be worth something. Maybe I'll have to check this forum out.
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sidepull
May 31, 2006, 6:59 PM
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In reply to: Evolv are totally better than Mad Rock
wow - you've earned 3 trophies on this thread alone. alas, i have none to give.
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jcinco
May 31, 2006, 8:59 PM
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In reply to: Rifle or Maple Canyon??? So which is more fun? I am going to be spending a week at both places during my two month road trip this summer and i was wondering if i should be at one place longer that the other... What are some awesome classic rotues we need to do while at both? Thanks everybody, any camping/climbing/local life beta for either is much appreciated.
It depends on what you are looking for. For myself, Rifle is a top-5 climbing destination. I made my first trip to Maple last week and was somewhat disappointed. Since I'm bored right now, here is the run down:
Hard Climbing
Maple has hard routes, but in my limited experience those routes require little finesse. Footwork is not so important. Sending depends on beating the pump clock. The routes have few memorable sequences... you will likely forget specific moves on routes you've done a few days after you leave
For what I will call "hard" sport climbing (12+ and above), there are few places that come close to Rifle. Not only do the routes require power and endurance, but they also require exacting technique. Sequences on Rifle routes will become burned into your brain... you will be able to recite move-by-move beta to people years after you send your project. A highly addictive style of climbing.
Moderate Climbing
Rifle has only a handful of moderates. It is really not a very intresting place unless you can project routes of at least 11+.
Maple has lots of moderates. Moderates are also conveniently located near hard routes (e.g. Minimum/Pipe Dream crags are close to Zen Garden). I could easily see spending a week at Maple with my wife, but at Rifle?... no way.
Camping
Camping at Rifle is great. The campground has about 20 spots along a beautiful mountain creek. Spaces will fill up on weekend evenings, but you shouldn't have any trouble if you get in during the week, or even early in the day on a Saturday. Camping is $12 per night and there are pit toilets and a pump that has drinking water. There is excellent free camping if you are willing to drive the extra 15 minutes up to the meadow.
Camping at Maple can be somewhat desperate. There are 13 sites in the campground, but due to a bizarre reservation system, they are always reserved well in advance. If you can plan your dates far enough in advance, you should probably try to make reservations. Camping is $8, but no water. There are only a couple good free sites (nearly always taken) and lots of less than ideal pull-offs down canyon for free camping.
Rest Days
Glenwood Springs is 45 min from Rifle and is a very cool town. Great hot springs (free if you know where to go). The town of Rifle is marginally interesting and 30 min away.
There is little of interest anywhere near Maple. Provo is the most interesting option (yes, you heard that correctly) and is about an hour away.
Both areas are a little over an hour from higher altitude mountain terrain.
So, there you have it. Rifle has more interesting climbing and better camping in an area with slightly more to do. If you want more moderate climbing then you should check out Maple. PM me if you have any questions.
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outsideguyzak
Jun 1, 2006, 11:52 PM
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thanks jcinco and everyone else! anyone else got beta?
What about AWESOME routes at each place?
thanks :)
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clymber
Jun 2, 2006, 12:11 AM
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been to both places and i like maple ALOT better....
rifle is limestone and pretty polished on alot of routes....not to many easy to mod routes.....
maple is conglomerate and mostly sloppers
as for night life not sure on either...maple as free camping in the canyon and when i went to rifle i wasstaying at a house of a friend...
also what time of year are you going
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outsideguyzak
Jun 4, 2006, 12:54 AM
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i'm going be at rifle from june 15th through the 25th and maple for the week after that.
any more beta?
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