ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
spearhead, north ridge
June/Sept
10-12 Hours
Intermediate
From $650
Private TripS
2027 Dates Live
EXPLORE ALPINE ROCK CLIMBING IN RMNP
DISCOVER
| OVERVIEW |
A beautiful, northeast-facing wall that starts as a slab and steadily rises to perfect vertical granite. Spearhead is surrounded and dwarfed by taller mountains in the center of the Glacier Gorge Cirque-- one of the most beautiful spots on Earth.
This climb involves a beautiful scenic three-and-a-half-hour hike past lakes, forests, waterfalls, and high alpine meadows. There are abundant places to bivy at the base of the route and often makes carrying the extra weight to sleep under the stars, well worth it!
| GALLERY |
| ITINERARY AND PREP |
Pre-Trip call
Guides and guests connect via Google Meet to discuss gear selection for the course, meet our new teammates, discuss the climb, and, answer any lingering questions the team has.
The climb
Hit the trailhead around 3 am from the Glacier Gorge junction hiking about 5 miles to Black Lake. This area in the park is one of pristine beauty, soak it in!
Begin climbing at sunrise at the base of the North Ridge with the goal of a summit by early afternoon. All of our technical sections will take place after sunrise, so take in the views!
Tag the summit and begin our non-technical descent down the backside of the Spearhead formation.
Bivy Overnight & Climb
The team meets in town for a coffee and gear prep at Kind Coffee in Estes at 8:00 am.
After our gear shakedown, we’ll head to the Glacier Gorge trailhead and hike up to Glacier Gorge Junction, making our way to Black Lake.
We will set up camp in one of the numerous bivy sites of the area around one pm and enjoy time in the cirque.
Dinner around 5 pm!
Morning wake-up starts around 5 am, with the team moving by 6 am towards the base of Spearhead.
Summit, descend, and pack out!
End of day debrief
At the cars, we focus our attention on the day; sharing the Rose, the Bud, and the Thorn to ruminate more deeply on the experience. It is often customary ( but not mandatory) to have a meal back in the town to celebrate the great days spent in the mountains!
Technical Experience
Guests should be seasoned multi-pitch climbers with some experience using traditional climbing gear.
Fitness
Excellent physical fitness is required. Climbers must be able to hike and climb for many hours while carrying a pack. Training for Advanced Alpine Climbing is a great fitness program to develop a strong alpine climbing base. 50% intensity is a good marker of alpine fitness for this weekend.
Altitude
No prior experience at altitude is required.
SKYLINE OF SPEARHEAD
HALFWAY ALONG THE RIDGE
- Group climbing equipment
- Small compressible multi-pitch backpack
- Climbing helmet, harness, and climbing shoes
- Certified guides
- National Park Pass, must have on your person
- Personal hiking gear such as backpacks and poles
- Snacks while on route
- Transportation to the venue
- Tips for guides
| WHATS INCLUDED |
LEADING ON THE NORTH RIDGE
SUMMIT VIEWS!
| PRICING DETAILS |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
spearhead, north ridge
June/Sept
10-12 Hours
Intermediate
Single: $650
Partners: $390 Per Person
Private TripS
Summer 2027 Live!
| QUESTIONS |
Spearhead North Ridge.
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Smile focuses on small groups and ratios that meet/exceed the professional standards of mountain guiding. Spearhead is guided at a 2:1 ratio, with up to four guests and two guides.
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Probably, Yes! The Keyhole Ridge best serves climbers with some multi-pitch climbing experience, and is a fantastic entry level alpine route in Rocky. Excellent general fitness is expected to have success with the long hikes and larger climbing days.
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Yes, we provide the following gear at no charge for our alpine climbs. Helmet, harness, climbing shoes, and a small multi-pitch backpack. Please note- we may be able to supplement other gear needs so please make your reservations early and email climb@smilemountainguides.com with personal gear requests.
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Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.
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Aside from the technical gear that we are often able to provide we strongly recommend bringing everything on the Equipment List. These kits have been dialed and tested by our guides for over 20 years; while you may not end up using everything you bring, weather variability in the mountains demands that we’re ready to dress for any and all conditions! -
ESTES PARK, COLORADO: GETTING THERE
Estes Park, Colorado is located in the Northeastern part of Colorado and is approximately 45 minutes from Boulder. A mecca for climbing, hiking, cycling, and foodies; make sure you plan to spend some time in town before and after your SMG trip. Estes Park serves as the launching point for all of our climbs in Rocky Mountain National Park.
*If you plan to combine additional days of climbing in Eldorado Canyon or The Flatirons then Boulder, CO is also a logical place to base your lodging for your trip.
The best option for flying to the area is through Denver, CO.
You will likely need to organize a rental car to drive to Estes Park from Denver. Typically in the summer months, you can choose any type of vehicle. Below are some approximate driving times to get to Estes Park, CO.
Denver, CO: 1.5 hours
Boulder, CO: 45 minutes
Colorado Springs, CO: 2.5 hours
Estes Park has many great hotels, suites, and vacation rentals for you to stay in while you’re in the area. Call our office at 410-982-8282 if you have any questions about what would suit you best for this trip! Below are just a few options catering to different lodging styles and preferences.
Boulder, CO also has many great hotels, suites, and vacation rentals for you to stay in while you’re in the area.
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Please email:
climb@smilemountainguides.com for more information about this program or any other Rocky Mountain National Park alpine climbing programs.