Hal 9000

About

Hal 9000 is a rock climbing route located in Rifle Mountain Park, west of Denver on the Western Slope. The site sits at an elevation of 5,455 feet and is accessible year-round from January through December. Climbers should expect difficult routes, with an estimated visit duration of around 4 hours. The area offers parking in designated areas and is pet-friendly, allowing dogs on the trails. Rifle Mountain Park is managed by the city of Rifle and requires a daily or season entry pass for all visitors. The climbing community, represented by the Rifle Climbers' Coalition, manages climbing-related issues and enforces park regulations. The rock type is limestone from the Leadville formation, which varies in quality and aspect. While Rifle Mountain Park generally offers sport climbing ranging from slightly overhanging to very overhanging, Hal 9000 is specifically categorized as difficult. The park has been a destination for rock climbing since 1921, when a US Patent was signed by Warren G. Harding. Visitors should be aware of potential evacuation orders during events such as the CriticalGold Mountain Fire, though this is situational. The location is well-known for its concentration of high-grade sport routes.