Checkerboard Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  5,384. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Brian Milhaupt on Apr 6, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 75° | 41° 81° | 41° 79° | 45° 79° | 46° 77° | 43°

Season raptor closures MORE INFO >>> The following areas are closed from March 1-July 31 or until further notice: Twin Owls, Rock One, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sheep Mountain, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Lightning Rock and Checkerboard Rock are currently closed. The closures include the named rock formations and the areas extending 100 yards surrounding the base of the formation. This includes all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber's access trails to the formation. Alligator Rock is also closed. www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/area_closures.htm This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Low down on P1. Photo by Ken Parker.

Description 

This aptly named rock face sits below Batman rock, and is easily reached via the Batman rock trail. This is a good spot to climb if you don't have a full day. The approach is approximately half that of Batman Rock, and none of the climbs to my knowledge are longer than two pitches. The rock itself is split broken vertically by a chimney in the middle and horizontally by a ledge that spans the entire length about 2/3 up. The climbing is less than vertical, and even the cracks have a slab feel.

Getting There 

From the new parking lot, take the west trail towards the old Twin Owls parking lot ~0.6 miles. From the old Twin Owls parking lot, follow the approach trail for Batman Rock. After the trail starts to go up, start to look for a cairn on the left, which will take you to the left side of the base. Scramble down past the chimney, and back up the other side to the better routes. [When approaching the rock you will come upon the right side first.] Although the rock is 200' high, it is hard to see above the trees before you actually get there. ~40-50 minutes to approach.

Please check the closures before climbing.

The Classics

Featured Route For Checkerboard Rock

Ziggie's Brother Hank 5.10  CO : Lumpy Ridge : Checkerboard Rock

A good face climb (protected primarily by bolts) in a somewhat questionable position, as it crosses the classic crack line of Ziggie's Day Out. Start just above the large block on the left side of Checkerboard Rock. Climb up to a bolt, using a short crack for pro, clip it and make 5.10 moves to attain the zig-zag crack of Ziggie's Day Out. Place a tcu, and continue up a steep wall past more bolts to a hidden 2-bolt anchor. Many will be comfortable without any gear other than QDs....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO