Rock Of Ages

Rock of Ages from Arch Rocks.

Description 

Rock Of Ages is a fine granite wall in Rocky Mountain National Park. Unlike the High peaks, this wall has a short approach and is a good cragging wall. The climbs vary between 1-3 pitches in length and are generally from 100 to 200 feet long. If you find yourself in the Estes Park area and it is too late for a long and committing alpine route, consider this wall as an option. Be warned in advance that most of the climbs here are 5.10+ or harder.

The finer grains and lack of inclusions mean that this rock is very high friction in general, and not too hard on the hands. The granite of this wall ranges from scaly in some spots to bullet-hard and perfect in others. For the most part, the rock is clean, but on the lower right the rock is very scaly and difficult to smear or edge upon.

The face predominantly faces south, although the dihedrals on the East and West ends get shade at one time or another for most of the day. You may be able to climb in the shade for a part of the day, but the must-do classic there, Days Of Heaven (10d), sits in the sun all day. Some other notable climbs include Nameless Demons (10a), Center Dihedral (10d), Celestial Gate (11-) and a few solid 5.12s, such as Rope Gun With Silencer (5.12), that are too hard for me to comment on in much more detail than to say "good top-ropes." The original trad lines were done in the early 1980s, with some additional development occuring only recently, nearly 20 years later.

Getting There 

Drive in to the Fern Lake Trailhead, to the very end. Park here and hike past scads of fishermen... (Are there really any fish left here?) ... for a little over a mile until you come to some huge boulders through which the trail is pinched. Just after passing these boulders, you can look up and to the right (North) and see a few solid walls of rock to the North/Northwest. Scamble up a talus field to approach the lowest of these, which is the lower section of Rock Of Ages. This hike will require about 1 hour.

The Classics

Featured Route For Rock Of Ages

Hats Off 5.12a/b  CO : Alpine Rock : ... : Rock Of Ages

Hats Off is located on Rock of Ages. Climb the first pitch of Days of Heaven and belay. Do the first few moves of the second pitch then continue straight up a thin tips crack (12a). Climb up this seam until you are eye level with a row of grips heading right. Place a good piece of gear high in the crack and campus right. The hand holds are pretty good but the feet really suck. One can place a medium wire about half way out the traverse. Continue ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Rock Of Ages Slideshow

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Rock Of Ages is great. Nice exposure and some wild...	The main wall of Rock of Ages is a pretty massive ...	The first "business" on Days of Heaven.