The Sacred Cliffs

BETA PHOTO: Sacred Cliffs from Bear Canyon (looking north-east...

Description 

While not awe-inspiring, The Sacred Cliffs comprise numerous sandstone blocks and buttresses that form the North-South ridge line of Green Mountain. The area will be closed for raptor nesting until 31 July 2001, which means that it is just about open!! The rock climbs a lot like Eldorado or Mickey Mouse. Over the last decade close to 50 routes have been installed, without coming close to tapping the full potential of the area. These span the gamut from full trad to fully bolt protected.

Most routes are short, with the longer ones running 100 ft and many topping out after 40 to 50 ft, however, at least one two pitch route was established, and it is 140 ft overall. Difficulty largely runs into double digits, although some fine routes can be found at 5.9 or easier. Nearly all of the routes face due West and get great sun from noon until sunset. First ascent data is difficult to come by. I was introduced to the area by Joe Desimone more than ten years ago, and he has established many of the better lines on The Sacred Cliffs. Greg Hand and Ray Snead put up some of routes about the time Joe was doing so. Other contributors will be identified as is possible.

Numbering of rocks and routes begins from the North end of the hill with Name Game Rock and route #1, Close to The Edge. The approach via the Green Mountain West Ridge Trail is moderate, gaining only 200 to 300 vertical ft, and takes not longer than 20 minutes from the car.

Getting There 

The best approach to The Sacred Cliffs is from the West. Take Base Line road out of Boulder for several miles until just before the West plateau, approximately one mile West of the Green Mountain summit ridge. Parking can be had on the roadside near a rough four-wheel road that runs into the housing. Follow this road East, passing several houses, until a poorly marked trail departs due East. Take the trail, The Green Mountain West Ridge Trail, for 3/4 mile. This will deposit you at the North end of the mountain near the true summit (8144ft). Climbing begins several yards South of the summit.