The Skillet is a unique and worthy crag located on a steep hill above the Frying Pan river. Many have described the beautiful rock here as a mix between Eldo and Mill Creek. As such, the lines tend to be very technical while also requiring some power to pull through the cruxes. Most of the routes are sport, with a few mixed gear and trad routes thrown in for good measure. If you want more trad, keep heading up the trail to the upper crags.
The cliff faces south, and makes for good cragging on cooler days. The left and right sides are in the shade at various times during the day, making it possible to climb here in warmer temps as well.
Getting There
Follow Frying Pan road out of Basalt towards Reudi Reservoir. Just before the turn off to the dam, there is a shady pullout on the road. Park here and then walk back down the road towards Basalt for a hundred feet or so, until you see a rough trail heading up the steep hillside towards a broken cliff band. The trail traverse the bases of this cliff from left to right before continuing up the hillside to the Skillet. Expect 20 to 25 minutes on the steep uphill hike.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Skillet:
The easiest routes here are 5.9,there are three of them, everything else is harder. The new Rifle & Western Colorado guidebook has good info on all of them.
Print a Mini-Guide - Includes Routes!
RSS Feed
