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Elevation: 6,525 ft
GPS: 39.7378, -105.3196
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 250,406 total · 885/month
Shared By: Michael Komarnitsky on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures/CDOT Road Work DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This is a nice rock, easily seen from the road. There are a number of medium difficulty sport climbs well protected here. People's Choice always seems to have people on it, as well as the routes on the far left side. It is a great place for beginner sport leaders.

Note, this has become popular with large group outings.

Getting There Suggest change

Get on US 6 from Golden, going West. High Wire Crag is directly above east entrance to Tunnel 2, which is 4.9 miles from the FIRST TUNNEL. Park before the bridge, on either side. Be careful - the road shoulders are small, and there are always buses full of old people on their way up to Blackhawk. Walk across the bridge on the south side (a little sketchy), and walk south up the hill following the trail up to the rock. There is a bit of exposed 3rd to 4th Class which has injured the less than wary.

To approach the right side of the crag, you ascend a gully off the north side of the road and cut back to these climbs.

Parking

Suggest change
The "NO PARKING ZONE" is on the SOUTH side of the road. The fine is at least $22. It has been that way since before the crushed car, ~2006. (Now that was an amazing photo!)

Parking is permitted on the NORTH side of the road, the side nearest the creek a few hundred yards to the east.

L->R:

Suggest change
A. Everything Rhymes with Orange, 9, 1p, 85', bolts.
B. Pony Up, 8, 1p, 80', bolts.
C. Poker Face, 8 or 9, 1p, 80', bolts.
D. Arete, 9, 1p, 80', TR.
E. Stone Cold Moderate, 7, 1p, 85', gear or bolts.
F. 5th of July, 9+, 1p, 85', bolts.
G. Ace in the Hole, 10-, 1p, 85', bolts.
H. Left Long Moderate Dihedral (originally submitted as Crack Swindler), 6-8, 1p, 85', gear or TR.
I. Cracker Jack, 9, 1p, 80', gear or bolts.
JI. Bypass, 10, 1p, 80', bolts.
KI. Overpass, 11+, 1p, 80', bolts
LI. Passing Lane, 9 PG-13, 1p, 85', bolts.
LM. The Contrarian, 9-, 1p, 60', bolt & gear.
M. Deuces Wild, 10-, 2p, 135', bolts.
N. Via Comatose Amigo, 10, 1p, 125', bolts.
O1. Moderate Dihedral, 7, 2p, 200', gear.
O2. Jackpot, 10+ to 12, 1p, 110', bolts.
P. Road Rash Roof, 12-, 1p, 100', bolts.
Q. Dead End Crack, 7, 1p, 60', gear.
R1. The Savage, 12+, 1p, 80', bolts.
R2. Road Warrior, 12+, 1-2p, 130', bolts.
S. Road Kill, 12-, 3p, 200', bolts.
T. In Between Days, 10, 1p, 60', TR.
U. People's Choice, 10+, 1-4p, 210', bolts.
V. Nickels and Dimes, 8+, 2p, 110', bolts & gear.
W. Slot Machine, 11+/12-, 1p, 85', bolts, (right of P3 of S).
X. Full House, 11+ or 12, 1p, bolts (right of P3 of S).
YX. Bouncer, 11+, 1p, bolts, (right of P3 of S).
Z. Wild Card, 12, 1p, bolts (right of P3 of S).

Right of Tunnel (different approach)

AA. Power Play, 12 PG-13, 1p, 140', bolts.
BBAA. Hip at the Lip, 12-, 1p, 140', bolts.
CC. Ghetto Activity, 10, 1p, 40', bolts.
DDCC. Ghetto Head, 12-, 1p, 40', bolts.
DD. Head Up Dirty, 12+, 1p, 100', bolts.
DDCC. Head Up Activity, 12-, 1p, 50', bolts.
above DD. Project, 1p, bolts.
EE1. Idiot's Roof, 11, 1p, 60', gear.
EE2. Machine Gun Funk, 13-, 1p, 80', bolts.
above EE. Everyday Struggle, 10+, 1p, 40', bolts.
FFEE. Indirect Savant, 12, 1p, 60', bolts.
GG. Idiot Savant, 11 or 12-, 1p, 60', bolts.
HH. Notorious, 13-, 1p, 40', bolts.
II. Life After Death, 13, 1p, 80', bolts.

Rattlesnake warning!

Suggest change
Beware: rattlesnakes have been known to frequent this area.

40 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: High Wire Crag Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at High Wire Crag

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 515
Stone Cold Moderate
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 475
Pony Up
Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 421
Nickels and Dimes
Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 492
Poker Face
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 721
5th of July
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 463
Cracker Jack
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 213
Everything Rhymes with Orange
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 375
Ace in the Hole
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 375
Deuces Wild
Sport 2 pitches
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 336
Via Comatose Amigo
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 658
People's Choice
Sport 4 pitches
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 75
Road Kill
Sport 3 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 122
Road Rash Roof
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 16
The Savage
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 61
Machine Gun Funk
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Stone Cold Moderate
 515
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Pony Up
 475
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Nickels and Dimes
 421
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Poker Face
 492
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport, TR
5th of July
 721
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Cracker Jack
 463
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Everything Rhymes with Orange
 213
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Ace in the Hole
 375
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Deuces Wild
 375
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport 2 pitches
Via Comatose Amigo
 336
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
People's Choice
 658
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport 4 pitches
Road Kill
 75
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport 3 pitches
Road Rash Roof
 122
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
The Savage
 16
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Machine Gun Funk
 61
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in High Wire Crag »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Routes Mostly Face: South
Sunny Roughly 9am to 3pm during high season
6am
8pm

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