Skinner Mountain is home to several crack climbs of varying quality in the 5.5-5.10 range, as well as a number of moderate and reasonably bolted slabs. All climbs are generally 2 or 3 pitches, with an easy walkoff descent generally to the northeast and back around to the base. A great place to take beginners for multipitch experience. Wally World, a fun 5.5 which follows cracks, buckets, and slabs for three pitches is one of the better easy trad leads in the area.
Getting There
Take US 285 to Pine Junction, a wide spot in the road at the intersection of US 285 and CO 126, and go south on C O126. The small hamlet of Buffalo Creek is about 9 miles south of US 285/CO 126 junction, or 1 mile south of Pine on CO 126; Skinner Mountain is 5.9 miles south of Buffalo Creek on CO 126. Drive until you see the Kelsey Campground sign and park on the road unless you want to pay the day use fee. Skinner can be seen from the road, so follow your nose generally west on an indistinct trail marked with the occasional cairn. If the correct path is found, you will be deposited about 50 feet above the climb Wally World. The approach takes about 15 minutes from the road.
An aesthetic hand crack in a vertical to overhanging dihedral on Skinner Mountain's obvious headwall, Central Corner provides pleasant if sometimes awkward jams, great pro, and fantastic position. Definitely three stars and worth the hike up to Skinner just for this climb.Central Corner proper is actually the third pitch of any number of climbs on Skinner's lower section. The fastest way to reach the base is by climbing the first two pitches of...[more]
Climbed here on this past Sunday (4/30/06) and had a great day. We helped increase the visibility of some of the cairns on the climbers trail to help limit new trails from being formed.
A slight update to the approach, in hopes that it helps you find the proper trail: When you pass the gate to the campground and walk past the hydrant, head generally towards the rock, but look around for a pile of large boulders. If you walk directly towards these boulders and pass them on your left, you should see the first cairn which sits very low to the ground about 50 feet away in the direction of the rock. Finding the trail after this is pretty easy, and there are plenty of nice small cairns to guide you.
In between the easy cracks on the face, Hubbel lists 3 bolted slab routes. There are at least 4 new routes in addition to those 3 on this face and I am curious as to what they are. Anyone have any ideas?
"...head generally towards the rock, but look around for a pile of large boulders. If you walk directly towards these boulders and pass them on your left, you should see the first cairn which sits very low to the ground about 50 feet away in the direction of the rock..."
Good advice - I thought the most up-slope boulder reminded me of Barney the dinosaur, so look for the Barney Rock and cut up the slope. Also, look for a "keyhole" during somewhat of a later traverse between a couple of boulders, this gets you in the proper ravine trail without as much bouldery/loose soil a hike.
This is a fun crag! Central Corner is Definitely worth the hike. Look for a white post with the number 410 on it. Cross a dry wash. Aim straight for the crag. There is a trail with cairns that is approx. in between a tall pile of boulders on the left and a long low triangular boulder on the right.
I climb here often. I think a total of 6 bolted routes are now on this face. The hardest route is on the far left. I have no idea what it is rated maybe 10 a. It might even be harder. Be aware that a 60 meter rope will not reach the bottom. It will get you to a ledge which is an easy down climb. I would love to know what these routes are rated to the left.
Chains have been added to the right most anchors, plans are to replace the sketchy webbing/cordelette on the other two anchors in the coming weeks. Hope this doesn't offend anyone.
Anyone know about the bouldering just uphill from Kelsey camp ground? I was bored one day and was looking for some aid bouldering practice, hiked up back there instead of up towards Skinner as I was alone and have heard about a cat living up there. Found a few boulders with some cracks, got up top of my first aid problem just to find a freaking bolt! Pretty weak IMO as I only had 2 pads and I felt pretty good. 3-4 would be ideal but still.
So does anyone go bouldering back there? Also what about the formation to the lookers right of Skinner, is there anything on that?
Skinner Mountain
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