Another sea of granite in the South Platte. Mostly smaller formations with one to three pitch routes. Many gems hiding out in these rocks, but finding them will take some time and some walking. Major formations in the area include, from North to South: The Gemstones, Spoof Rock, Chair Rocks, The Slabbo, Ragnarok, The Boulder pile (hundreds of smaller formations West of Ragnarok), and the Cracked Wall.
Fire Damage has caused access issues in this area but recent news from a ranger in the area suggests that the area is open but only to foot traffic. While the walk is long, there are some routes that will be worth it and the solitude can't be beat...........................................................
Getting There
Top Of The World is off of HWY 126 just past the town of Buffalo Creek. Park along the hwy 2.6 miles South East of Buffalo and walk up Fire Road 538 going left at the junction after 1.7 miles, the right hand road is signed and leads to Top Of The World Campground (closed). Continue on the main road for another 1.8 miles to the old parking area, cross a fence and follow trails to Chair Rocks, Spoof Rock and the The Gemstones (The Gemstones can been seen from the parking area for The Cathedral Spires off Foxton Road). For the other crags, continue on the road for another 0.5 miles past the trail to Chair Rocks to another junction and pick up another trail off of the left hand branch that leads to Slabbo and Ragnarok. The right trail leads to Cracked Wall and Boulder Pile.
Organization
The Gemstones Upper Gemstone Lower Gemstone
Spoof Rock
Chair Rocks The Kingpin Parking Lot Rock The Pawn High Chair Chair Rock The Knight
Slabbo
Ragnarok
Boulder Pile The Dork Holding BLock H&R Block Tree Slab Physical Face Threller Pillar Mitosugia Face Green Slab Evening Light Slab Naked Rock Weasel Rock Weasel Ranch The Aerie
At the end of the forest service road is an old quarry. A private residence is now being built there and No Trespassing signs have been posted. Probably the easiest way to get to the end of the forest service road is to take a bike on the Colorado trail which links back up with the road near its end. Then stash it and hike around the private property to the left (north).
By Jeremy Hakes From: Golden, Colorado Sep 24, 2007
Definitely closed at the end of FR538. It is not clearly posted where the private property begins and public FS land ends. The very old faint road heading east is very overgrown, loose, and miserable. Might be best approached from the east? From FR538 to the base of Chair Rocks was 4.0 miles according to my bike computer and also my GPS.