This is yet another set of beautiful, rounded, granite domes in the South Platte. These domes have 1-2 pitch slab routes with mostly spartan, bolt protection. This area lies just E of the road towards Deckers, alongside a popular kayaking area. A gorgeous area to soak up southern rays during the fall. Can be too toasty on the S faces in the summer. Note the parking signage (it is different than in the guidebook).
There can be unpleasant, poison ivy here.
Getting There
From Denver, go W on US Hwy 285, go S on Foxton Rd just past Conifer, take a L at the T to South Platte (96), towards Deckers, drive 3 miles. Park in a legal spot. You may have to walk along the road a bit to the trailheads. There are 2 drainages to hike. The S drainage is better for the S face of Java Dome and Bali Domes. The N drainage is better for Atlantis Dome (on your L/S-facing) and W face of Java Dome. Approaches take 10-20 minutes.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Atlantis Dome:
The majority of these routes were put in by Marc Hirt, Tim Hudgel and John McMullen in the early to mid 80s. The bolts were drilled from stances on lead, which may explain why they seem scary by modern standards. Take some time in Tuolumne, come back and then see what you think.
The location is 5 miles south of the town of Domerock (signed), not 3 miles south of the junction of Foxton and 96. Directly below the south drainage leading to Bali dome is a small, narrow rapid with a Denver Water sign "no swimming, jumping, having fun".
Didn't someone chop all the bolts here a long, long time ago. Pretty sure these routes are toast ... and most distastefully ugly bolt studs riddle the walls now. A lot of HATE WORK went into removing them, that is easy to see.
I'm sure it's a lot better, more often climbed and loved now right?
We did have some good fun ... and that's what I remember most.
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