Fairbanks Environs: Granite Tors  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  2,553. Good page?    Administrators:  Jared LaVacque, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  TobinPetty on Jun 10, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Lizard's Eye and Rock 1

Description 

The Granite Tors are a collection of granite buttresses located above tree line on the ridges that circumvent the Martin and Rock Creek drainages within the Chena Hot Springs recreation area. Though there is an established loop trail that makes accessibility easier to the crags there is a remote nature to the climbing and care should be taken not to underestimate the approach and other associated risks in traveling Alaska's backcountry.

Getting There 

From Fairbanks take the Steese Expressway to Chena Hot Springs road and take the road to milemarker 39 and a camping ground area (parking fee $5) that marks the start to access Granite Tors trailhead. Cross the road and follow the south bank of the Chena river to a fork in the trail. Leaving the river you can gain a ridge that ascends a series of increasingly elevated hills to above tree line. From here the trail continues up and loops through the various Tors climbing sites. Approach time: 2 hours. If you take the trail at the fork that continues to follow the Chena approach time is 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

The Classics

Featured Route For Fairbanks Environs: Granite Tors

Little Maniac/Dead End Crack 5.10 R  AK : Interior Alaska/Alaska Rang... : ... : Asgard Tor

This is THE crack of the Tors. The crack varies from hands to fingers before tapering out to 5.9 run-out at the top. A fixed pin at the top of the crack was pulled out with a gentle tug this summer. A couple bolts a the top of this climb would make the lead considerably safer.To top rope the climb, go around to the south side of the rock and follow a ramp to a grassy ledge. From the grass head towards the wide gap (chimney) that leads to the top. The moves are a bit committing here and I have to...[more]   Browse More Classics in AK