Mars Block  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  8,200' Lat, Long:  39.9661, -105.2917 Map Page Views:  112. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Tony B on May 31, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 66° | 45° 59° | 43° 68° | 39° 75° | 43° 81° | 46°

Description 

This is a small crag compared to others in this general area, but it is the highest in elevation. This rock forms a summit cap on the Western ridge above the North side of Fern Canyon. From the top, you look back on a nice view down into town and to the West into the mountains. The angle from which you view all the other crags is almost disorienting.

The rock here is generally compact smooth and solid, with one notable exception (Almond Joy, 5.8+) and is given to slab and face climbing. The non east-face routes here range in height from 30' to 70' and in difficulty from 5.3 to 5.13.

The south face gets sun most of the day, and the West face in the afternoon.

To descend this rock, downclimb about 1/2 way down the East face on the South end to a point where it is possible to step left around a corner and onto the ground, or climb to reach the anchors on one of the several sport routes and rap off.

Getting There 

Head up the Fern Canyon trail passing Fern Canyon and the Nebel Horn Ridge, eventually arriving at a flat "pass" with loose gravel as a base (very little soil) and braided trails. To the right (North) there is a stubby-looking summit tower, and this is the Mars Block. You are looking at the shortest face, the South. The harder climbing is all on the West side, the easier climbing faces you on one of the two south-facing aspects, and the tallest stuff is only revealed by walking under it to the West.

The Classics