Home - Destinations - iPhone/Android - Gyms - Partners - Forum - Photos - Deals - What's New
 ADVANCED
Skunk Canyon
Patagonia Men's Mixed Guide Hoody

$299.00 50% off

$149.50

at Patagonia

137    more...
Evolv - K2 Lace Rock Shoe

$110.00 45% off

$59.99

at GearX

31    more...
Grappling Hook

$157.70 24% off

$118.28

at CampSaver

23    more...
Black Diamond Flight Harness

$69.95 20% off

$55.96

at Backcountry

   more...
EVOLV Pontas II Climbing Shoes

$125.00 20% off

$100.00

at EMS

   more...
Ultralight - Universal Crampons

$129.95 25% off

$97.46

at CampSaver

9    more...
Women's Thunder

$99.00 29% off

$69.95

at WildernessX

352    more...
Evolv Pontas II Climbing Shoe

$124.95 20% off

$99.96

at Backcountry

   more...
Kelty Low-Love Chair

$89.99 25% off

$67.49

at AlsSports

   more...
 more Dirtbag Deals

Select Area...
Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Heaven 
Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab 
Ridge 3 aka Angel's Way 
Ridge 4 aka Mohling Arete 

Skunk Canyon 


Photos: Recent | Best | Popular
Elevation: 5,500'
Lat, Long: 39.9777, -105.2917 Map
Page Views: 122,698. Good page?   
Administrators: Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: Leo Paik on Oct 16, 2006

Make this area a Favorite
What's New
 Printer View

Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event 

Some crags in this area are closed 1 February to 31 July: MORE INFO >>>


Approach Trail to Skunk Canyon.

Description 

This is a organizational entry to assist with those trying to find the 4 ridges of Skunk Canyon upon suggestion by one of our users. This area is subject to seasonal closures on Ridge 2, 3, & 4 (typically Feb 1- July 31).

Here you will find 1 - 8 pitch routes. There are climbs from 5.0 to 5.14a here. Most routes are on the adventurous side. You will find predominantly traditionally-protected routes, so bring your rack if you rope up. Probably, the most popular routes here are Stairway to Heaven, 5.4, Satan's Slab, 5.8 S, Angel's Way, 5.2, & Mohling Arete, 5.5 S. There is room for new routes here.

This a fairly infrequently visited area, so you will likely find solitude here. If you venture west of Ridge Four, you will likely find yourself in one of the least visited locales in the Boulder area.

Note, the area is rather full of poison ivy, for those who are sensitive. Also, there are bears & mountain lions known to habit these parts.


Getting There 

The most rapid access to this area is to park at the NCAR parking lot at the top of Table Mesa. Hike W toward the Mesa Trail. Hike N on the Mesa Trail toward Skunk Canyon. There are various trails heading W into the bottom of Skunk Canyon. Head W. Expect 30-60 minutes for the approach depending on the route.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Skunk Canyon:
Angel's Way   5.2     Trad, 8 pitches, 1200 feet   Ridge 3 aka Angel's Way
Stairway to Heaven   5.3     Trad, 6 pitches, Grade III   Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Hea...
Love   5.4     Trad, 3 pitches   Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Hea...
Mohling Arete   5.5 R     Trad, 10 pitches, 1500 feet   Ridge 4 aka Mohling Arete
Purgatory   5.6 R     Trad, 3 pitches   Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
Satan's Slab   5.8 R     Trad, 8 pitches   Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
Burger Madness   5.10b     Trad, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
Armed Forces   5.11-     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Hea...
The Guardian   5.12d     Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Hea...
Browse More Classics in Skunk Canyon

Featured Route For Skunk Canyon
George Bell on the first pitch of Enchanted Devil, Flatirons Central. <br /> <br />Photo by Warren Teissier.

Enchanted Devil 5.3 R  CO : Flatirons : ... : Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
This is a fun and highly recommended 4 pitch route that joins the East Face and Satan's Slab route on the ridge atop the 3rd section of Satan's Slab.Hike up Skunk Canyon and move right into the gully between Ridge 1 (Stairway to Heaven) and Satan's Slab (Ridge Two). Hike up the gully for some 200 yards past the first and second pieces of the slab and find a large flat rock at the base of the third piece.We climbed this route with a 60m rope.P1-...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO


Photos of Skunk Canyon Slideshow Add Photo
The entrance to Skunk Canyon in the fall is a yellow tunnel of Mountain Maple, Box Elder, Willow, and Poison Ivy in spots. The Creeping Barberry is an evergreen in the Holly family (Mahonia) and keeps its color year round. Photo by Tony Bubb, 10/06.

The entrance to Skunk Canyon in the fall is a yell...

The remains of a cougar-killed deer after being picked over by a bear in Skunk Canyon, in the Flatirons of Boulder, CO. Photo by Bubb, autumn 2006.

The remains of a cougar-killed deer after being pi...

I am pretty sure we can identify ridge #2 in blue. What is Green?, yellow? and red?

BETA PHOTO: I am pretty sure we can identify ridge #2 in...

I took this from the top of Front Porch. Is this ridge 1,2,3, and 4???

I took this from the top of Front Porch. Is this r...

Patrick Edlinger doing laps on The Guardian, Skunk Canyon, photo: Bob Horan Collection.

Patrick Edlinger doing laps on The Guardian, Skunk...

Bob Horan on Beware the Future, Skunk Canyon.

Bob Horan on Beware the Future, Skunk Canyon.

Before this boulder is Hillbilly, Ridge 1, and Ridge 2 directly on your right, Achean Pronouncement uphill to your left.

BETA PHOTO: Before this boulder is Hillbilly, Ridge 1, and Rid...


Comments on Skunk Canyon Add Comment
Show which comments