Picket Fence

BETA PHOTO: Picket Fence as seen from Spire Four

Description 

The Picket Fence is a small interesting area to the northwest of the Cathedral Spires. This area is seldom visited, and remains mostly undeveloped. Twenty or more unique spires await climbing without the crowds of the Cathedral Spires. However, because of the lack of previous ascents, much of the rock is covered in moss and lichen, and one must be careful of possible loose rock still on the climbs.

Before heading out to the Picket Fence for the first time, get a great view and orient yourself from the base of Station 13 in the Cathedral Spires. Bring a standard rack for most of the climbs, few routes are bolted.

Getting There 

Park at the trailhead for the Cathedral Spires, a few miles past the Needles Eye. Follow the trail #4 towards the Cathedral Spires, and when the small climber's trail heads right at the base, make sure to stay left. Continue up a big hill that works its way behind the Cathedral Spires. The trail then bends to the right. Follow this up a gradual hill until a large flat spot with no vegetation is encountered. This should be right before the trail heads downhill steeply.

This is the base of the Picket Fence. Directions from here are different depending on the destination rock.

The Classics

Featured Route For Picket Fence

5.7 route on Wicked Picket 5.7  SD : Custer State Park : ... : Wicked Picket

Three pitch route that starts on the Southeast corner of the formation. The first pitch ends on the southeast side after a series of blocks meets a headwall. Belay at the green/yellow area. The second pitch goes up to the left (easier) or right (harder) with the next belay at a ledge before continuing around the corner to the ledge with a tree on it. Continue on the small ledge with a tree on it traversing to a nice vertical crack. Top out. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in SD

Photos of Picket Fence Slideshow

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This map is from Touch the Sky and will help enorm...	Photo of the Picket Fence and the Mystery Spires f...	Picket Fence from Spire 2 or 3
Mystery Spires and Picket Fence