The Aircraft Carrier  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  9,000' Page Views:  3,270. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  JasonJNSmith on Nov 7, 2009 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 59° | 36° 57° | 43° 55° | 39° 55° | 39° 54° | 32°

Description 

The Aircraft Carrier is a secluded bouldering spot with a little something for everyone. The first boulder that was developed was the aircraft carrier. This boulder has a about ten problems on it. The area around the boulder has been developed as well yielding an excellent V9 called the Cool Arete.

Getting There 

Take US Highway 24 south from I-70. Drive south through Minturn and up and over Battle Mountain. After about five miles of driving uphill, you will reach the top of Battle Mountain. After this, you will descend for about two miles before going over a large bridge. This is the Red Cliff bridge. Continue over the bridge and down the hill. At the bottom of the hill is the parking on the right for the Kluttergarden. Continue past this parking lot for about two miles before taking a right onto Homestake Road. Homestake Road is a dirt road and appears right before some switchbacks. Once you make a right on Homestake Road, continue down the road until you cross a bridge. Immediately after the bridge park on your right in a small two car pullout. Park here.

Hike north along the river on a trail for about 1/4 mile. After 1/4 mile look left for a large boulder. When you see this boulder, turn left and hike uphill south of the big boulder. Continue hiking uphill on the trail for another 200 feet before reaching the Aircraft Carrier.

The Classics