The Grendel  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  10,000' Page Views:  3,311. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Kirk Miller on May 8, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (1)   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 82° | 59° 91° | 61° 82° | 57° 86° | 57° 82° | 57°

State Park; Fee Required. MORE INFO >>> Golden Gate Canyon is a State Park and a $6 (2010) fee is required for entrance. Self serve kiosks exist throughout the park. Annual passes can be purchased for $60. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

BETA PHOTO: The Grendel.

Description 

The Grendel looms over the surrounding area from high on the ridge, behind and above Squaw Spire. This crag has highly featured, weathered alpine granite and has yielded several quality sport climbs. From below, it looks bigger than it turns out to be, yet a 70 meter rope is recommended as several of the routes go the distance.

L->R: 

West Face.

A. Beyond the Pale, 8+, 1p, 125', gear.

Southwest Face

B. Beowulf, 11-, 1p, 80', bolts.
C. Daneland, 10, 1p, 110', bolts.
D. Pebble In The Sky, 11+, 1p, 60', bolts.
E.
F. Pierced Lip Lock, 11, 1p, 80', bolts.
G. Academic Freedom, 12, 1p, 70', bolts.

Southeast Face

H. Exit Stage Right, 8, 1p, 70', bolts.
I. Mother Grendel, 9+, 1p, 100', bolts.
J. Leitner Route, 10+, 1p, 45', bolts.
K. Strong Arm Tactics, 11, 1p, 90', bolts.
L. The Monster Mash, 9, 1p, 70', bolts.

Getting There 

Park in the Aspen Meadows campground, and walk back out the entry road. Cross Gap Road and enter the woods directly across from and in line with the campground entry road. Once you encounter the powerline road in the woods, look for cairns marking an old road heading into the forest. Follow old roads, keeping an eye out for cairns, until you find your way up the hill to the saddle area surrounding The Squaw. Follow cairns up the hillside below The Grendel to the crag. The approach takes about 45 minutes.

Regulations 

Eds. Please note that after discussion with GGCSP, the Grendel appears to be within Golden Gate Canyon State Park and thus is subject to its regulations. Hence, any new fixed hardware requires Park approval. However, further investigation of park boundaries could impact this. Thank you.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Grendel

Pierced Lip Lock 5.11b  CO : Golden : ... : The Grendel

This route stands out for me as the best at the cliff: fun, sustained climbing on great rock in a beautiful setting, requiring a variety of techniques. Easy climbing leads past the first bolt into a steep dihedral capped by roofs. Tread lightly at the pierced lip and try not to break it or we'll have to rename the route "Busted Lip"....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of The Grendel Slideshow

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The Grendel, July 21, 2011.	The Grendel, July 21, 2011.	The left side of the southwest face. The V slot o...
The right side of the southwest face. The furthes...	Green = Beowulf, 11-. Red = Daneland, 10. Blue = ...