The Pillars  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  561. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Jesse Morehouse on Jun 16, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Jack finishing it off. Good guy to have around in...

Description 

This is an aesthetic and secluded area that is great in the summer due to its higher elevation and aspect. It is comprised of some pillars and a cirque. The rock is basalt, and the quality is intermittent. Most of the routes required significant cleaning prior to leading. You will need a helmet, draws and slings, nuts, and a double set of cams to #3 C4. An old #4.5 Camalot is helpful on one route.

This is a relatively untapped area, and it is hard to judge how much potential exists. Route development requires patience, hard work, and an experienced eye to visualize what lies under the choss.

You can actually see the pillars from the road above the Falls Creek Rd. if you look and the light is right. They are hidden in plain sight by the broken cirque behind them.

Getting There 

Head East on US 160 towards Wolf Creek Pass. After the second runaway truck ramp, look for the Forest Service road on your right named Falls Creek Rd. (FS 39) and turn on to it. Cross the creek and start counting right turning switchbacks. Park at the second or third, they both work, and head up and left into the woods to a small stream. Follow it up to where it gets steep looking for some possible cairns on the far side. Cross the stream and ascend to the bench above. Walk East contouring below the rocky wall of the cirque to the South. There may be intermittent carins. It's a work in progress, so once you figure the trail out, feel free to add to them. Follow the cirque until you see the obvious pillars. Plan on 20 minutes of easy walking with intermittent fallen trees.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Pillars

Two Short 5.4  CO : Pagosa Springs : The Pillars

This is a fun little climb on a nice face. Start on the left side of the face and finish on the right. The anchors are out of sight just over the top of the climb above Two Chicken....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO