The Solar Dome is a small, non-descript crag up hill and a bit West of The Upper Security Risk. Really, it looks like a small improbable blob with little to offer. In fact, The Solar Dome is a well developed sport crag on short, but typical Boulder Canyon granite. Most routes are under 70 feet in length and have been well bolted. Surprisingly good climbing can be had for such short routes. Since the crag sits on top of the hill, it gets good sun all day long. However, it also picks up most of the bad weather blowing through Boulder Canyon. On a warm summer day, The Solar Dome is a great place to catch the rays and pick off a few good climbs. The climbing is largely 5.10 to 5.12, although a few very moderate lines have been installed. Presently, there are at least twenty routes in place with link-ups possible for many of these.
The most hassle free approach to The Solar Dome is to hike up from The Upper Security Risk crag. This adds about 10 minutes to the hike up from Boulder Canyon making the entire walk at least 45 minutes. In the past, it was possible to approach The Solar Dome from the North, parking on the hill just before it drops down to Dream Canyon parking. This entails crossing private land, which has caused some trouble in the past several years and is to be avoided if possible. That said however, we have used the Northern approach after first checking with the land owners.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Solar Dome (aka LightHouse):
The next face climb left of Hillside, Montana Floodgates starts with hard move right off the deck. I thought it was a bit harder than 11a. The move right, around a blocky bulge was a little spooky, leading off in thin hands with sub-par feet. The climbing settles down a long way for seversal bolts, picking up a few good moves with in-obvious sequences higher up. Another great warm for the harder routes on the crag, or a fun romp by itself....[more]Browse More Classics in CO
Photos of The Solar Dome (aka LightHouse) Slideshow
Climbed in short sleeves on Nov. 20, a day when the Boulder high was forecast around 55 (don't the know actual turned out to be down there but it felt warmer than that here.)
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Slideshow