The Vault  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  6,900' Lat, Long:  38.6326, -105.2241 Map Page Views:  6,472. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Richard M. Wright on Dec 31, 1969 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Mike Bankoff warming up. Comments about lots of p...

Description 

The Vault consists of two cliff bands lying roughly between Cactus Cliff and the Bank. The area faces East & NE, and so gets good sun in the morning, and shade in the afternoon. Most routes are short in contrast to walls like the 2150 or Cactus Cliff, but what they lack in height they make up in quality. The left crag, a rough continuation of the Bank, consists of numerous little buttresses creating an opportunity for corner, face, and arete climbs in a fairly compact area. While nothing here is particularly far away from the more popular walls, there is usually a feeling of isolation at The Vault that makes for a satisfying excursion. As winter rears its ugly head, we frequently head for The Vault just to keep the summer feeling hanging on a bit longer. The northern, NE-facing end of the wall is sometimes referred to as "The Gem Wall".

Getting There 

From the parking above The Bank, take the road down toward The Bank for ~ 100 yds, then turn right onto the new trail to Cactus Cliff. After ~5 minutes join the recently closed road, heading towards Cactus Cliff. When the road levels off and turns hard right, locate a good trail on the left, immediately south of the new bathroom. Follow this trail for 1 minute up hill to the cliff.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Vault

Smoldering Horse Flesh 5.12a  CO : Shelf Road : The Vault

Smoldering Horse Flesh is your typical old-school Shelf Road sport climb: runout, burly & excellent. The climb is marred somewhat by the temptation to stem out right just above the crux, but if taken directly, this is one of the best lines at The Vault and worth every bit of the 12a grade.Make moderate moves up the steep, dark slab, past a long runout to an easy stance in the obvious scoop. Get psyched for big, committing moves over the steep bulge. Thin pockets & sharp crimps head up the rou...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO