Zappa's Tooth  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  9,100' Lat, Long:  40.1783, -105.4896 Map Page Views:  1,136. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Bill Duncan on Sep 17, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Zappa's Tooth, as viewed from CO Hwy 7 near Allens...

Description 

Zappa's Tooth is a 175' high secluded crag with really good rock and an outstanding view of the Allenspark valley, Mt. Meeker, and Wild Basin. Since it faces west, it enjoys afternoon sun and at 9,100' is perfect for the roasting days of summer. Route locations are generally listed with reference to "the Cavity", which is the large recessed alcove in the center-left of the face. The character of this rock is really full of features. The steep sections are often easier than they look. Knobular protuberances are everywhere.

There is still some development left to be done here too, so the adventurous aspect of FAs has not yet been exhausted. Fixed anchors, if any are required, should be placed from the ground up without exception. Think Zappaesque.

Zappa's Tooth was born after an evening of Zappa Plays Zappa in Denver the night before the first ascents. If you're fond of Frank Zappa or fine guitar playing, you'll understand. The route names are of course Zappa tunes, etc.

L->R:

A. Flakes, 8, 1p, 125', gear.
B. Dirty Love, 9, 1p, 175', gear.
C. Sheik Yerbouti, 9 PG-13, 1p, 175', gear.
D. Central Scrutinizer, 9, 1p, 175', gear.
E. Titties & Beer, 8+, 1p, 150', gear.
F. Spinach is my New Lettuce, 8 PG-13, 1p, 150', gear.
G. Trouble Every Day, 8, 1p, 150', gear.

Getting There 

The crag is located in proximity to The Ironclads and Punk Rock (see the map below). Take CO Highway 7 to Bunce School Road. This road has been greatly improved recently (summer 2011) due to logging activity in the area. Follow Bunce School road to the Punk Rock turn-off and follow this as far as you can. If you have a high-clearance vehicle and some skill, it's possible to drive much closer to this crag on FR 216A, possibly to within a half-mile if you have a serious rig. The road loops, but has a spur at the high point of the loop that leads to the top of the saddle behind the Ironclads. I recommend taking the left fork of the loop - some road building may be required. There is a sign at the saddle that says 216A "Dead End" (see pic below), and some cables have been placed to the right to prevent vehicles from continuing. Hang a right here and follow an old trail that leads up and over the hill to the backside of the Tooth.

The crag is clearly visible across the valley when heading south down the hill from Allenspark.

If you find UTM coordinates much better than lat/long as I do: 13 0458248 E, 4447545 N.

The Classics

Featured Route For Zappa's Tooth

Flakes 5.8  CO : Estes Park Valley : ... : Zappa's Tooth

This is the first obvious crack on the left side of the Cavity. It follows a series of nice, clean flakes up the buttress. Start in the dihedral and jam and stem up to the roof. Pass the roof on the right and continue up to the ledge. Go left to the face or right to more flakes.Walk off to the south.... all what we got here is American made, it's a little bit cheesy, but it's nicely displayed.... FZ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

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BETA PHOTO: 1) Flakes, 8. 2) Dirty Love, .9. 3) Sheik Yerbouti...	Topo of the precise location of the crag.	BETA PHOTO: When you see this sign, turn right, step over the ...
Frank Zappa 1940-1993.	The view from Zappa's Tooth. Allenspark is near t...	Storms moving in over Zappa's Tooth. The outline ...