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North Table Mountain/Golden Cliffs Rock Climbing
| Elevation: | 6,418 ft |
| GPS: |
39.7684, -105.21798 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 1,155,188 total · 4,299/month |
| Shared By: | Michael Komarnitsky on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Access Issue: Rim Rock Trail Closure
Details
It's likely few climber go there, but it may affect the adventurous.
Description
Sitting above Golden, this popular cliff band faces south & west, so it makes for comfortable winter/cold weather rock climbing. Per Tim Stich: the rock was formed by shoshonite porphyry lava flows, making it unique in character to most other crags in the area. Most routes here are tightly bolted and generally short (60 foot range), so a 50m rope and 10 quickdraws will be sufficient for most routes. Toproping routes is easy to do, with quick access to the top and bolts just below the top of the cliffs. Be careful though; the rock at the top can be loose in places. Make sure you're safe when setting up said toprope. There is only a single trail leaving from each of the two parking lots, and it takes an obvious course up the hill to the cliffs above. Walking this trail, beware of rattlesnakes in the summer and fall. At the point where the trail meets the cliff, you are on the far right (east) side of the cliffs. Also, this area sees a lot of use and some anchors are being severly worn by people running topropes directly through anchors. If you plan to toprope, please preserve the resources by using quickdraws or 'biners to run the rope through, and whenever possible rap off rather than lowering through the anchors.
Note, as the years have gone by and the popularity of this area has increased, the rock has become polished in places...amazingly so in spots. In particular, warm days will increase this characteristic and leave the infrequent visitor feeling sandbagged at times. Beware.
The climbing access here has been preserved with an amazing cooperation of landowner (Mr. Peery), city of Golden, and organizations like AMC, RMFI, and the Access Fund. The area straddles land owned by Golden and Jefferson County Open Space. Note, the regulations will vary slightly as you cross properties.
There is a dumpster here; however, consider recycling your cans and bottles rather than filling landfills.
Note, with time & popularity, some of the basalt here is getting quite polished, similar to limestone.
Organization
On top of the mesa (usually access from the CO 93 lot):
Sea Cliffs of North Quarry
Crater Crag of North Quarry- which is just opposite North Quarry / Pinnacle Area
The sections of crags below the top here L->R:
A. North Quarry / Pinnacle Area
B. The Risk Area
C. Winterfest Wall
D. The Hot Spot Area
E. Winter Warmer Area
F. Twelve Pack Wall
G. Industrial Buttress
H. MBA Buttress
I. Trad Lands
J. Table Top Area
K. Overhang Area
L. Brown Cloud Rocks
M. Child Free Zone (buttresses above & below) - trail comes up below this area.
These areas utilize different parking either off Easley Rd. or Ulysses Way:
N. The Quarry Wall
O. The East Quarry aka The Sport Quarry
P. EMF Wall
Getting There
From the north, take CO Hwy 93 south to Golden. Just as you enter town, take a left on Washington St. Follow Washington to 1st Street, and take another left. Once across the bridge at the bottom of the hill, take a right on Partridge Cr. Turn left (east) on Ptarmigan St. Ptarmigan St. which will turn into Peery Pkwy.
From the west, take US 6 on to CO 58. Exit Washington St and go south to 7th Ave. Go east to Ford St. Go east (just after crossing under CO 58) on 7th Pl. Go north (left) onto Boyd St. Follow this as it goes uphill and curves right and becomes Plateau Pkwy. Take a left and go uphill on to Peery Pkwy to its end as it also curves right (east).
For the above, follow Perry onto a dirt road that will lead to one of two parking lots. The lower lot has the outhouses. Both lots have trails which head uphill. For reference, the new Access Fund trail comes up to the main cliff just below This Ain't Naturita, Pilgrim in the Overhang Area.
The old parking lot from the '90s has been converted into a home & garden.
For the Crater Crag/North Quarry of North Table and possible the left end of the main cliffs: from the intersection of US 6/CO 58/CO 93, head north. On the right, past Pine Ridge Rd. / Wyoming Cir. will be the North Table Mountain Park parking lot. Head up the gravel road.
For the East Quarry, Quarry Wall, and East Bluffs of East Quarry: see the subareas for directions that utilize the MacIntyre exit off CO 58 and Easley Rd.
Fauna
Dogs
Update: as of 2/29/12, there were Golden Animal Control officers at the trailhead who were enforcing an apparently new leash law requiring dogs to be on leash. Given they were handing out "free leashes" for now, it suggests this is a new regulation that applies to the overflow lot.
The lower lot, trail, and a good chunk of the land below the main parts of the cliff are owned by the Access Fund. They do not have regulations on leashes.
Classic Climbing Routes at North Table Mountain/Golden Cliffs
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