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GPS: 38.4471, -105.216
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 12,799 total · 44/month
Shared By: Richard M. Wright on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

Table Mountain South, not to be confused with South Table Mountain in Golden, had a short mesa top composed of "two columnar jointed, cliff-forming lava flows" - these are generally referred to as basaltic, latite or shoshonite. They contain "augite, plagioclase, and olivine altered to serpentine, with accessory sanidine, orthoclase, apatite, magnetite, and biotite." The rock is similar in appearance to Eldorado Canyon, but it is different. Alas, it has be demolished. This was a very fine grained stone with terrific features separated by blank, featureless surfaces. The crags were 35 to 50 feet in height, largely vertical, and tended toward the moderate grades (5.8 to 5.12-). A few trad routes had been established, but, most routes were well-bolted with good lowering stations. The mesa itself faces South and East and gets good sun until later in the evening. The setting was rather bucolic being so close to civilization. Presently, there were about 25 or so routes, with not much room for more. Further West around the mountain was a decent bouldering area. I thought that this was a nice area for a change in style and pace, and if you are looking for fun, safe moderates, it was worth a visit.

Eds. The geology of the rock types quoted come from the Wikipedia entry, which may help us climbers understand a wee bit more of the rock and its properties.

Getting There Suggest change

Table Mountain South lies between Colorado Springs and Canon City just off Highway 115. The following will work for all points North and South via Interstate 25. From I25 in CS, take exit 140 S/W. At Nevada Ave (highway 115), head South toward Canyon City. At Fort Carson the road narrows to two lanes; from here travel South/West for 15.5 miles. Following a long curve, a recently improved dirt road will take off to the right, through the fence, and head up-hill toward the mesa top that has been view for the last 2 -3 miles. At 1.8 miles, and nearing the top of the mesa, a meadow arises on the right. Park and follow some faint tire tracks toward the top. Across the meadow, a trail will appear that takes you up a small rise, another meadow, and a second short rise to the talus field below the crags. This amounts to about 15 minutes of hiking.

Addendum

Suggest change
This area is and has been closed since at least 2005. Some rumors suggested that the rock has been quarried.

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