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The Catslab Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Catslab

L › R R › L A › Z

	Catlong S 5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c
	Crystal Cat S 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Grizabella S 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Gumby Cat S 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
	Gus S 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Jellicle Cats S 5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
	Kitty's Back S 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Lesser of Two Evils S 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
	MacCavity S 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Mr. Mistoffeles S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Mungajerry S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Nasty Kat S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Old Deuteronomy S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Overflow Direct S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Pussy, The S 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
	Reno Rampage T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13
	Rum Tum Tugger S 5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Rumple Teaser S 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Skimbleshanks S 5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
	Summer Fling S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Thinning the Herd S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Unknown T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	When Kats Fart S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

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Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	7,043 ft	2,147 m
GPS:	39.7428, -105.4043 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By:	Michael Komarnitsky on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
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Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

Please be aware of the annual raptor seasonal closures!

Raptor Closures Effective February 1-July 31

Visit: jeffco.us/open-space/news/2…

Tunnel 1 closure
For more details visit: jeffco.us/open-space/alerts…

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 1 (MM 270, W of Tunnel 1). Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 2 (E of Tunnel 2). In 2016, the closure WAS lifted June 9 for ONLY the 2016 season, per Eric Krause, JeffCo OS Ranger. Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

The two areas Jefferson County Open Space intends to close in Clear Creek Canyon, shown on the attached maps, encompass the active eagle nests. If the Clear Creek eagles continue to nest in the active nests, these areas will remain closed from February 1 through July 31. If the eagles choose different nesting sites, the closures will be adjusted accordingly to protect those eagles during their breeding season.

Currently, rock climbing areas that fall inside of the seasonal raptor closures include:

Blonde Formation
Bumbling Stock
Evil Area
Ghost Crag
Highlander
Skinny Legs
Stumbling Block
Tetanus Garden
Fault Caves

Access Issue: Closure Notice - lifted Details

Per Ondra Mahdal: the closure information is over 10 years old (I did call Martha to verify).

Previously, per CDOT/Daniel Dunn, BCC:

"Until further notice, the Cat Slab climbing area, located on the west side of Tunnel 5 immediately to the right if one is going downstream, will be closed for climbing. Clear Creek County Open Space has decided this closure is necessary for safety reasons with ongoing construction in the area. If you have any further questions please contact Martha Tableman at 303-679-2305."

After months of negotiation, Clear Creek County successfully acquired the 76-acre Oxbow Parcel that contains the Cat Slab cliff. While the cliff line is protected, the area is now officially open to the public. The County is working on developing and implementing a site plan to provide safe, off-road parking, which may include shifting the guard rail and gate to provide more parking as a short-term solution.

Cat Slab was a popular crag before it was closed to the public in 2006 due to liability concerns. The County purchased the land using $725,000 in lottery funds, awarded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). The County was supported by numerous recreational groups, including the Access Fund, Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Whitewater, Trout Unlimited, International Mountain Bicycling Association, and Rafting Outfitters on Clear Creek.

Description

Catslab is a popular near-roadside crag with a preponderance of lower end difficulty, bolt protected slab routes; however, there are a few harder routes and some that use gear. Be careful with rope lengths as some have come to find their rope a bit short and have sustained injuries and more. The crag can get quite warm in the sun. The belay areas can be a bit crowded.

If Catslab is crowded head over to Cats vs Dogs Wall which is a five minute walk. It has a similar selection of moderates on good rock.

This crag has had its share of access issues.

Getting There

The Catslab is about 11 miles up the canyon. Take a left at the intersection for Blackhawk and going to Idaho Springs (go towards Idaho Springs). Go through the first tunnel, over the river, then immediately park, if possible, on the south side of the road. Walk back across the bridge, and then proceed about 1/4 mile south along a solid if slightly airy trail, to the slabby, south-facing face.

Per Ryan Dresser: as of 3/29/21, the main parking lot for Cat Slab by Tunnel 5 was closed for construction. The parking along the highway was also roped off with signs that read "No parking, Will Tow".

Per ??: as of 7/6/22 - I just talked to Martha Campbell, and the parking lot and Catslab are now open.

L->R:

A? Lesser of Two Evils, 5, 1p, 35', bolts.

B? Overflow Direct, 10-, 1p, 40', bolts.

C? Thinning the Herd, 9, 1p, 40', bolts.

D. The Pussy , 11+, 1p, 85', bolts & pin.

ED? Unknown, 6 or 8 PG-13, 1p, 70 or 140', gear & bolts or TR.

F. Reno Rampage, 7 PG-13, 1p, 105', gear.

G. Skimbleshanks, 8-, 1p, 130', bolts.

H. Summer Fling , 9+, 1p, 120', bolts.

I. Old Deuteronomy, 9, 1p, 100', bolts.

J. Mungajerry, 9, 1p, 100', bolts.

K. Rumple Teaser, 10-, 1p, 100', bolts.

L. Mr. Mistoffeles, 9, 1p, 110', bolts.

M. Gumby Cat, 4, 1p, 60', bolts.

M+. Jellicle Cats, 9, 1p, 140', bolts.

N. Crystal Cat, 9, 1p, 120', bolts.

O. MacCavity, 9, 1p, 120', bolts.

above O. Kitty's Back, 13-, 1p, 150', bolts +/- gear.

P1. Grizabella, 7, 1p, 95', bolts.

P2. Catlong, 13-, 1p, 150', bolts.

Q. Gus, 10, 1p, 90', bolts.

R. Nasty Kat, 9, 1p, 50', bolts.

Above

A1. Above O. Top Cat, 14-, 1p, bolts.

A2. Above O. Kitty's Back, 13-, 1p, bolts.

B1. Above P. Catlong, 13, 1p, bolts.

B2. Above P. Rum Tum Tugger, 11, 1p, 80', bolts.

Gear

Please be warned! The majority of climbs in this area require a 70m rope to safety reach the ground. Every year, several climbers rap off their ends or are lowered off their rope, resulting in ground fall and severe injuries. Please pay attention to the route you are on and consider closing your system for safety.

Rattlesnake warning!

Per Kelsey Tennett: a rattlesnake has been spotted on the trail in. Be careful with kids!

23 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at The Catslab

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 410 ● Grizabella Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 18 ● Reno Rampage Trad
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c 509 ● Skimbleshanks Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 426 ● Mr. Mistoffeles Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 302 ● MacCavity Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 198 ● Crystal Cat Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 278 ● Old Deuteronomy Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 264 ● Mungajerry Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 122 ● Summer Fling Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 83 ● Overflow Direct Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b 182 ● Jellicle Cats Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 265 ● Rumple Teaser Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 84 ● Gus Sport
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a 64 ● Rum Tum Tugger Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 28 ● The Pussy Sport