Vulture Walls Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 6,513 ft | 1,985 m |
GPS: |
39.34536, -104.75589 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 14,640 total · 50/month | |
Shared By: | Ben Mottinger on Dec 31, 2000 | |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Access Issue: Historical seasonal raptor closures with 2023 updates
Details
Per Castlewood Canyon: there is a new closure for nesting raptors this year: Five and Dime will be closed March 1st through July 31st. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me, Rachel Chaffee (Park Ranger) at dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.us or by phone at 303-688-5242.
Per Garrett Garner-Wells:
the current raptor closures, announced by CPW and reported on Denver7:
The following climbing route closures are currently in place:
- Morning Sun Wall is closed March 1-July 31.
- Porky’s Wall is closed March 1 - July 31.
- Vultures Wall is closed March 1-July 31. (per Rachel, CCSP Ranger, dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.use or 303-688-5242)
- Shakespearean Theater is closed March 1-May 31.
- Mind Meld is closed March 1-May 31.
As of 2020:
There is a very new and active nest of owls midway up the cliff at the north end of the Neanderthal Wall between Cro-Mag and Up The Red. There is no active nest around the south end of Neanderthal Wall.
As of June, 2017:
The 3 toprope routes at the far south end of Neanderthal Wall (far north end of Allied Wall) have a nesting pair of Snowy Owls. Please stay off these routes until further notice. The park has been notified and hopefully some signage will be put up. The route Rock Rat is included.
As of March 7, 2012:
Shakespearean Theater - restricted March, April, May.
Mind Meld - restricted March, April, May.
Porky's Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, through July 31.
Vulture Wall - restricted March, April, May.
Morning Sun Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, July.
Per Garrett Garner-Wells:
the current raptor closures, announced by CPW and reported on Denver7:
The following climbing route closures are currently in place:
- Morning Sun Wall is closed March 1-July 31.
- Porky’s Wall is closed March 1 - July 31.
- Vultures Wall is closed March 1-July 31. (per Rachel, CCSP Ranger, dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.use or 303-688-5242)
- Shakespearean Theater is closed March 1-May 31.
- Mind Meld is closed March 1-May 31.
As of 2020:
There is a very new and active nest of owls midway up the cliff at the north end of the Neanderthal Wall between Cro-Mag and Up The Red. There is no active nest around the south end of Neanderthal Wall.
As of June, 2017:
The 3 toprope routes at the far south end of Neanderthal Wall (far north end of Allied Wall) have a nesting pair of Snowy Owls. Please stay off these routes until further notice. The park has been notified and hopefully some signage will be put up. The route Rock Rat is included.
As of March 7, 2012:
Shakespearean Theater - restricted March, April, May.
Mind Meld - restricted March, April, May.
Porky's Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, through July 31.
Vulture Wall - restricted March, April, May.
Morning Sun Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, July.
Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closure 2022
Details
Due to a variety of species that use Vulture Walls for nesting, it will be closed annually from March 1 - July 31. If you have any questions you can email dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.us or call the park at 303-688-5242 to confirm any of this information.
Description
This is a nice wall with some long sport and trad routes. Several moderate trad lines are worth doing as well as some harder sport routes.
Getting There
Halfway between the dam and the Falls Wall and the East Rim, the quickest approach is via the Creek Bottom Trail. Cross the creek above the falls, then head up the hill to the South. This is the last major section of rock before the canyon point, East of the dam.
L->R:
A. Vulture Culture, 7+, 45', gear.
B. Regulation 9, 11-, bolts.
C. Scandanavian Dreams, 11, bolts.
D. Vulture Club, 8, gear.
E. Too Easy, 6, gear.
F. The Reaper, 11-, gear.
G. Pipeline, 10, gear.
H. Pay Attention aka True Reich, 10+/11-, bolts.
I. Pay Homage, 12-, bolts.
J. Blanket of Secrecy, 11 or 12, bolts.
K. Fly Like A Dog, 11+, 12-, TR.
L. Dynoplop, 12-, TR.
M. Lightning Strikes, 10-, gear.
N. The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, 9+/10-, TR.
O. Oogh Ungh, 9+/10-, TR.
P. Fahrenheit 451, 9+, TR.
Q. Octoroon, 9+/10-, TR.
B. Regulation 9, 11-, bolts.
C. Scandanavian Dreams, 11, bolts.
D. Vulture Club, 8, gear.
E. Too Easy, 6, gear.
F. The Reaper, 11-, gear.
G. Pipeline, 10, gear.
H. Pay Attention aka True Reich, 10+/11-, bolts.
I. Pay Homage, 12-, bolts.
J. Blanket of Secrecy, 11 or 12, bolts.
K. Fly Like A Dog, 11+, 12-, TR.
L. Dynoplop, 12-, TR.
M. Lightning Strikes, 10-, gear.
N. The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, 9+/10-, TR.
O. Oogh Ungh, 9+/10-, TR.
P. Fahrenheit 451, 9+, TR.
Q. Octoroon, 9+/10-, TR.
Classic Climbing Routes at Vulture Walls
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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