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The Monkey Skull Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Monkey Skull

L › R R › L A › Z

	5.7 Crack T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Amy, Good Gorilla T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Casual Corner T 5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Fever Dance T 5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
	Fringe Dweller T,S,TR 5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Hollow Be Thy Name T,S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Looking for Trouble T 5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
	Monkey Trial T,S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Ripple S 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Skull and Bones S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Summit Block T,S 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b R
	Sunshine Dihedral T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Upside The Cranium S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
Unsorted Routes:

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Explore this area in 3D

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:	6,588 ft	2,008 m
GPS:	40.17882, -105.35018 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	33,537 total · 109/month
Shared By:	Richard M. Wright on Dec 31, 2000
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: MM 23-29.5 - now ended daily CO 7 highway closure/delays Details

Per Climbing Puerto Rico: the daily CO 7 highway closure/delay access issue is no longer a problem according to CDOT the construction finished as of Nov. 11, 2022.

From CDOT: Colorado Highway 7 is closed daily from MP 23-29.5. Motorists can only travel through the area between 6-8 am and 4-7 pm. During these timeframes, pilot cars will lead alternating one-way travel. Drivers should plan for delays, and this schedule will remain in place through Memorial Day 2022.

During the closure, motorists need to take US 36 to CO 7.

codot.gov/projects/co7-lyon…

Description

The Monkey Skull is arguably the most popular climbing destination in the SSV canyon. It is a large, West facing plate with a good mix of moderate trad and moderate sport routes. Most of the climbing runs into 5.9 to 5.10+. The Monkey Skull is a good granite crag that picks up afternoon sun, and it has a short approach and enough routes to keep a climbing party busy for a day.

Getting There

The Monkey Skull is just about 6.5 miles up canyon. Parking can be had on the South side of the road. The crag and the trail up are obvious from the road.

13 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at The Monkey Skull

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

5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 106 ● Casual Corner Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 111 ● Sunshine Dihedral Trad
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 57 ● Fringe Dweller Trad, Sport, TR
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 142 ● Upside The Cranium Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 36 ● Hollow Be Thy Name Trad, Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 23 ● Skull and Bones Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 11 ● Monkey Trial Trad, Sport
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 16 ● Fever Dance Trad