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The Stumbling Block

Colorado > Golden > Clear Creek Canyon
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Description

In many respects The Stumbling Block is a terrific crag, if only the approach were more user friendly. The routes face South and South-East, so the crag does well in the summer months, and can be quite cool in the winter. The rock is exceptional by Clear Creek standards being very, very solid. Presently, there are enough routes to keep a party busy for a day, but there is [not much] moderate in place. What it does have, however, are some of the best routes in Clear Creek Canyon.

Getting There

About a quarter of a mile upstream after leaving tunnel one, the road takes a curve to the right. At just this point, look uphill to the right, the North side of the canyon. The Stumbling Block is the crag on the right boasting a gorgeous yellow wall. Park on the South side and find a rough drainage with a steep trail. The trail heads directly uphill for several hundred yards before cutting due West to the crag. Be ever vigilant. Anything that you kick off the trail will hit the road. The whole slope is steep and still has a fair amount scree lying around.

L->R:

A. Gneiss Coverage, 11, 1p, gear.

B. Unknown 1, 6, 1p, 50', gear.

C. Sabaki, 11, 1p, 40', gear.

above E. Decoletage, 12, 1p, 70', bolts.

near E. 1979 Chimney/dihedral, gear.

D. Unknown 2, 7, 1p, 50', gear.

E. FP Chimney, 7, 1p, 60', TR.

F. Naked Kill, 12+ R, 1p, gear & bolts.

G. Razor Blade Titillation, 11+, 1p, 70', bolts & gear.

H1. Battle's End, 12+, 1p, 80', gear & bolts.

H2. Lips Against the Steel, 11, 1p, 90', bolts & gear.

I. Fickle Finger of Fate, 8 X, 1p.

Above The Stumblinb Block - 2 pinnacles

Pinnacle 1, 1p, gear. (1970s-80s)

Pinnacle 2, 1p, gear. (1970s-80s)

Routes from Left to Right

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 2
● Unknown 1
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 4
● Sabaki
Trad, Sport, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 1
● Unknown 2
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 2
● FP Chimney
TR
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 4
● Decoletage
Trad
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b R
 15
● Naked Kill
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 18
● Razor Blade Titillation
Sport
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
 8
● Battle's End
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13
 4
● Lips Against the Steel
Trad, Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Unknown 1
 2
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
● Sabaki
 4
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad, Sport, TR
● Unknown 2
 1
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
● FP Chimney
 2
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b TR
● Decoletage
 4
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad
● Naked Kill
 15
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b R Trad
● Razor Blade Titillation
 18
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Battle's End
 8
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b Sport
● Lips Against the Steel
 4
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13 Trad, Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

GB on the mighty summit, September 14, 1978. Photo by Steve Sarns.
[Hide Photo] GB on the mighty summit, September 14, 1978. Photo by Steve Sarns.
The two pinnacles just up from and east of the Stumbling Block. Photo by George Bracksieck, Aug. 1978. I and Steve Sarns climbed both that day.
[Hide Photo] The two pinnacles just up from and east of the Stumbling Block. Photo by George Bracksieck, Aug. 1978. I and Steve Sarns climbed both that day.
The right side of the Stumbling Block with Razor Blade Titillation (12-), Battle's End (12+), and Lips Against the Steel (11+) in the picture from L to R.
[Hide Photo] The right side of the Stumbling Block with Razor Blade Titillation (12-), Battle's End (12+), and Lips Against the Steel (11+) in the picture from L to R.
The smallest of the two spires.
[Hide Photo] The smallest of the two spires.
The tallest of the two spires.
[Hide Photo] The tallest of the two spires.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Jason Kaplan
Glenwood ,Co
[Hide Comment] Anyone climbed the 10+ OW that I saw in the new guidebook? How is it and what is to be expected? Sep 8, 2008
Casey Bernal
Wheat Ridge, CO
[Hide Comment] You mean this:
Crack a Beer, at the Bumbling Stock.

"Crack a Beer" on the Bumbling Stock formation Sep 8, 2008
Jason Kaplan
Glenwood ,Co
[Hide Comment] Looks like that could be it, where about is that located in the canyon? Looks like a lot of big gear hu? Sep 9, 2008
Wiled Horse
[Hide Comment] Jason, just posted.... Sep 10, 2008
Jay Eggleston
Denver
[Hide Comment] It says in the description that there is nothing "moderate" at the Stumbling Block. This is not true. There are two 5.7s and a 5.8. They are short, but they are moderate. Sep 14, 2013
Mike Bannister 1
Dillon, Colorado
[Hide Comment] I've only been up here once, but the approach gully with two aspens next to the road was significantly more solid, safer, and more enjoyable than the dirty, loose gully to the left. Oct 18, 2015