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The Gallery
Colorado
> Canon City
> Shelf Rd
Description
Visible to the west of the Sand Gulch Campground is the Gallery consisting of three walls:
1) The Far Side is the southern (left) side of the canyon facing NE
2) The Menses Prow is the central south facing buttress, and
3) The Mural Wall on the right side facing west, and the Fish Wall at its left end.
The Menses Prow includes the prow proper as well as the Bulge Wall around the corner. Both this area and the Mural Wall have high concentrations of quality routes on good rock. Ratings run from 5.7 to 5.13, most routes in the 10-12 range. There are scattered routes on the Far Side including sections further to the North called the Pitts and the Dungeon. Just downhill from here are a couple of short steep routes on the Incredible Hulk Boulder. You can find morning shade on Mural Wall and Bulge Wall and afternoon shade at the Far Side.
Getting There
There are two options. The first and best option is to park at the Sand Gulch campground, and follow an excellent trail that begins between campsites #9 and #10. Follow this trail for 2 minutes downhill to a wash, cross the wash and arrive at the old Gallery parking area. The other alternative is to drive to this parking area. From Shelf Road, turn left on the road to the Sand Gulch campground. After 30 yds the road makes a sharp bend right, and a less-defined dirt road heads off straight/left. Follow this 4WD road for several hundred yards to the unmarked P-Lot. Super not recommended.
From the Parking Lot, a well-maintained trail heads NW toward the cliffs. The Trail parallels a barbed-wire fence for the first bit. Well-signed trails diverge towards the Far Side, Mural Wall, and finally the Menses Prow. A left at the first fork leads to the Far Side. Staying right will lead to another fork, where a right turn leads to the Mural Wall/Fish Wall and the left fork heads to the Menses Prow. 20-30 Minute Approach.
[Hide Photo] Feeling the pump from the greasy pockets. Good route nonetheless.
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