Combat Rock Rock Climbing
Elevation: | 6,741 ft |
GPS: |
40.44204, -105.34428 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
Page Views: | 56,763 total · 222/month |
Shared By: | Tyler Jones on May 20, 2002 · Updates |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Per JF M: as of May 2022, there is no signage on-site, nor information on the USFS webpage for the Cameron Peak Fire (nor on their published map of closures) that indicates the area is closed.
Per Bruce Hildenbrand: it appears that the Forest Service has closed access to all the climbing areas accessed via Storm Mountain Road (Monastery, Cedar Park, Combat Rock, etc.) until they can clear all the dangerous dead trees from the Cameron Peak fire.
I worked this issue with Eric Murdock at the AF, and it looks like the Forest Service picked Devil's Gulch Road as the southern boundary even though all the climbing areas on MP.com were not burned.
Per Bruce Hildenbrand: it appears that the Forest Service has closed access to all the climbing areas accessed via Storm Mountain Road (Monastery, Cedar Park, Combat Rock, etc.) until they can clear all the dangerous dead trees from the Cameron Peak fire.
I worked this issue with Eric Murdock at the AF, and it looks like the Forest Service picked Devil's Gulch Road as the southern boundary even though all the climbing areas on MP.com were not burned.
Description
This south-facing 250-foot crag is a perfect spot to spend a day in the sun. With great quality granite, Combat Rock offers an assortment of discontinuous cracks, friction on the slabs, and a few roofs to jug over. Combat Rock would also be a great place to combine in a trip to Lumpy or anywhere else in the RMNP, since it's located between Loveland and Estes Park just outside the Big Thompson Canyon. It's not far off of US Hwy 34, has a short approach, and consists of mainly one and two-pitch climbs, so the crag can easily be hit in the morning or late afternoon for a few hours. You need to be creative with the protection here. Other than the bolted faces, the flaring cracks can be difficult to get a good piece in. You will only need a small rack, consisting mainly of wired stoppers, CAMP Tri-cams, and small cams up to a #1 Camalot or #2 Friend. There are a couple of routes, such as the second pitch of Diagonal, that you will need a couple of #2 Camalots for the fist jams.
It's also a good idea to bring two ropes, as most of the rappels are around 150 feet if you continue past the first pitch. There is walk-off descent, but it's definitely a hassle and takes longer than a couple back-to-back rappels.
It's also a good idea to bring two ropes, as most of the rappels are around 150 feet if you continue past the first pitch. There is walk-off descent, but it's definitely a hassle and takes longer than a couple back-to-back rappels.
Getting There
From Denver, take I-25 north to the Loveland exit. Head west on US 34 (Eisenhower Blvd. in Loveland) for about 17 miles through the Big Thompson Canyon. Exit at the intersection of Drake, and take a right onto Devil's Gulch Road. After a half mile, take another right onto Storm Mountain Rd. (which used to be called Cedar Park Rd. and labeled "Forest Access)." Follow the dirt road through some steep switchbacks for about a mile until Combat Rock is very apparent across the gulch. There's plenty of parking at a pulloff on the north side of the road. From the road, follow a path down into the gulch and up the other side directly to the base of the crag. It is only about a 10-minute approach.
From Boulder, take the Diagonal CO Hwy 119 to Longmont, and head north on Main St, which turns into US Hwy 287. US 287 will make an abrupt 90-degree right turn to the east at the Carter Lake turnoff in the town of Berthoud. I think the easiest way is to take your first left at the light and head north on Country Rd. 7. This heads straight into Loveland where you can take your left on Eisenhower Dr (US 34) and follow it into the mountains.
From Boulder, take the Diagonal CO Hwy 119 to Longmont, and head north on Main St, which turns into US Hwy 287. US 287 will make an abrupt 90-degree right turn to the east at the Carter Lake turnoff in the town of Berthoud. I think the easiest way is to take your first left at the light and head north on Country Rd. 7. This heads straight into Loveland where you can take your left on Eisenhower Dr (US 34) and follow it into the mountains.
Classic Climbing Routes at Combat Rock
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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