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: 6,760 ft
GPS: 39.979, -105.29
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 42,857 total · 186/month
Shared By: Mark Oveson on Apr 18, 2005
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: 2018 Raptor Closure Lifted DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This is the first major ridge ascending out of Skunk Canyon on the right (north) side. Quality of the rock is very good--perhaps slightly better than "average" Flatiron rock. Routes range from the classic 1000'+ slab and ridge climb called Stairway to Heaven (5.2-ish, but mostly 3rd/4th class) to the enjoyable Love (5.4) and Better Than Love (5.5) on the west side of the rock, to the massively overhanging Guardian (5.12).

The rock gets few visitors, but the Colorado Mountain Club occasionally climbs Stairway to Heaven with groups of 10 climbers or more. Other than those times, it is a quiet and beautiful place to climb. Views of Satan's Slab [on Ridge Two] to the west, particularly from Better Than Love, are stunning.

[Ridge One] is notable in that it is the only ridge in Skunk Canyon that DOES NOT close for raptor nesting.

Getting There Suggest change

From the NCAR trailhead, hike to the Mesa Trail, go north, and cross the Skunk Canyon creek. Continue steeply up a few switchbacks until you can see a faint trail heading into the canyon. You may have to climb over or around a log fence to reach the trail. If you reach the point where the Mesa Trail flattens out and heads east out of the canyon, you went too far (but not by much).

27 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Heaven Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Heaven

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a
 172
Stairway to Heaven
Trad 6 pitches
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 32
Love
Trad 3 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 8
Armed Forces
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13
 5
Gunky
Trad 2 pitches
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 28
God's Kingdom on Earth
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 11
The Guardian
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 15
Heaven and Hell
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 7
Hellbound
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Stairway to Heaven
 172
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a Trad 6 pitches
Love
 32
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad 3 pitches
Armed Forces
 8
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Gunky
 5
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13 Trad 2 pitches
God's Kingdom on Earth
 28
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Sport
The Guardian
 11
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Heaven and Hell
 15
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Hellbound
 7
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Ridge 1 aka Stairway to Heaven »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading