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The Aprons Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Aprons

L › R R › L A › Z

	1st Apron, Left Side T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	2nd Apron Center T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	2nd Apron Far Left T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
	2nd Apron Left Side T 5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	2nd Apron Right Side T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	2nd Apron, Right Side Dihedral T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
	3rd Apron Left T 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b R
	Cheap Date [1st Apron] T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	Napkin (2nd Apron), The T 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Slip and Slide [1st Apron] T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a X

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Elevation:	13,518 ft	4,120 m
GPS:	39.59204, -105.65045 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	53,439 total · 190/month
Shared By:	Leo Paik on Feb 20, 2002
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: 2024 - road closure Details

Mt. Blue Sky Rd. will be closed for the 2025 season. All crags will be accessible only via hiking. kdvr.com/news/local/mount-b….

Description

These are the Summit Aprons of gorgeous, alpine, granite slabs which beckon you forth from the Summit Lake cirque. 5-9 pitch climbs treat you to a backwater but aerobically friendly alpine experience. Each of the three aprons will offer a different experience. Left to right, the 1st Apron will offer the longest climbs with the least sun with a distinctly more challenging bit of climbing including overhanging, offwidth 5.7. The 2nd Apron offers brilliant, moderate slabs of link-whatever-features-you-wish-climbing with quite adequate protection. The 3rd Apron offers the least steep but the least protected of the bunch. 25-35 minute approaches (timed with a watch, though some may need 60 minutes) keep the legs fresh and save the alpine wakeup calls. Ambulatory or automobile descents offer variety of experiences. Beware of midday lightning. Enjoy!

1st Apron
A. Slip and Slide [1st Apron], 9 X, 4p, gear.
B. 1st Apron, Left Side , 7 PG-13, 6-8p, gear.
C. Cheap Date [1st Apron], 9, 7-8p, ~1400', gear.

2nd Apron
D. The Napkin (2nd Apron), 7, 1p, gear.
E. 2nd Apron Far Left, 8 R, 5p, 780', gear.
F. 2nd Apron Left Side, 8+, 5p, 800', gear.
G. 2nd Apron Center, 7, 5p, 710', gear.
H. ?
I. 2nd Apron Right Side, 7, 6p, 850', gear.
J. 2nd Apron, Right Side Dihedral, 5, 5p, 700', gear.
K. The Napkin (2nd Apron), 7+, 1p, 200', gear.

3rd Apron

M. 3rd Apron Left, 7+ R, 5p, gear.

Getting There

Drive I-70 west from Denver to exit 240 and up the Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) CO Highway 103. Go to Echo Lake (~10,000'). Follow the summit road to ~12,500 to Summit Lake. Park. Look up. These aprons are arbitrarily called (from left to right) first, second, third. If you can't see the aprons, you may want to do something else. Take a leisurely (Addendum: some argue with this adjective) alpine walk 25-35 minutes (Addendum: timed with a watch avoid walking on vegetation; later - some take up to 60 minutes) to the base of your desired apron. Hop aboard. Some early season ascents will require a bit of snow crossing. During moist years, snow may persist. Ambulatory descents include right of the 3rd Apron or left of the 1st Apron down the hiking trail. Automobile descents require a traverse to the observatory area (L) and a protuberant thumb or a bit tourist schmoozing between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Update: note the new signage to avoid getting ticketed for new restrictions.

10 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at The Aprons

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

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 110 ● 2nd Apron Right Side Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 18 ● 2nd Apron Center Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 6 ● 1st Apron, Left Side Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 9 ● 2nd Apron Left Side Trad, Alpine 5 pitches