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Coat of Arms Corner and The Rat Cracks

Colorado > Denver South > Castlewood Canyon SP
Warning Access Issue: Historical seasonal raptor closures with 2023 updates DetailsDrop down

Description

This area of Castlewood has a few routes of good quality that see little traffic. Like Castlewood, in these few routes you'll find sport, trad, and TR climbing. The Rat Cracks are a series of cracks that can be useful in identifying the area as well as providing some trad leads.

Getting There

Approach the area by parking at the furthest N. lot on the S. entrance to the wood. Take the Lake Gulch Trail N from the lot and follow it to the creek and Creek Bottom Trail. The area is on the North Rim and can be difficult to find. It is the furthest N. area along this sector of the rim. Try to identify the area by the unusual Rat Cracks.

Routes from Left to Right

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 9
Crack Up
Trad, TR
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 2
Coat of Arms
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 3
Three Blind Mice
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a R
 3
Danger Mouse
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 3
Crack Sweat
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 5
Getting Rid of Your Rats
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 1
Rabbid Rat Crack
Trad, TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Crack Up
 9
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
Coat of Arms
 2
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Three Blind Mice
 3
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Danger Mouse
 3
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a R Trad, TR
Crack Sweat
 3
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, TR
Getting Rid of Your Rats
 5
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, TR
Rabbid Rat Crack
 1
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, TR

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

One more pic of the cracks from the trail.
[Hide Photo] One more pic of the cracks from the trail.
Rat Cracks from Lake Gulch Trail, Crag in center.
[Hide Photo] Rat Cracks from Lake Gulch Trail, Crag in center.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] It wasn't mentioned yet so I'll say to bring very long slings and/or an extra rope to set up topropes for most of these climbs. There simply isn't a lot for pro at the top of some of the climbs so the closest anchors are trees and boulders a ways away from the cliff top. Dec 30, 2002
TJ Quirk
Parker, CO
[Hide Comment] Note: The Shakespearean Theater, the next crag to the East of this cliff, is closed to climbing Mar, Apr, and May 2010 due to raptor nesting. Mar 22, 2010