All Locations > Colorado > Estes Park Valley > Lumpy Ridge

Checkerboard Rock Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map This is our best guess at this area's location.
Fix Location

Routes in Checkerboard Rock

L › R R › L A › Z

	Checkerboard Crack T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Crystal Catch T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
	Icarus T,S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Non-Alignment T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Number 8 Beartrap T 5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Rainy Day Woman T 5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b R
	Ziggie's Brother Hank T,S 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Ziggie's Day Out T 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

GPS:	40.403, -105.518 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	8,340 total · 35/month
Shared By:	Brian Milhaupt on Apr 6, 2002
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

Access Issue: 2021 Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

The following areas are CLOSED beginning February 15, 2021. Click links for details.

Closures ending July 31:
Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Lightning Rock, Checkerboard Rock - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Sundance - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
The Book Area: Left Book, The Bookmark, Bookmark Pinnacle, and the entire Book formation (including Renaissance Wall, Isis Buttress, Pages Wall Area, and J-Crack Slab Area)-nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Thunder Buttress and The Parish - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Twin Owls and Rock One - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Cathedral Wall - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…

When closed, the closures include the named rock formations and the areas surrounding the base of the formation. This includes all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes, and climber's access trails to the formation.

Areas not listed are presumed to be open. These closures will be lifted or extended as conditions dictate.

Description

This aptly named rock face sits below Batman rock, and is easily reached via the Batman rock trail. This is a good spot to climb if you don't have a full day. The approach is approximately half that of Batman Rock, and none of the climbs to my knowledge are longer than two pitches. The rock itself is split broken vertically by a chimney in the middle and horizontally by a ledge that spans the entire length about 2/3 up. The climbing is less than vertical, and even the cracks have a slab feel.

Getting There

From the new parking lot, take the west trail towards the old Twin Owls parking lot ~0.6 miles. From the old Twin Owls parking lot, follow the approach trail for Batman Rock. After the trail starts to go up, start to look for a cairn on the left, which will take you to the left side of the base. Scramble down past the chimney, and back up the other side to the better routes. [When approaching the rock you will come upon the right side first.] Although the rock is 200' high, it is hard to see above the trees before you actually get there. ~40-50 minutes to approach.

Please check the closures before climbing.

Update: in 2019, Checkboard is closed for raptor nesting March 1 through July 31. These closures may be extended longer or rescinded at an earlier date depending on nesting activity. Click here for the Feb. 25, 2019 new release: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/news/temporary-closures-in-lumpy-ridge-area-to-protect-nesting-raptors-in-rocky-mountain-national-park.htm