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Lower Great Face Rock Climbing
| Elevation: | 10,513 ft | 3,204 m |
| GPS: |
40.30313, -105.52413 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 41,034 total · 144/month | |
| Shared By: | Leo Paik on Aug 10, 2002 · Updates | |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Access Issue: Area Closure ended but timed entry permits are REQUIRED
Details
Per Bob Siegrist: as of 6/11/20, the parking areas are no longer blocked off. RMNP is open.
Per Matt B: this area is currently closed to all visitors due to temporary RMNP closures. The entire parking area is blocked off. Please do not threaten access to this area by climbing during this closure to all visitors.
Description
This is one of the biggest rocks of the The Crags along with the Upper Great Face. This lies on the right south side of the Crags. This crag contains routes up to 4 pitches. It seemed faintly reminiscent of an easier version of Deer Ridge Buttress. Certainly, this is one of the rocks that catches your eye looking at this collection of rocks from CO Hwy 7 or the Lily Lake area. Abundant in holds and full of dihedrals, there are more lines to be done for trad climbers. There are moments when you can imagine yourself slightly higher in the park on a big sibling of this rock, Hallett Peak. Broader than tall, this crag is split into 2 main faces by the Central Buttress, a blunt arete, rising from the nadir of the face. Subsequent to the original posting, Castaway Crag and Wizard's Gate were combined under this one crag, since they are really subsections of this larger crag.
Descents from the top are best made by skirting the North side of the crag on a mix of trail and boulders. Some of the other shorter routes can be rappelled.
Getting There
From Estes, drive South on CO Hwy 7 to the Lily Lake visitor center, and turn left (East) onto a gravel road that leads to the Twin Sisters Trailhead. Follow the Twin Sisters trail for about 10 minutes until you reach the 3rd switchback. At this switchback, go straight ahead, and leave the trail and go into the woods on a path that is clearly visible. Follow the path as it leads upward through the forested hillside and enters wooded talus. As you follow the path upward through the talus, you can look up and see the Central Buttress on the Lower Great Face above. Hike/scramble/boulder hop upward until you reach the Central Buttress of the Lower Great Face. From here, the Wizard's Gate area is just to the left, and Castaway is further left. Plan on 45 min to reach the Central Buttress.
A general map: https://www.mountainproject.com/photo/107046958..
An approach diagram: https://www.mountainproject.com/photo/117399850.
Oh yeah, based upon the signage, this area may be open to hunters in the fall. Think bright.
Per Jonathan Siegrist: across CO Highway 7 from Lily Lake, just south of Estes Park, there is a dirt road that eventually dead ends. Park somewhere along the right side of this road. Follow the Twin Sisters Trail until the 3rd switchback, where you should continue straight (north-northeast) and look for a moderately well-traveled climber's trail. The trail winds through the forest and occasionally through small boulderfields until you reach the base of the Lower Great Face. Shoot for the protruding Central Buttress, and continue around to the north side.
Once you hike the trail correctly, you will find your way every time, but until you do, you may very well get lost. If all else fails, head uphill and towards the giant granite face. The hike is 30 minutes at a steady pace, knowing where you are going. It is 45 minutes at a normal pace.
EMS kit & Stokes litter info
On August 11, 2022, an EMS kit and Stokes litter were placed at The Crags as a resource for emergency medical situations. The EMS kit and litter are located next to a tree in the talus below Wizard’s Gate (elevation 10,140 feet., GPS coordinates: 40.30285N, 105.52467W). The location is approximately 300 feet North of the route, Wizard’s Path. The EMS kit contains emergency contacts, diagnostic devices, bandages, and splints but no medications or narcotics of any kind. Please respect this resource, and use it for emergencies only and not for routine medical purposes. In the event of an emergency and use of any materials and supplies in the EMS kit, please contact the current custodian, Bob Siegrist and the EMS kit will be restocked (email: siegrist@mines.edu, cell: 303.359.8427).
Classic Climbing Routes at Lower Great Face
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