PRINT: Climbing in Suburbia Boulder, Boulder

Suburbia Boulder

Colorado > Boulder > Eldorado Mountain

Access Issue: Private Property issues Details

The West Bank / Wild West / Secret Crag has been problematic for years due to access concerns. There have been negative encounters with gun-toting landowners who have alleged that the entire mountain is on private property. Typical approaches involve brief crossing of railroad property which appears to be prohibited.

Exact demarcation of property boundaries are not always clear. When in doubt, be discrete or polite.

Do not park your vehicle near the railroad tracks near Plainview. It is a well-known irritant to Plainview residents.

Description

This is a large sandstone boulder that has a high concentration of quality highball problems under V4. The location is unique and provides a nice cool down after climbing at the Mickey Mouse Wall. The west face has infinite possibilities for V0- problems and an excellent V1 traverse with a flat landing. The east face is 15' tall and has some good hueco problems. The northeast corner has several good highball variations with safe landings. There are some obstacles to be aware of. The entire east side is bordered by armpit high ferns and stinging nettle, also some tree fall debris on the north side, plus the usual railroad trash including glass and sharp metal leftovers. This area is the same shape as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and seems to amplify sound in the same way. It is especially eerie standing on the west side of the boulder when a train is passing.

Getting There

This is easily located between tunnels 4 and 5 on the way to Mickey Mouse Wall. These tunnels will be the 3rd and 4th that you pass. The boulder sits in the lowpoint on the west side, 50' from the tracks.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Suburbia Block. Southeast Arete.

The Suburbia Block.

Another shot of the southeast arete.

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Anonymous Coward

The statment about all of the lines being V4 and under is simply not true. The only thing under V4 is the right side "arete" (with your back to the tracks). The other lines that are parallel with the train tracks along the face of the boulder start at about V4 and get harder from there. It's classic Eldo style, funky, blue pebble/crystal reading. Great block, just a long hike to get there. It's the bottom of "Bull Gulch" if I remember correctly. Feb 12, 2004