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Guardian Rock Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map This is our best guess at this area's location.
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Routes in Guardian Rock

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Rhino Rocket T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c

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GPS:	40.1863, -105.3334 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	3,674 total · 15/month
Shared By:	Leo Paik on Feb 15, 2005
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: MM 23-29.5 - now ended daily CO 7 highway closure/delays Details

Per Kai Bouwman: the daily CO 7 highway closure/delay access issue is no longer a problem according to CDOT the construction finished as of Nov. 11, 2022.

From CDOT: Colorado Highway 7 is closed daily from MP 23-29.5. Motorists can only travel through the area between 6-8 am and 4-7 pm. During these timeframes, pilot cars will lead alternating one-way travel. Drivers should plan for delays, and this schedule will remain in place through Memorial Day 2022.

During the closure, motorists need to take US 36 to CO 7.

codot.gov/projects/co7-lyon…

Description

Guardian Rock

This is a small, granitic rock lying just uphill from the Guard House, and on the opposite side of the road/river from Scout Rock in S. St. Vrain Canyon. Very close to the road yet feeling a bit wild with its vegetated underbrush, it lies about 3 1/2 miles from the intersection of Hwy 7 & US 36 in Lyons. It has been developed somewhat along its western face with at least 5 bolted sport climbs, 2 of which (Shuffling Madness, 11b & Weight of the World, 11b) are listed in P. Hubbel's Classic Rock Climbs No. 23 Lyons Area Colorado guidebook. This fairly-clean, W face can be nice on a sunny winter day. It certainly has room for development; however, its N face is fairly covered with lichen. Note there were & still are large, delicately balanced rocks perched on this rock to surprise the unwary.

Getting There

From the plains, drive to Lyons along US 36 to the intersection of Hwy 7 & US 36 on the W side of Lyons. Head S & then W along US 36 to a straight-away about 3 1/2 miles. Park along a pullout below a house. The rock is obvious. From the highlands, head down Hwy 7 to near the bottom of the canyon past the Narrows, December Wall, past the Mushroom Massif. Cross the St. Vrain. Bushwhack up a short distance to the rock approaching either E or W (depending upon which route(s) are of interest) of the base of the N face. There is an mildly-interesting small rock arch below the E side of the N face. The underbrush is scratchy.