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Elevation: 6,687 ft 2,038 m
GPS: 39.93239, -105.28874
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 113,599 total · 454/month
Shared By: Leo Paik on Mar 20, 2006
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Closures - lifted DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This is the second highest section of the West Ridge. It arbitrarily extends from Xanadu to Pony Express, since these are well-known, easily identified routes. This section is the most crack-rich section of the ridge. As a result, it has a different feel than most of the rest of The West Ridge. Count on at least a 25 minutes approach.

Note, this section includes some of the loosest sections of the ridge in a section referred to as "The (sic) Construction Zone" by some.

Most routes in this section are single pitch in length. However, recent development have pushed routes into the upper stretches of a section referred to as "The Rotten Wall" by R. Rossiter in his well-received guidebooks. Some of the better lines here include: the intimidating Duh Dihedral, 5.6; the delightful Positively Fourth Street, 5.9+; Xanadu, 5.10a; the fun Hand Crack, 5.10b; the hidden gem Variation to Mail Ridge, 5.10; Sooberb, 5.10c; the fun Zip Code, 5.11b; the demanding Parallels, 5.11b s; the delicious Terminal Velocity, 5.11b/c s; the amazing Bit by Bit, 5.11c/d; the technical Foxtrot, 5.11d s; among others.

To approach this area, you park at the W end of Eldorado Canyon State Park, hike the Eldorado Canyon Trail to the Rincon Trail, boulder hop across the talus and drop down and right to this section of the ridge. It may be more enjoyable to hike up the base of the West Ridge via stream crossing at Milton Boulder or hiking from the East end of the park. Time-wise, it's probably close either way.

Most of these routes is use descents of rappelling. Walkoffs will generally be time-consuming in this section of the ridge.

Note, there is some loose rock in the area.

Getting There Suggest change

Approach is dependent upon the depth of the creek, the section of wall you wish to climb, the parking available, and your desires for the day. You can approach the top of the ridge by parking at the W end of the park, hiking up the Eldorado Canyon Trail, take the turn off for the Rincon access, then boulder hop the talus, and cross to the Rincon. Then angle down a short way to the top of the ridge. You can approach the lower part of the ridge by parking at the Milton Boulder, wade the stream or boulder hop (Aug-ish to May-ish) to the base of the ridge and ascend. Finally, you can approach the lower part of the ridge by parking at the E end of the park, cross the bridge, hike on the trail paralleling the creek, and traverse the slippery 3rd class ramp around to the base of the West Ridge. Note, this last traverse is intimidating for small kids and particularly green partners. Then, you hike along the trail at the base of the W face of the West Ridge to your desired route.

Enjoy!

64 Total Climbs

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Location: West Ridge - part D - Xanadu to Pony Express Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at West Ridge - part D - Xanadu to Pony Express

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 290
● Duh Dihedral
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 153
● Pool of Blood
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 60
● Funeral March
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 107
● Fine Line
Trad, TR
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 521
● Positively Fourth Street
Trad, TR
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 405
● Xanadu
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 610
● Hand Crack (aka White Lightning)
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13
 16
● Air Mail
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 38
● Zap Snack
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 12
● Tango
Trad
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 161
● Parallels
Trad
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 216
● Terminal Velocity
Trad
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 14
● Bit by Bit
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a PG13
 107
● Foxtrot
Trad
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a PG13
 51
● Crazy Fingers
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Duh Dihedral
 290
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
● Pool of Blood
 153
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Funeral March
 60
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Fine Line
 107
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, TR
● Positively Fourth Street
 521
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad, TR
● Xanadu
 405
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
● Hand Crack (aka White Light…
 610
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
● Air Mail
 16
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13 Trad
● Zap Snack
 38
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
● Tango
 12
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
● Parallels
 161
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
● Terminal Velocity
 216
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
● Bit by Bit
 14
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Trad, Sport 2 pitches
● Foxtrot
 107
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a PG13 Trad
● Crazy Fingers
 51
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a PG13 Trad
More Classic Climbs in West Ridge - part D - Xanadu to Pony Express »

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