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Elevation: 6,681 ft 2,036 m
GPS: 39.9777, -105.2917
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Leo Paik on Oct 16, 2006
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: 2018 Raptor Closure Lifted DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This is a organizational entry to assist with those trying to find the 4 ridges of Skunk Canyon upon suggestion by one of our users. This area is subject to seasonal closures on Ridge 2, 3, & 4 (typically Feb 1- July 31).

Here you will find 1 - 8 pitch routes. There are climbs from 5.0 to 5.14a here. Most routes are on the adventurous side. You will find predominantly traditionally-protected routes, so bring your rack if you rope up. Probably, the most popular routes here are Stairway to Heaven, 5.4, Satan's Slab, 5.8 S, Angel's Way, 5.2, & Mohling Arete, 5.5 S. There is room for new routes here.

This a fairly infrequently visited area, so you will likely find solitude here. If you venture west of Ridge Four, you will likely find yourself in one of the least visited locales in the Boulder area.

Note, the area is rather full of poison ivy, for those who are sensitive. Also, there are bears & mountain lions known to habit these parts.

Getting There Suggest change

The most rapid access to this area is to park at the NCAR parking lot at the top of Table Mesa. Hike W toward the Mesa Trail. Hike N on the Mesa Trail toward Skunk Canyon. There are various trails heading W into the bottom of Skunk Canyon. Head W. Expect 30-60 minutes for the approach depending on the route.

63 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Skunk Canyon Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Skunk Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c
 289
Angel's Way
Trad 8 pitches
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a
 190
Stairway to Heaven
Trad 6 pitches
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 34
Love
Trad 3 pitches
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R
 16
Enchanted Devil
Trad 2 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a R
 34
Mohling Arete
Trad 10 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a PG13
 10
666
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R
 16
Purgatory
Trad 3 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 56
Satan's Slab
Trad 8 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 6
Dialing For Dollars
Trad 2 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 4
Euclid's Corner
Trad
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 39
God's Kingdom on Earth
Sport
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b R
 7
Doric Dihedral
Trad
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 12
The Guardian
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 25
Heaven and Hell
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 11
Hellbound
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Angel's Way Ridge 3 aka Angel's Way
 289
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c Trad 8 pitches
Stairway to Heaven Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 190
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a Trad 6 pitches
Love Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 34
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad 3 pitches
Enchanted Devil Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 16
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R Trad 2 pitches
Mohling Arete Ridge 4 aka Mohling A…
 34
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a R Trad 10 pitches
666 Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 10
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a PG13 Trad
Purgatory Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 16
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R Trad 3 pitches
Satan's Slab Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 56
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Trad 8 pitches
Dialing For Dollars Ridge 4 aka Mohling A…
 6
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 2 pitches
Euclid's Corner Ridge 3 aka Angel's Way
 4
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
God's Kingdom on Earth Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 39
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Doric Dihedral Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 7
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b R Trad
The Guardian Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 12
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Heaven and Hell Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 25
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Hellbound Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 11
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Skunk Canyon »

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