Elevation: 6,681 ft
GPS: 39.9777, -105.2917
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 138,044 total · 682/month
Shared By: Leo Paik on Oct 16, 2006
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Access Issue: Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures Details
Access Issue: 2018 Raptor Closure Lifted Details

Description

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

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.

60 Total Climbs

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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
 228
Angel's Way
Trad 8 pitches
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a
 157
Stairway to Heaven
Trad 6 pitches
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 31
Love
Trad 3 pitches
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R
 7
Enchanted Devil
Trad 2 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a R
 33
Mohling Arete
Trad 10 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R
 14
Purgatory
Trad 3 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
 7
666
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 54
Satan's Slab
Trad 8 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13
 3
Party Of One
Trad
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 4
Euclid's Corner
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 8
Armed Forces
Sport
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b R
 6
Doric Dihedral
Trad
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 17
God's Kingdom on Earth
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 9
The Guardian
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 3
Face The Present (aka Beware the…
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Angel's Way Ridge 3 aka Angel's Way
 228
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c Trad 8 pitches
Stairway to Heaven Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 157
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a Trad 6 pitches
Love Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 31
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad 3 pitches
Enchanted Devil Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 7
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R Trad 2 pitches
Mohling Arete Ridge 4 aka Mohling A…
 33
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a R Trad 10 pitches
Purgatory Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 14
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R Trad 3 pitches
666 Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 7
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13 Trad
Satan's Slab Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 54
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Trad 8 pitches
Party Of One Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 3
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13 Trad
Euclid's Corner Ridge 3 aka Angel's Way
 4
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Armed Forces Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 8
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Doric Dihedral Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 6
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b R Trad
God's Kingdom on Earth Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 17
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
The Guardian Ridge 1 aka Stairway…
 9
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Face The Present (aka Bewar… Ridge 2 aka Satan's Slab
 3
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Skunk Canyon »

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