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Pipeline Wall

Colorado > Telluride/Norwood area
Warning Access Issue: Open with restrictions - Private Property DetailsDrop down

Description

This is a great group of climbs just east of Bridal Veil Falls. It has some of the best views of the valley that can be had in Telluride. Accessible in mid-spring to fall time, the road is closed in that winter, but climbing here then wouldn't be ideal anyways. It can snow in any month of the year, so be careful and have a quick excape plan always. There is not a lot of action in terms of climbing, but the road can be practically overrun by tourist in the festival season.

Getting There

Follow CO 145 through Telluride and out the east end of town. The road will turn to dirt about 1.5 miles outside of town at the Idarado Mine. Follow the dirst road switchbacking for about 2 miles. A highclearance vehicle is ideal. Park two stichbacks above the bottom of the falls in a small, but prominent turn out. Cross the large stream on the bridge leading away from the falls and follow the trail along the cliff face to the climbs. If you can not drive the road, park at the bottom of the road and hike to the turnout and crag.

Per chris berdoulay: Drive or hike until you are at the switchback at the base of the falls. Continue hiking to the next switchback (where it turns back toward the falls). Continue straight through the switchback (hiking away from the falls), over a bridge and toward an old mine. If you find yourself looking over the falls you've gone to far. The wall is past the mine.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 5
● Shark Skin Leisure Suit
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 10
● Contortionist
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 7
● Real Tomato Ketchup
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 8
● Rocksteady
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 8
● Crystal Squeeze
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 12
● Crystal Cruise
Sport
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 12
● Whip or Will
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 11
● Underground Railroad
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 66
● Ame's Way
Sport 3 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 79
● Skylight Arete
Sport 3 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 30
● Rock Cobbler
Sport
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 6
● Can't Touch This
Sport 2 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 2
● Dreams of Ambition
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 17
● High Motivation
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 2
● Dolittle Does Something
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 6
● Queen Anne’s Revenge
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 4
● Swashbucklers and Scallywags
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 6
● Calypso
Sport
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 9
● Blackbeard’s Gold
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 3
● Dangler
Sport 2 pitches
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 1
● Gold
Sport 2 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 1
● Black and Tan
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Shark Skin Leisure Suit
 5
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
● Contortionist
 10
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
● Real Tomato Ketchup
 7
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
● Rocksteady
 8
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
● Crystal Squeeze
 8
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Crystal Cruise
 12
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
● Whip or Will
 12
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport
● Underground Railroad
 11
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
● Ame's Way
 66
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport 3 pitches
● Skylight Arete
 79
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport 3 pitches
● Rock Cobbler
 30
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
● Can't Touch This
 6
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport 2 pitches
● Dreams of Ambition
 2
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
● High Motivation
 17
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
● Dolittle Does Something
 2
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
● Queen Anne’s Revenge
 6
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
● Swashbucklers and Scallywags
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Calypso
 6
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Blackbeard’s Gold
 9
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Sport
● Dangler
 3
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport 2 pitches
● Gold
 1
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport 2 pitches
● Black and Tan
 1
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Looking over at pipeline, the right-leaning ramp is Ame's Way.
[Hide Photo] Looking over at pipeline, the right-leaning ramp is Ame's Way.
Dolittle Does Something (.11+) on the Pipeline Wall.
[Hide Photo] Dolittle Does Something (.11+) on the Pipeline Wall.
Whip or Will and Whipping Post. The bolts are camouflaged well. Ame's Way is out of the photo to the right. <br> <br>
[Hide Photo] Whip or Will and Whipping Post. The bolts are camouflaged well. Ame's Way is out of the photo to the right.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

chris berdoulay
[Hide Comment] I think the directions are a little off. Drive or hike until you are at the switchback at the base of the falls. Continue hiking to the next switchback (where it turns back toward the falls). Continue straight through the switchback (hiking away from the falls), over a bridge and toward an old mine. If you find yourself looking over the falls you've gone to far. The wall is past the mine. Aug 16, 2010
andrewmerrill
[Hide Comment] Does anyone have any beta on the sport routes above and below? the via's Main Event? I've seen at least a few routes above and was told there were a couple multipitch sport routes leading up the face to the via... grades?? Oct 10, 2014
dahigdon
phoenix, Az
[Hide Comment] Anybody know how long of a hike it is to the routes..? In either time or distance? My girlfriend and I will be passing through and I was wondering if this was something we could hike out to and climb a route rather quickly... say in an hour or two....

Thanks! Jul 19, 2015
Parker Wrozek
Denver, CO
[Hide Comment] Might be a bit late for you, but the actual hike is maybe 20 min if you can drive all the way up. Aug 11, 2015
Mike dF
[Hide Comment] As of August 8, 2021, the road from the parking lot to the falls is in very poor shape in a few spots, including one very low on the road. A truly high-clearance vehicle may be required (we witnessed a Subaru Outback violently bottom out). If you are hiking, a better alternative to the road might be the new Bridal Veil Falls Trail. The trail is scenic and shaded, and cuts 0.4 miles off the approach; it leaves you at the base of the falls, where you can link up with the road and hike to the next switchback, where you will find the trail to the crag. On the road, it is almost exactly two miles from the parking lot to the base of the climbing, and you gain about 1,000 feet whether you take the road or trail. Aug 10, 2021
Ei Tȃm
Lakewood, CO
[Hide Comment] The directions are WAY off.

Once you pass the bottom of the falls, drive to the next switchback, and park there. You will see the bridge and the old mine. Go past it down about 300 feet, and it is right there.

Here`s the exact location for the parking: 37.9225330, -107.7667180. Jul 10, 2023