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Elevation: 4,814 ft
GPS: 39.11998, -108.38179
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Page Views: 22,921 total · 122/month
Shared By: USBRIT Ross on Dec 31, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Jesse Zacher, Bradley Mark Edwards, Nick Reecy, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
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Description

This area was first recorded in Eric Bjornstad's Desert Rock III. Four tower climbs instigated by Pete Takeda and Duane Raleigh in 1992/3. These dirt towers of compressed shale with a sandstone cap rock can be seen as one drives passed Palisade on I-70 Interstate. These four towers climbed at that time where mostly quite short and fat. Seven years later from 2000 to 2001 Paul Ross with various partners cleaned up the area climbing nine more towers, some being extremely slim and spectacular for their size. Not great climbing, but they do have an element of risk and make great photos!! Please note the star system on these "things" apply only to this area.Good winter fun.

Getting There

Take Exit 42 to Palisade about 200 yards from the exit take the first road on the right G.7/10 Road. Follow this...it eventually bends to the right and goes under the Interstate to the Mt. Garfield trailhead. All climbs are hiked to from here.

15 Total Climbs

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Location: Things Of Beauty (aka Interstate I-70 Towers) Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Things Of Beauty (aka Interstate I-70 Towers)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
C0
 3
● Bug-Eyed Monster
Trad, Aid
C1+
 3
● Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Trad, Aid
C2+
 7
● The Sword of Damocles
Trad, Aid
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Bug-Eyed Monster
 3
C0 Trad, Aid
● Mad Dogs and Englishmen
 3
C1+ Trad, Aid
● The Sword of Damocles
 7
C2+ Trad, Aid
More Classic Climbs in Things Of Beauty (aka Interstate I-70 Towers) »

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Photos

The Sword of Damocles. C2 70'. This was the first dirt tower Ross climbed in June 2000. I-70 Interstate and Palisade below the spire.
The Sword of Damocles. C2 70'. This was the fir…
 5
Arial view of Mt Garfield. Photo Carol Crockett.
Arial view of Mt Garfield. Photo Carol Crockett.
 1
The Black Tower ... FA 2001 ... as yet 2020, no second ascent.
The Black Tower ... FA 2001 ... as yet 2020, no…
 0
Mad Dogs Tower, 90'. First ascent 2001 - no repeat as of 2020.
Mad Dogs Tower, 90'. First ascent 2001 - no rep…
 0
View from the top of Garfield ... to the Things of Beauty. A) Napoleon's Toothpick, B) The Black Tower, C) Alpha Tower, D) Tom Thumb's Tallywag.
View from the top of Garfield ... to the Things…
 0
Mt. Garfield.
Mt. Garfield.
 0
A) The Black Tower. B) Napoleon's Toothpick. C) Alpha Tower. Photo: Carol Crockett.
A) The Black Tower. B) Napoleon's Toothpick. C)…
 0
Sunset on a section of The Things of Beauty Spires. Mt. Garfield. Photo Carol Crockett.
Sunset on a section of The Things of Beauty Spi…
 0
The head of "The Serpent". Care must be taken when one attempts to stand on the summit.
The head of "The Serpent". Care must be taken w…
 0
A small nasty looking 30/40' unclimbed dirt tower "The Serpent" Located down and to the west of Alpha Tower. Don't all rush at once!
A small nasty looking 30/40' unclimbed dirt tow…
 0
A) The Sword Of Damocles as seen from Interstate I.70....
A) The Sword Of Damocles as seen from Interstat…
 0
A) The Fortress. B) Passport to the Golden Age. C) Turkey Neck. D) To:- Tom Thumbs Tallywag and Bug-Eyed Monster.
A) The Fortress. B) Passport to the Golden Age.…
 0

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