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Fireblack Boulder Climbing
Routes in Fireblack Boulder
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Barefoot and Blindfolded V-easy 3 |
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Branch Manager V1- 5- |
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Center Moderates V-easy 3 |
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Double Dyno V1 5 |
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Elephant's Ear V1 5 |
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Fireblack Direct V2 5+ |
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Left Eliminates V1-2 5 |
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Low Traverse V1 5 |
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Nothin' But Faith in Nothin' AKA Yin and Yang of Pain V3 6A |
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Swingtime V1 5 |
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Tracy's Bushy Crack V0+ 4+ |
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Tree Worry V1- 5- |
| Unsorted Routes: | |
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| Elevation: | 6,721 ft |
| GPS: | 39.538, -105.165 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 6,393 total · 53/month |
| Shared By: | Lee Smith on Apr 4, 2009 |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac |
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Description
This small esoteric outcrop is located on an unofficial trail in Deer Creek Canyon Park. Fireblack is a modest boulder with several moderate and interesting problems. The rock is slightly suspect, the problems straight forward and the setting is stellar. South facing, with a ½ mile uphill approach, Fireblack is a good workout on a summer evening or a warm winter day. Even though it is very close to suburbia, Fireblack has a wilderness appeal. Bobcats, bears and soaring birds are often seen in this less-visited part of Deer Creek.
NOTE: Great pains have been taken to keep Fireblack pristine and chalk free. The FAs were all done without chalk. Use an Eco-ball or sack up and climb without courage in a bag.
Several features break Fireblack into easily identifiable sections. The left (west) side of the formation is split by a large horizontal gash. The mid section is marked by a big detached rock at the base. To the right of the detached rock is the main overhang and right from that is the Elephants Ear. The crag peters out to the far right with a bushy crack.
NOTE: Great pains have been taken to keep Fireblack pristine and chalk free. The FAs were all done without chalk. Use an Eco-ball or sack up and climb without courage in a bag.
Several features break Fireblack into easily identifiable sections. The left (west) side of the formation is split by a large horizontal gash. The mid section is marked by a big detached rock at the base. To the right of the detached rock is the main overhang and right from that is the Elephants Ear. The crag peters out to the far right with a bushy crack.
Getting There
Make your way to the very southwest corner of Littleton. Head south on Kipling Parkway. Just south of the Kipling C-470 exit, take a right (west) on W. Ute Ave. Follow this road past Johns-Manville/Xcel and stay on the main track. This will funnel you onto Deer Creek Canyon Road. Odometer checkpoint is a large power substation on the right near the mouth of the canyon.
From the substation, head up the canyon for 2.9 miles. On the right is the entrance to an aggregate mine. Catty-corner across the road is a large dome of rock. Park just west of this dome at a pullout on the south side of the road.
The trail starts behind the rock dome and immediately crosses Deer Creek. This can be spicy during runoff season or completely dry. Immediately after the crossing the trail goes right through some willows. Follow the trail, which is an old service road, as it winds up the side of the hills. Approximately 0.5 miles from the trailhead, you will come to a rising traverse through a piney woods. At the top of the traverse the trail takes a sharp right. The top of Fireblack Boulder can be seen slightly to the southeast. It is about 40 feet from the sharp right.
Per Jay Eggleston: it is about a 15 minute walk from the main road.
From the substation, head up the canyon for 2.9 miles. On the right is the entrance to an aggregate mine. Catty-corner across the road is a large dome of rock. Park just west of this dome at a pullout on the south side of the road.
The trail starts behind the rock dome and immediately crosses Deer Creek. This can be spicy during runoff season or completely dry. Immediately after the crossing the trail goes right through some willows. Follow the trail, which is an old service road, as it winds up the side of the hills. Approximately 0.5 miles from the trailhead, you will come to a rising traverse through a piney woods. At the top of the traverse the trail takes a sharp right. The top of Fireblack Boulder can be seen slightly to the southeast. It is about 40 feet from the sharp right.
Per Jay Eggleston: it is about a 15 minute walk from the main road.
Classic Climbing Routes at Fireblack Boulder
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
Sun Angles Details:
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Photos
![Fireblack Boulder:<br>
<br>
[[Low Traverse, V1]]106396220.<br>
[[Left Eliminates, V1-V2]]106396226.<br>
[[Center Moderates, V-Easy]]106396249.<br>
[[Barefoot and Blindfolded, V-Easy]]106396186.<br>
[[Swingtime, V1]]106396394.<br>
[[Double Dyno, V1]]106396241.<br>
[[Fireblack Direct, V2]]106396204.<br>
[[NBFiN, V3]]106396191.<br>
[[Elephant's Ear, V1]]106396174.<br>
[[Tree Worry, V1-]]106396235.<br>
[[Branch Manager V1-]]106840995.<br>
[[Tracy's Bushy Crack, V0+]]106396229.](https://cdn-files.apstatic.com/climb/111835309_smallMed_1494306912_topo.jpg)
![[[Pyramid Boulder]]110313061 Location relative to [[Fireblack Boulder]]106396162.<br>
<br>
Via Google Earth.](https://cdn-files.apstatic.com/climb/111833685_smallMed_1494306790_topo.jpg)
![[[Fireblack Boulder]]106396162.<br>
<br>
Google Earth Location.](https://cdn-files.apstatic.com/climb/111831553_smallMed_1494306683_topo.jpg)
14 Comments
More About Fireblack Boulder
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Guidebooks (9)
Glen, NH
Littleton, CO
Thanks for adding this to the site. Looks nice a neat place to go.
Cheers
john Apr 4, 2009
I really suck at grading boulder problems so all the problem ratings are my best guess. Everyone who visits should keep this in mind and not scream "soft" or "sandbag" too loudly.
Another note: I am constantly cleaning up old trash at this spot and it constantly unearths more. I think there is a long history of beer bottle/gun parties here. So if you visit think about bringing a plastic bag. Thanks!
One more note: People often climb naked here. Apr 5, 2009
Glen, NH
Durango
It seems like the chalkless effort is already down the tubes. C'mon people. Use an eco ball or nothing at all for that matter. The routes are not that difficult. The area is pretty pristine in comparison. Please clean up after yourselves. The bear and lions will be watching. :-) Kidding. Apr 15, 2009
Norton Shores, MI
There is a bridge on the road just east of the big rock dome. You can cross here and bushwhack over to the start of the trail. You have to be careful since the hill is a little steep and the raging water is at the bottom! Jun 8, 2009
Golden
Lots of broken glass; be careful if you are walking around without your shoes on. Jun 22, 2009
Golden, CO
The approach is kind of longer than I thought, but we found it alright. Kinda steep in the beginning.
Not exactly "pristine", as there is plenty of glass, bullet casings, etc.
I'll admit to using some chalk, really only on NBFiN, though looks like plenty of people have been chalking up.
Kind of disappointed in the experience, climbing was decent, but not stellar, though we still had fun. Good for easy, beginner bouldering. Aug 23, 2009
Littleton, CO
Denver
Denver, CO
It took my bum self about 25 mins to get there, and probably another 25 to get up to the Pyramid Boulder. The rock quality was pretty good. May 6, 2016