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Nightworm Pinnacle

Colorado > Golden > Clear Creek Canyon
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

This is a nice, little pinnacle with four routes including a perfect, easy, handcrack. The rock faces south and does get a lot of sun. It is typical Clear Creek Canyon gneiss. You probably won't see a lot of people here, but the climbing is worth a visit. You can walk off the back or walk up to set up a toprope.

Getting There

Park on the south side of the road directly across from the rock. I clocked this at 7.6 miles up the canyon. Darren Mabe calls it 8.0 miles in his excellent guidebook. Walk up the hill to the rock. This takes about 2 minutes.

The parking mentioned above no longer exists. It’s probably easiest to park down canyon to the east at the next available pullout.

L->R:

A. Arety-ret Flakey Fest, 7, 1p, 70', gear.
B. Night Crawler, 8+, 1p, 80', gear.
C. Nightingale, 8, 1p, 80', gear.
D. Unknown 11 (AKA Worm Skin), 11-, 1p, 80', bolts & pins.

Routes from Left to Right

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 17
● Arety-ret Flakey Fest
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 22
● Night Crawler
Trad, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 75
● Nightingale
Trad
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 38
● Unknown 11 (AKA Worm Skin)
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Arety-ret Flakey Fest
 17
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
● Night Crawler
 22
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Trad, TR
● Nightingale
 75
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
● Unknown 11 (AKA Worm Skin)
 38
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

View of Night Worm from the road.
[Hide Photo] View of Night Worm from the road.
Andrea on the left side of Nightworm.
[Hide Photo] Andrea on the left side of Nightworm.
Nightworm Pinnacle. The handcrack is obvious.
[Hide Photo] Nightworm Pinnacle. The handcrack is obvious.
The anchor as of October 2020. You can see the old coldshut.
[Hide Photo] The anchor as of October 2020. You can see the old coldshut.
The three routes on the front.
[Hide Photo] The three routes on the front.
The anchor at the top is no longer only coldshuts. Now one new bolt and one of the old coldshuts.
[Hide Photo] The anchor at the top is no longer only coldshuts. Now one new bolt and one of the old coldshuts.
A bolt at the bottom. A belay bolt, I suppose. Not really needed.
[Hide Photo] A bolt at the bottom. A belay bolt, I suppose. Not really needed.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Doug Redosh
Golden, CO
[Hide Comment] Near the solstice, the bottom of the rock is in the shade, and therefore cold! Dec 18, 2009
Rob Westfall
Denver, CO
[Hide Comment] Lots of loose stuff on the hike up there. Ill advised spot for canines - but Hankdog got out unscathed. Mar 23, 2010
Phillip Tearse
Denver, CO
[Hide Comment] Great little rock, if there were more routes in the vicinity these would very popular. Nov 27, 2011
Jay Samuelson
Colorado
[Hide Comment] Hey Phill, did you notice Prestige Worldwide Wall? There's a couple of fun routes up there to be done, about a two minute hike from Nightworm Pinnacle. Nov 27, 2011
Jason Antin
Golden, CO
[Hide Comment] A solid quick-hit for a few pitches or a TRS session. Parking is ~0.2 miles downriver from the crag. The approach trail is generally good but can send rockfall toward the road — move with care. The routes are fun and worth a visit, especially given the easy access. Aug 30, 2025