The South Slabs Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 7,168 ft | 2,185 m |
GPS: |
40.7143, -105.2934 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 31,309 total · 167/month | |
Shared By: | Aaron Martinuzzi on Sep 3, 2009 | |
Admins: | James Schroeder, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
From the NFS (2/3/25): Seasonal restrictions to protect nesting birds of prey
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Feb. 3, 2025) – To protect nesting birds of prey, the Roosevelt National Forest began implementing annual closures in several popular recreation areas within the Canyon Lakes and Boulder Ranger Districts on Feb 1, 2025.
On the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, the closure areas include Triple Tier, south of CO Highway 14; Boston Peak, north of CO Highway 14; Grazing Allotment Crag, northwest of Prairie Divide Road; and Mt. Olympus, southeast of US Highway 34. See the closure map for more details.
The Roosevelt National Forest works closely with partners like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Boulder Climbing Community and the Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition to monitor nesting progress and inform climbers about the importance of giving raptors space to raise their young.
Federal and state laws prohibit disturbing any nesting bird of prey. Visitors can help protect wildlife by respecting all closures. Signs will be posted at key access points into the closed areas. Additional closure information is available online.
From the Canyon Lakes Ranger District Forest Service:
Fort Collins, Colo. (March 7, 2024) – to protect nesting birds of prey, the U.S. Forest Service is implementing annual area closures in several popular recreation areas throughout the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. The closures include Triple Tier, south of CO Highway 14; Boston Peak, north of CO Highway 14; Grazing Allotment Crag, northwest of Prairie Divide Road; and Mt. Olympus, southeast of US Highway 34. See the closure map for more details. Effective through July 31, 2024, the closures protect established raptor territories to ensure the birds remain undisturbed during sensitive breeding and nesting seasons.
The Canyon Lakes Ranger District partners with Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition to monitor nesting progress and to inform climbers about the importance of giving raptors space to raise their young.
Federal and state laws prohibit disturbing any nesting bird of prey. Visitors can help protect wildlife by respecting all closures. Signs will be posted at key access points into the closed areas. Additional closure information is available online.
A map: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO….
Additional information: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO….
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Feb. 3, 2025) – To protect nesting birds of prey, the Roosevelt National Forest began implementing annual closures in several popular recreation areas within the Canyon Lakes and Boulder Ranger Districts on Feb 1, 2025.
On the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, the closure areas include Triple Tier, south of CO Highway 14; Boston Peak, north of CO Highway 14; Grazing Allotment Crag, northwest of Prairie Divide Road; and Mt. Olympus, southeast of US Highway 34. See the closure map for more details.
The Roosevelt National Forest works closely with partners like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Boulder Climbing Community and the Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition to monitor nesting progress and inform climbers about the importance of giving raptors space to raise their young.
Federal and state laws prohibit disturbing any nesting bird of prey. Visitors can help protect wildlife by respecting all closures. Signs will be posted at key access points into the closed areas. Additional closure information is available online.
From the Canyon Lakes Ranger District Forest Service:
Fort Collins, Colo. (March 7, 2024) – to protect nesting birds of prey, the U.S. Forest Service is implementing annual area closures in several popular recreation areas throughout the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. The closures include Triple Tier, south of CO Highway 14; Boston Peak, north of CO Highway 14; Grazing Allotment Crag, northwest of Prairie Divide Road; and Mt. Olympus, southeast of US Highway 34. See the closure map for more details. Effective through July 31, 2024, the closures protect established raptor territories to ensure the birds remain undisturbed during sensitive breeding and nesting seasons.
The Canyon Lakes Ranger District partners with Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition to monitor nesting progress and to inform climbers about the importance of giving raptors space to raise their young.
Federal and state laws prohibit disturbing any nesting bird of prey. Visitors can help protect wildlife by respecting all closures. Signs will be posted at key access points into the closed areas. Additional closure information is available online.
A map: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO….
Additional information: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO….
Description
As one approaches Greyrock on the Summit Trail, the South Slabs are the first area to come into view, appearing as a large, smooth section of rock amidst more broken areas. Two tiers of slabs offer fun climbing, both bolt- and gear-protected. Be wary on the slab routes, as some are 'traditionally bolted,' and will provide an experience quite different from sport climbing elsewhere in the Poudre Canyon.
Fun routes on solid granite ranging from 5.5 to 5.12 ascend this centerpiece of Greyrock climbing.
Per lubbo Owen: nearly all the bolts appear to have been chopped.
Fun routes on solid granite ranging from 5.5 to 5.12 ascend this centerpiece of Greyrock climbing.
Per lubbo Owen: nearly all the bolts appear to have been chopped.
Getting There
Hike the Greyrock Summit trail for a stiff 2.5 miles to its intersection with the Meadows trail near a bench, where two rock outcroppings are visible to the north. Leave the trail and pass between these, continuing on as the crow flies to the base of the South Slab. A natural line of passage will likely deposit you directly beneath the lowest part of the slab, near Two Minds Meet and Aunt Edna's Costume Jewelry.
One exception to this entry is Go Spuds Go, which in fact ascends a boulder located near the southernmost tip of the Greyrock massif. Anyone making the hike to seek out this offwidth problem shouldn't have much trouble sighting the wide, overhanging crack. It's visible to the north from the summit trail a short half-mile or so from the bench.
One exception to this entry is Go Spuds Go, which in fact ascends a boulder located near the southernmost tip of the Greyrock massif. Anyone making the hike to seek out this offwidth problem shouldn't have much trouble sighting the wide, overhanging crack. It's visible to the north from the summit trail a short half-mile or so from the bench.
Descent
A 70 meter rope is highly recommended for rappelling off routes on the Lower Tier of the South Slabs - be careful, however - many of these routes are ~125 feet long or slightly more, and will require a bit of downclimbing at the end of your rappel. Utilizing the walk-off gully to climber's left (skiier's right) is recommended.
For Upper Tier routes ending at anchors, a 60 meter rope is generally sufficient. Some lines can naturally be extended into trips up to the top of Greyrock, albeit through less consistent terrain.
For Upper Tier routes ending at anchors, a 60 meter rope is generally sufficient. Some lines can naturally be extended into trips up to the top of Greyrock, albeit through less consistent terrain.
Classic Climbing Routes at The South Slabs
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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