Country-Western Crags Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 6,092 ft | 1,857 m |
GPS: |
40.18472, -105.34086 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 25,610 total · 152/month | |
Shared By: | Dave Holliday on Jan 27, 2011 · Updates | |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Access Issue: MM 23-29.5 - now ended daily CO 7 highway closure/delays
Details
Per Kai Bouwman: the daily CO 7 highway closure/delay access issue is no longer a problem according to CDOT the construction finished as of Nov. 11, 2022.
From CDOT: Colorado Highway 7 is closed daily from MP 23-29.5. Motorists can only travel through the area between 6-8 am and 4-7 pm. During these timeframes, pilot cars will lead alternating one-way travel. Drivers should plan for delays, and this schedule will remain in place through Memorial Day 2022.
During the closure, motorists need to take US 36 to CO 7.
codot.gov/projects/co7-lyon…
From CDOT: Colorado Highway 7 is closed daily from MP 23-29.5. Motorists can only travel through the area between 6-8 am and 4-7 pm. During these timeframes, pilot cars will lead alternating one-way travel. Drivers should plan for delays, and this schedule will remain in place through Memorial Day 2022.
During the closure, motorists need to take US 36 to CO 7.
codot.gov/projects/co7-lyon…
Description
This is a collection of small crags and blocks that contain many interesting, short crack climbs and a few bolted routes as well. The hillside gets abundant sunshine and one could conceivably climb here throughout the year. The rock is generally high quality and can be a little sharp, so taping up might be prudent. The routes are not particularly long or classic, but a good time can be had here.
It's hard to see from the road, but the crags can be organized as four bands (as per the Gillett guidebook to the canyon). The third band is the easiest to distinguish from the road as it has the most prominent features. Some third-class scrambling may be needed to access the individual climbs in each band.
It's hard to see from the road, but the crags can be organized as four bands (as per the Gillett guidebook to the canyon). The third band is the easiest to distinguish from the road as it has the most prominent features. Some third-class scrambling may be needed to access the individual climbs in each band.
Getting There
Drive about six miles up the canyon from downtown Lyons. Parking is at the first major pullout on the left after passing through the Narrows. Walk about 50 yards back down the canyon and look sharp for a small trail going up the hillside. The trail is reminiscent of the approach to Happy Hour Crag in Boulder Canyon (steep and loose at the beginning but improves quickly). The trail is generally easy to follow and there are cairns here and there to guide your way. I found it easier to follow the trail going up than down, but your mileage may vary. About five minutes up the trail you'll encounter an old barbed-wire fence (the wire is on the ground where you cross). After passing a buttress on your right, you'll be able to see most of the prominent features. The approaches to the third band and fourth bands are the most straightforward, but finding the path of least resistance to your objective may require a little trial and error.
Classic Climbing Routes at Country-Western Crags
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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