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Mars Block Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Mars Block

L › R R › L A › Z

	Almond Joy T 5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
	Cream Puff S,TR 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Mounds T 5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a
	Plain or Peanut S 5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
	Reese's Pieces T 5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a R
	School, The S 5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
	Snickers Dihedral T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a PG13
	Three Musketeers T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13
Unsorted Routes:

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Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	8,200 ft	2,499 m
GPS:	39.9661, -105.2917 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	5,996 total · 34/month
Shared By:	Tony B on May 31, 2011
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures Details

The usual crags are closed for climbing for raptor nesting:

See: bouldercolorado.gov/service….

Click here for the trail closures. Some are M-F, some are 24/7. These impact the Bear Canyon/Fern Canyon regions primarily:

flatironsclimbing.org/tempo…

Click here bouldercolorado.gov/service… for the latest in raptor closures.

Description

This is a small crag compared to others in this general area, but it is the highest in elevation. This rock forms a summit cap on the Western ridge above the North side of Fern Canyon. From the top, you look back on a nice view down into town and to the West into the mountains. The angle from which you view all the other crags is almost disorienting.

The rock here is generally compact smooth and solid, with one notable exception (Almond Joy, 5.8+) and is given to slab and face climbing. The non east-face routes here range in height from 30' to 70' and in difficulty from 5.3 to 5.13.

The south face gets sun most of the day, and the West face in the afternoon.

To descend this rock, downclimb about 1/2 way down the East face on the South end to a point where it is possible to step left around a corner and onto the ground, or climb to reach the anchors on one of the several sport routes and rap off.

Getting There

Head up the Fern Canyon trail passing Fern Canyon and the Nebel Horn Ridge, eventually arriving at a flat "pass" with loose gravel as a base (very little soil) and braided trails. To the right (North) there is a stubby-looking summit tower, and this is the Mars Block. You are looking at the shortest face, the South. The harder climbing is all on the West side, the easier climbing faces you on one of the two south-facing aspects, and the tallest stuff is only revealed by walking under it to the West.