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Aiguille de Fleur Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Aiguille de Fleur

	Eastern Roofs T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Fish In Formation T 5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c PG13
	North Arete T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Original East Face T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Russian Ties T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b R
	Victory Garden T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a

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Elevation:	11,940 ft	3,639 m
GPS:	40.2151, -105.7035 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	14,068 total · 80/month
Shared By:	Joe Sambataro on Sep 26, 2011
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Closures Details

Seasonal closures Feb. 15-July 31. Per the Denver Post:, the Cathedral Wall and all areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off-trail travel! Per this RMNP website, "Initial closures now occur in Feb. 15 and April, when raptors return to the region and scout for nesting sites. Areas containing general habitat preferred by raptors are closed during this time. Once raptors have selected nesting spots, the initial closures are lifted or adjusted. The specific areas which raptors choose for nesting sites are closed."

For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.

General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.

Description

For the western slopes of Rocky Mountain National Park, Aiguille de Fleur (Flower Tower) is an impressive granite monolith. On the western side of the Divide, the approach provides a quieter experience and a more lush backdrop of forests and meadows. Beyond Lake Verna, you will be hard pressed to run into others hiking or climbing.

While not in Gillett's 2001 RMNP High Peaks guide, 5 routes are described in Rossiter's 1997 RMNP guidebook. Recorded ascents go back to the '60s, and it's likely that the South Ridge was climbed even earlier. The East Face is an impressive expanse of granite with some unrecorded (and possibly unfinished) routes.

Once on top the relatively flat yet difficult-to-reach summit of wildflowers and grasses, descend south to a col separating the peak from the ridgeline. A rap sling around a large block is in place for a short 40 foot rap into the gully to the east. A short scramble down the gully leads back to the base of the East Face.

For those wishing to explore and willing to hike the extra distance, East Inlet and especially Aiguille de Fleur offer some fun climbing.

Getting There

From Grand Lake, drive west on West Portal Road to the East Inlet Trailhead. Hike 6.9 miles up the East Inlet Trail to the end of Lake Verna. Great single site camping can be found at Slick Rock, Solitaire, Upper East Inlet, and Lake Verna. Obtain a backcountry permit with the NPS for one of these sites. From the far end of Lake Verna, hike a few hundred yards towards Spirit Lake before taking the path of least resistance south across the creek and up steep forested slopes to the base of Aiguille de Fleur. Above tree line, an expansive slab separates climbs on the eastern and western sides. For the South Ridge (also the descent) and East Face, gain the upper valley to the left of the slab. For the North Ridge and West Face, scramble up scree further right.