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AAA Crag Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in AAA Crag

L › R R › L A › Z

	"Unknown 1" S 5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
	AAA S 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Albuquerque Isotopes S 5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
	Rusty Bridges S 5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c
	Unknown 2 T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Unknown 3 T 5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a

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Elevation:	6,200 ft	1,890 m
GPS:	39.74317, -105.25079 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	8,962 total · 84/month
Shared By:	Monomaniac on Feb 27, 2016
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

Please be aware of the annual raptor seasonal closures!

Raptor Closures Effective February 1-July 31

Visit: jeffco.us/open-space/news/2…

Tunnel 1 closure
For more details visit: jeffco.us/open-space/alerts…

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 1 (MM 270, W of Tunnel 1). Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 2 (E of Tunnel 2). In 2016, the closure WAS lifted June 9 for ONLY the 2016 season, per Eric Krause, JeffCo OS Ranger. Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

The two areas Jefferson County Open Space intends to close in Clear Creek Canyon, shown on the attached maps, encompass the active eagle nests. If the Clear Creek eagles continue to nest in the active nests, these areas will remain closed from February 1 through July 31. If the eagles choose different nesting sites, the closures will be adjusted accordingly to protect those eagles during their breeding season.

Currently, rock climbing areas that fall inside of the seasonal raptor closures include:

Blonde Formation
Bumbling Stock
Evil Area
Ghost Crag
Highlander
Skinny Legs
Stumbling Block
Tetanus Garden
Fault Caves

Description

This compact crag features two distinct walls: the slabby west-face with two enjoyable mixed lines, and a slightly-overhanging north-facing wall with four challenging lines. The north wall is covered in exfoliating dinner-plate flakes that offer intermittent incut jugs. Where flakes are lacking, the wall is virtually blank, resulting in boulder climbing between taxing rest stancing. The west wall is laced with discontinuous crack systems and 1-pad-deep edges that make for fun, entertaining moderates.

Most climbers will want to visit this crag during baseball season (say, early April through late October) to take advantage of the shade. That said, the west wall can be nice and toasty on sunny winter afternoons, and the north wall seems to be relatively sheltered from the wind, making it a viable cold-weather option for those in search of “sending temps.”

NOTE: The proper name for this crag is unknown. "AAA Crag" is used here as a placeholder until the proper name is determined.

Routes L -> R:

North Face:
1. Albuquerque Isotopes, 5.13, 40', 4 bolts, 2 bolt anchor.
2. Unknown 1, 5.11+, 40', 5 bolts, 2 bolt anchor (begins on #1, traverse right, finishes on #3, shares anchor with #3).
3. Rusty Bridges, 5.13+, 40', 5 bolts, 2 bolt anchor (shares last bolt and anchor with #4).
4. AAA, 5.11-, 40', 5 bolts, 2 bolt anchor (shares last bolt and anchor with #3).

West Face:
5. Unknown 2, 5.10, 40', 3 bolts + gear, 2 bolt anchor (shared with #6).
6. Unknown 3, 5.10, 40', 2 bolts + gear, 2 bolt anchor (shared with #5).

Getting There

This crag is located directly across the canyon from New Hipster Rock (just upstream from Tunnel 1, and a few hundred yards downstream from the Ghost Crag). There is no approach trail, so once across the river, follow your nose for about 10 minutes up the steep (and sometimes loose) hillside to the crag.