East Elk Granite Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 6,894 ft | 2,101 m |
GPS: |
39.66718, -107.52671 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 22,973 total · 219/month | |
Shared By: | Michael Schneiter on Apr 28, 2016 | |
Admins: | Alvaro Arnal, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Description
The East Elk granite is tucked away in a quiet canyon, rising up to 400 feet high and featuring a mix of sport, mixed, and traditional climbing. An increasing number of multi-pitch lines have been developed although the highest concentration of quality climbing is single pitch sport. It's been a seldom visited crag over the years, so expect a little adventure getting to the crag and on some of the climbs until they get more traffic, which is likely with the new guidebook out.
Getting There
Driving Directions
Drive up East Elk Creek Road where the road turns to gravel before “dead-ending” at a gate by a ranch. Go through the gate, and in 1/4 mile you enter Forest Service land. Continue on a rough road for approximately 1 mile to the true dead end of the road where you can park by a footbridge across East Elk Creek. For those with low-clearance vehicles, careful driving will take you to a pullout before a steep, rough hill. From here, you can hike the last 1/4 mile of road to the trailhead.
Hiking Directions
Cross the footbridge and take five or six steps on the trail before taking a left into the trees to find a discreet climbers’ trail to the right of the large scree field. The trail switchbacks up the hillside through the trees. After crossing a scree field, the trail splits, cutting left and back through the scree field to go to the Uber Wall, the Jungle Gym, and the Middle Ground. Going straight at the trail junction takes you to the rest of the areas such as the Headwall, Original Overhangs, and the Slab area.
An alternate approach for the northernmost areas, such as the Slab area, exists a few hundred yards up the East Elk Creek trail.
Drive up East Elk Creek Road where the road turns to gravel before “dead-ending” at a gate by a ranch. Go through the gate, and in 1/4 mile you enter Forest Service land. Continue on a rough road for approximately 1 mile to the true dead end of the road where you can park by a footbridge across East Elk Creek. For those with low-clearance vehicles, careful driving will take you to a pullout before a steep, rough hill. From here, you can hike the last 1/4 mile of road to the trailhead.
Hiking Directions
Cross the footbridge and take five or six steps on the trail before taking a left into the trees to find a discreet climbers’ trail to the right of the large scree field. The trail switchbacks up the hillside through the trees. After crossing a scree field, the trail splits, cutting left and back through the scree field to go to the Uber Wall, the Jungle Gym, and the Middle Ground. Going straight at the trail junction takes you to the rest of the areas such as the Headwall, Original Overhangs, and the Slab area.
An alternate approach for the northernmost areas, such as the Slab area, exists a few hundred yards up the East Elk Creek trail.
Weather Averages
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