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Elevation: 9,313 ft 2,839 m
GPS: 38.17848, -105.18356
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,818 total · 37/month
Shared By: Scott Yoder on Dec 13, 2020 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Titanic reopens! South Hardscrabble Creek is too. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Captain Winter's Spire is a 460 foot granite tower with good southern exposure on the north side of CO Highway 96. The approach is 2/3 of a mile long with 500 feet of elevation gain. The route is called The Highway 96 Mystery Spot. The route goes at 5.7, and there are no bolts. The route follows the obvious dihedrals in the center of the southeast face of the tower. It can be done with a 70 meter rope. You'll need a double rack of cams up to 2.5 inch and extra runners. Larger gear will come in handy if you want to wander off route. There are a lot of potential routes on this rock, and the protection is good and abundant.

Getting There Suggest change

Park at GPS coordinates 38.171096/-105,179493 which is a pulloff on the south side of CO Highway 96 on Hardscrabble Pass. The pulloff is 2 turns west of the Titanic Rock climbing crag. From here, you can spot 2 towers to the northwest that are around 500 feet tall. Captain Winter's Spire is the one on the left or the tower just west of Hardscrabble Spire. Hike northwest at 338 degrees from the pulloff. The hike is 2/3 of a mile and has 500 feet of elevation gain.

2 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Captain Winter's Spire

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 11
The Highway 96 Mystery Spot
Trad 4 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Highway 96 Mystery Spot
 11
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
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