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Checkerboard Boulder Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Checkerboard Boulder

L › R R › L A › Z

	Checkerboard Square V4+ 6B+
	Hollywood Squares V8+ 7B+
	Hollywood Squares Right V8+ 7B+
	Patina Arete V5 6C

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Elevation:	6,445 ft	1,964 m
GPS:	39.35999, -104.7709 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	1,998 total · 52/month
Shared By:	LucasSpiegel on Jan 1, 2022
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Historical seasonal raptor closures with 2023 updates Details

Per Castlewood Canyon: there is a new closure for nesting raptors this year: Five and Dime will be closed March 1st through July 31st. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me, Rachel Chaffee (Park Ranger) at dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.us or by phone at 303-688-5242.

Per Garrett Garner-Wells:

the current raptor closures, announced by CPW and reported on Denver7:

The following climbing route closures are currently in place:

- Morning Sun Wall is closed March 1-July 31.
- Porky’s Wall is closed March 1 - July 31.
- Vultures Wall is closed March 1-July 31. (per Rachel, CCSP Ranger, dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.use or 303-688-5242)
- Shakespearean Theater is closed March 1-May 31.
- Mind Meld is closed March 1-May 31.

As of 2020:

There is a very new and active nest of owls midway up the cliff at the north end of the Neanderthal Wall between Cro-Mag and Up The Red. There is no active nest around the south end of Neanderthal Wall.

As of June, 2017:

The 3 toprope routes at the far south end of Neanderthal Wall (far north end of Allied Wall) have a nesting pair of Snowy Owls. Please stay off these routes until further notice. The park has been notified and hopefully some signage will be put up. The route Rock Rat is included.

As of March 7, 2012:

Shakespearean Theater - restricted March, April, May.
Mind Meld - restricted March, April, May.
Porky's Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, through July 31.
Vulture Wall - restricted March, April, May.
Morning Sun Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, July.

Description

This is a unique boulder with a tall face on its front side.

Bob Horan discovered this a long time ago and climbed the leftmost route, Checkerboard Square....likely without crashpads. A landing has been built since then, opening up 2 more routes that were previously to sketchy to attempt to climb. It's probably best not to fall near the top, as the landing is still a bit sketchy.

Getting There

This boulder is located a few hundred feet downhill and slightly hiker's left of the Salamander Boulder. You can hike straight to it from the parking lot below. It's probably easier to find for the 1st time by going to the front of the Salamander Boulder and hiking down and slightly left. Bushwhacking will occur. It is an impressive boulder but is nearly impossible to see until you're standing right in front of it.