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Colossal Columns Climbing

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Elevation:	7,895 ft	2,406 m
GPS:	41.66066, -117.53551 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	185 total · 16/month
Shared By:	Mitch Vorwerk on Mar 18, 2024
Admins:	Lurk Er, Justin Johnsen Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

There are some huge basalt-like columns up high that are hard to miss when oogling the plethora of rock formations in Paradise Valley. Many of these columns are very wide (up to 10-12 feet) and can be up to 40 meters tall. The climbs are quite vertical and typically start out off-widthy down low but narrow up to fingers/hands the higher you climb.

Only one crack has been coarsely cleaned and top-roped a few times using a trad anchor, everything else is untouched. There are currently no established climbs here, but there is a ton of potential and it has promise of being the first trad-centric wall in Paradise Valley. Recommend coming in from the top and cleaning any potential lines first. Trad anchors for TRing the routes are possible, but it's tricky to find placements and a lot of cord/rope/webbing may be needed (see photo section for an example of what we used). A ground-up F.A. is not recommended because of likely loose rock.

There is a walk-off on the right side of the cliff that is very reasonable. It's also possible to walk off the left side of the cliff, but it's farther, slower, and more scrambley.

Getting There

This crag has been approached from both the west and the north. There may be other options, but no matter which way you choose, it is considerably further and more difficult to get to than all other crags in Paradise Valley. If you have a high clearance 4x4 vehicle, I would recommend approaching from Hinkey Summit. However, if you are already climbing at the Cleft, maybe it makes sense to approach from there. Either way, it's a big day to go exploring up here, but I think the potential that it holds for some epic lines will prove it a worthwhile effort.

From the Parking spot at Hinkey Summit: If you choose to drive the first section of this approach, you need a vehicle with 4x4 and with higher clearance than a standard Subaru- we've done it in a Toyota Tacoma without too much difficulty. Hike or drive SE up the rough 4x4 (towards the top of the Hinkey Summit wall) road for ~0.8 miles until the road forks at a Y. Park here if you drove up the road. The hiking approach route is posted on the mountain project map. Continue from here hiking in the SSE direction, wrapping your way around the hills until you reach the wall. This will take you to the top of the columns, follow the approach route (also on the map) down and around to get the base of the wall.

Hinkey Summit Parking to Colossal Columns Upper Parking: 0.8 mile hike or drive with 615 feet of gain
Colossal Columns Upper Parking to the Colossal Columns: 0.5 mile hike with 520 feet of loss
ONE WAY TOTALS: 1.3 miles with 615 feet of gain and 520 feet of loss

From the Main Parking spot for The Cleft: Hike over to the Cleft as usual and then walk around the southern side of The Cleft. The approach route from The Cleft is posted on the mountain project map. Continue hiking ~1.0 miles NNE up the valley until you reach the base of the columns. This is a very pretty hike and you get to see a lot of cool rock formations up close as you hike up the steep valley.

Cleft Parking to The Cleft: 0.4 mile hike with 115 feet of gain and 137 feet of loss
The Cleft to Colossal Columns: 1.0 mile hike with 900 feet of gain
ONE WAY TOTALS: 1.4 miles with 1,015 feet of gain and 137 feet of loss

The GPS location of the cliff is: 41.66066, -117.53551