Looking up the apron and "20 foot headwall" just to the left of my partner leading to proper P15 belay.

All Locations > Colorado > 10 Mile Canyon > Mt Royal (near… > Royal Flush (5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a)

Looking up the apron and "20 foot headwall" just to the left of my partner leading to proper P15 belay.

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Hugh pulling the Gunks roof. That thing is a beast - a heel hook is the key.

Where the real climbing begins - the last 4 pitches. Fun!

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Caleb McNaughton

Jul 27, 2025

“Looking up the apron and "20 foot headwall" just to the left of my partner leading to proper P15 belay.”

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Nearby Photos

The start of pitch 10 after the first traverse. The goat may or may not still be there.

81 year young Tom Hornbein getting it done on Royal Flush!

The whole route, the line isn't super accurate but gives an idea of how the route moves.

Erik Weihenmayer is psyched to have found the jug at the headwall roof! <br>
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(photo: Charley Mace)

Tom Hornbein up high.

A topo for Royal Flush.

Tom Hornbein again.

Upper headwall with new single variation pitch (yellow). Pitch line is approximate. Red arrow shows another Gunks like roof. This was my favorite pitch of the entire climb. Great variation, seemed to be almost 60m. Comparing it to other pitches on the route, it could be sustained 5.9 with a 5.10 move or two. <br>
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Original photo - Stan Wagon.

Climbing the final pitch on a cold May day.

Lexie atop pitch 14.

Becky Hall turning the "Gunks-like roof" on the headwall.<br>
<br>
(Photo: Charley Mace.)

Literally hasn't even hiked Royal before....lucky SOB on 1st multipitch.

Howard Mayson celebrating his 72nd birthday on the last pitch…with great relief!!

The headway looming. I'd suggest belaying the crux pitch from the lower anchors on top of the ramp so as to avoid being directly under the leader for the crux move. That makes for a better fall and is safer all around.

For whoever was finishing the route on Sept. 19th around 9pm, we could see you from our Airbnb.

Completing the first pitch.

Having a blast!

[This is the P10 of] Royal Flush page per the comment below.

The memorial plaque for Res Von Känel, a friend of the route setters.

OMG, I winz!!!

Coco on the upper part of Royal Flush in 2016.

Becky Hall in the White Crystal Groove pitch.<br>
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(Photo: Charley Mace.)

Pitch 10 in spring conditions, May 1, 2021.

CJ nearing the top of the route, pitch 16 maybe. The headwall section is steeper than the rest of the route and quite fun.

Route on the upper buttress. Arrow shows the Gunks roof.
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Photo by Stan Wagon.

Beth leading the the pitch after the short traverse from the slab on the upper head wall. For us, this was the second to last pitch.

We weren't the only ones who needed a snack at the top :)

The beginning of P13, view from the bottom of the apron.

The summit view ain't so bad.

Daniel about to led the 5.10 variation of P15. This is the last picture we captured before we had to bail from top of P16 due to afternoon thunderstorm. It was long, arduous, WET descent with multiple rappels. We'll have to come back and do it again to finish the last few pitches.

Royal Flush Summit SSW, 5/5/18.

Mount Royal from the parking lot. The headwall is filled with fun variations!

There are raspberry bushes on this route in the talus field and other spots, yum!

Taking the old man up Royal Flush. Get an early start to avoid getting stuck behind slow groups!

The old man popping up over the headwall 5.9? Variation. Definitely go this way. It's a great pitch.

At the boulderfields taking a sip on the way to the headwall!

Royal Flush on St. Patrick's Day.

Best spot stop and eat if there aren't to many parties on the route.

The scree field was gorgeous.

Scree field under the headwall, 5-13-17.

Looking up at the start of the route.

A photo taken from partway through P6 (out of 20). The climber is at the anchors after P7. The anchors for P6 are along the ledge (not shown).

A view of the first couple pitches on Royal Flush - Ed leading combined P1-3 to the first belay.

A group starting out on the route, 10/2/21.

Beth following the easy slab on the upper head wall before the traverse left.

Beautiful flowers found mid-route.

Looking down the first 3 pitches. A 70m easily makes it to here.

True crusher right there.

The crux pitch of the easiest way.

The start of pitch #10. It took us a second to find this, so we built a carin.

On the summit after a father/daughter ascent. Wildfire smoke from out West filled in the I-70 corridor, making it hard to breathe. The following day saw up to a foot of snow fall and temps dropped some 60 degrees.

James climbing high above Frisco on the route Royal Flush. Fun day!

Royal Flush summit NNW, 5/5/2018.

About to head up the last pitch.

Hugh pulling the Gunks roof. That thing is a beast - a heel hook is the key.

Looking up the apron and "20 foot headwall" just to the left of my partner leading to proper P15 belay.

Where the real climbing begins - the last 4 pitches. Fun!

In the boulderfield, approaching the headwall apron, May 1, 2021.

Grabbing some water at the top of the screefield before starting up the headwall. Don't forget to soak in the views while you're up here.

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