All Locations > Colorado > Golden > Clear Creek Canyon > Crystal Tower

Quartz Sports

Name: Quartz Sports
Rating: 3.6

5.12b YDS 7b French 26 Ewbanks VIII+ UIAA 26 ZA E5 6b British

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Routes in The Crystal Tower

L › R R › L A › Z

	Cornered Again S 5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
	Crystallize S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Hot Rocks S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Mineral Museum T,S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Psychedelic Mini-Fridge S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Quartz Sports S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
	Skippin' Stones S 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a

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Type:	Sport, 80 ft (24 m)
GPS:	39.74003, -105.41468
FA:	Ken Trout, 1992
Page Views:	6,185 total · 20/month
Shared By:	Richard M. Wright on Mar 1, 2001
Admins:	Shirtless Mike, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Explore this route in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

Please be aware of the annual raptor seasonal closures!

Raptor Closures Effective February 1-July 31

Visit: jeffco.us/open-space/news/2…

Tunnel 1 closure
For more details visit: jeffco.us/open-space/alerts…

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 1 (MM 270, W of Tunnel 1). Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 2 (E of Tunnel 2). In 2016, the closure WAS lifted June 9 for ONLY the 2016 season, per Eric Krause, JeffCo OS Ranger. Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

The two areas Jefferson County Open Space intends to close in Clear Creek Canyon, shown on the attached maps, encompass the active eagle nests. If the Clear Creek eagles continue to nest in the active nests, these areas will remain closed from February 1 through July 31. If the eagles choose different nesting sites, the closures will be adjusted accordingly to protect those eagles during their breeding season.

Currently, rock climbing areas that fall inside of the seasonal raptor closures include:

Blonde Formation
Bumbling Stock
Evil Area
Ghost Crag
Highlander
Skinny Legs
Stumbling Block
Tetanus Garden
Fault Caves

Access Issue: Private Property - be aware & respectful Details

Per Daniel Dunn, Stewardship Manager, Boulder Climbing Community ((803) 443-8822): this crag is on private property. The landowners are aware of the climbing on their property and continue to allow access for rock climbers. It is critical for long term access that everyone who climbs here is respectful and does their part to keep the crag in good shape. For more information on how to be a good steward, check out the Climber's Pact from Access Fund.

Description

Quartz Sports starts just to the right of Mineral Museum and before Hot Rocks in the grey sector of the wall. Like Mineral Museum, Quartz faces South and gets excellent sun most of the day. Head up a slab/seam system for four clips. A right-facing corner gets the fifth clip and the first crux at 5.12 a/b; not bad for the hands, but truly terrible feet. This is so well protected that you either make the move or you don't, no cop-outs for the scary pro. A horizontal jam, a few clips, and a short head wall bring you to the second crux at 5.12 a - pulling over the roof. There is a killer, quartz blob up there, but you will have to figure out your own beta. Juice up, power the move, and race up to the anchor. Kudos to Ken Trout for the fine eye that spotted the route and four stars for the overall fun climbing, good stone, continuity, and perplexing problem of the first crux.