Type: | Trad |
FA: | in guidebook |
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Shared By: | Bill Wright on Sep 25, 2001 |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
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Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Closures - lifted
Details
Update: as of 6/7/23 per Mike McHugh, ECSP: all closures have been lifted within Eldorado Canyon State Park, including Continental Crag.
Crags on Eldorado Mountain, such as Mickey Mouse wall and Cryptic Crags, are outside of park boundaries and may still be subject to Boulder County closures.
Previously in 2023: per M. McHugh, ECSP: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin, & the
Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately. This included Continental Crag.
These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing & hiking, through 7/15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the S side of the canyon.
Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine to $5,000 & one year imprisonment.
See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.
Previous years: per Dustin Bergman, CO State Parks Officer #770, ECSP:
Seasonal Raptor Closures
Check Park site for current closures:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
For more info visit:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
Double check prior to venturing there. Thanks!
Crags on Eldorado Mountain, such as Mickey Mouse wall and Cryptic Crags, are outside of park boundaries and may still be subject to Boulder County closures.
Previously in 2023: per M. McHugh, ECSP: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin, & the
Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately. This included Continental Crag.
These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing & hiking, through 7/15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the S side of the canyon.
Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine to $5,000 & one year imprisonment.
See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.
Previous years: per Dustin Bergman, CO State Parks Officer #770, ECSP:
Seasonal Raptor Closures
Check Park site for current closures:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
For more info visit:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
Double check prior to venturing there. Thanks!
Description
This route is on the far west edge of the south face and provides a great introduction to the more difficult routes on the south face. This route has all the character of the other routes, but with less technical difficult. The exposure is quite nice and the moves are challenging.
The route can be accessed by any lower south face route or any route that climbs the lower west face of the Wind Tower. The Bomb or West Overhang or Hard Up make reasonable approach routes.
As with many south face routes, this one is stiff for the grade. The guidebook gives it 5.8, but I think it is more like 5.9-. The climbing at the start is dead vertical and runout a bit. The climbing is interesting and you have to work a bit for the gear and keep a cool head. The upper section might have some semi-loose flakes, but they are no problem - climb like an alpinist and test the holds, but most are very solid. The difficulties are much easier on the upper section, but the exposure is great as you traverse up and right with the whole south face below you.
The route can be accessed by any lower south face route or any route that climbs the lower west face of the Wind Tower. The Bomb or West Overhang or Hard Up make reasonable approach routes.
As with many south face routes, this one is stiff for the grade. The guidebook gives it 5.8, but I think it is more like 5.9-. The climbing at the start is dead vertical and runout a bit. The climbing is interesting and you have to work a bit for the gear and keep a cool head. The upper section might have some semi-loose flakes, but they are no problem - climb like an alpinist and test the holds, but most are very solid. The difficulties are much easier on the upper section, but the exposure is great as you traverse up and right with the whole south face below you.
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