PRINT: Rock Climb The Steeple, Estes Park Valley

The Steeple

5.8, Sport, 105 ft (32 m),

Avg: 2.5 from 115 votes
FA: unknown
Colorado > Estes Park Valley > Big Thompson Ca… > Monastery > Outer Gates

Access Issue: Area closure - now lifted. Previously: Storm Mt./Cedar Park road is reopened to all Details

Per Kurtz: The Monastery is open again! fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO….

Per Julie Nelson: the forest is closed due to after fire concerns in this area until June 30, 2021. There is a sign at the trailhead about the closure. See the US Forest Service website for further updates.

Previously: per Bruce Hildenbrand: Storm Mountain Road is open to all.

Per Hank C: the Storm Mt./Cedar Park area is closed to locals-only traffic for the time being due to wildfire concerns. We were turned away by a park ranger this morning (9/12/2020).

Access Issue: Access issue - Monastery, Cedar Park, Combat Rock, etc. - open since 2023 Details

Update: per Bruce Hildenbrand: the area has been open since 2023.

Per JF M: as of May 2022, there is no signage on-site, nor information on the USFS webpage for the Cameron Peak Fire (nor on their published map of closures) that indicates the area is closed.

Per Bruce Hildenbrand: it appears that the Forest Service has closed access to all the climbing areas accessed via Storm Mountain Road (Monastery, Cedar Park, Combat Rock, etc.) until they can clear all the dangerous dead trees from the Cameron Peak fire.

I worked this issue with Eric Murdock at the AF, and it looks like the Forest Service picked Devil's Gulch Road as the southern boundary even though all the climbing areas on MP.com were not burned.

Description

From the Inner Sanctum Passage, the Steeple is the second formation uphill. The route is the left of two routes on the formation, and follows a blunt arete on the left side. This was a good route with some of everything, and fairly sustained.

Protection

11 draws plus 2 for the anchors. 1 60m rope or 2 ropes.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Griz pebble pinching on The Steeple.

The left route is "The Steeple", while the right side is "The Crucifix".

B. Maynes on top of The Steeple.

Having a great time on The Steeple. Photo by Mary Kathern.

The rope is on The Steeple.

Griz pinching pebbles on The Steeple under standard Colorado skies.

Amos belaying Brent up The Steeple.

John on "The Steeple". A nice welcoming to the Monastery.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

John on "The Steeple". A nice welcoming to the Monastery. Photo by Blitzo.

Albert Kettner contemplating the moves up the steep headwall near the top.

Shane trying to hold it together on the crux of the steeple.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Steve Marr
Colorado Springs, CO

Excellent route up a good spire, with more fantastic views from the top. Be careful when rapping with a single 60m rope - the ballayer will probably have to move up on the lower angle rock around the base of the climb. Jun 5, 2002

Joshua Lewis

For all those without any other guide info:

If you liked this line, step 2 lines left up onto a block and do another great 8. It has 3-4 bolts of thinnish face then hits a nice, juggy overhang. Actual handholds give you a break from crimping for the next 3-4 bolts. Fun--only about 50-60 ft, though. Jun 10, 2002

Joe Keyser
Scottsdale, AZ

Beta for this climb: stand on a pebble, pinch a pebble, stand on a pebble, pinch a pebble... Pretty much like that the whole way. Jul 17, 2002

Andy Mauk

Sweet route for warming up on. The first three quaters of the route is really good feet and hands, but towards the top it can get a little sketchy if your tierd. You have to wear shoes that don't make your feet hurt because your feet hurt after the climb no matter what your wearing on your feet. Aug 12, 2002

Anthony Lopez

If you are a moderate climber and looking for a route at the monastery that will boost your confidence in your leading abilities, this is the route. May 24, 2003

James Balasalle

5.8

This is a good route. It's LONG though. Rapping off used almost all of our 60M rope. I felt it to be the same climbing almost the whole way up. I kept thinking to myself "Am I there yet?" and "Didn't I just do this move?"

I wouldn't make the hike just for this climb... Jul 16, 2003

Jake Wyatt
Longmont, CO

I found the only variety to be where the moves changed from the 5.7 and under to the little crux section near the top, as that seemed to be pretty noticeable. Jul 17, 2003

shad O'Neel

A brisk wind adds to the pucker factor high on this one. Climbing was reasonable, but it really made me not want to fall up high. Nice long slab climbing. Mar 23, 2004

clint dillard
Louisville, Co

5.8-

I thought this route was great. This was my first visit to the area, so I was a little nervous about the climbing at the start of the day, but I quickly figured it out. The routes just got better as the day went along. The Steeple, I felt was 3 star pebble pinching. Once you get over the possibility that the pebble your holding or standing could break and send you on that cheese grater fall you always fear, and just enjoy where your at and what your doing. The whole experience is amazing. Jul 26, 2005

Blitzo

A good route. Sep 15, 2006

Kat A
Boulder, CO

A decent 5.8 route though I wouldn't recommend a beginner lead this one - it's exposed, can be windy, and the bolts are spaced far enough that a lead fall would be very painful on the sharp, crystalline rock. Oct 3, 2006

tdavidock
Kingston, NY

5.8+

Great climb that pushes your leading ability at this grade. It was very sustained, but probably one of my favorite sport climbs in all of the Estes Valley. The views at the top are amazing. Unlike the other comment, I would definitely make the approach to get on this climb (the Monastery is a great destination). Jul 8, 2009

Canon

A cruise but fun. Good warm-up. Exactly 30m, be very careful where you are belaying from. Aug 28, 2012

Bruce Hildenbrand
Silicon Valley/Boulder

In June 2014, Dale Haas and I replaced the cold shut hangers on the anchor bolts with SS hangers. We added SS quicklinks and rings. The American Safe Climbing Association - ASCA(www.safeclimbing.org) provided the hardware. They appreciate your support. Dec 11, 2014

Wyatt Peck

Great warm-up route, though it was a bit repetitive. A stiff breeze can up the mental difficulty, as it's pretty exposed. Sep 14, 2016

Kat Desilane

Straightforward, but it does get harder up top as the fatigue kicks in and the pebbles get smaller. I'd use a 70m rope. Jul 21, 2018