All Locations > Colorado > Alpine Rock > RMNP - Rock > Glacier Gorge > Shelf Cirque

Shelf Cirque Traverse

Name: Shelf Cirque Traverse
Rating: 3.6

Easy 5th YDS 1+ French 3 Ewbanks I UIAA 5 ZA M 1c British

Early Access

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Shelf Cirque Traverse T Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c

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Type:	Trad, Alpine, 19475 ft (5902 m), Grade III
GPS:	40.2733, -105.6481
FA:	unknown
Page Views:	8,840 total · 47/month
Shared By:	Bill Duncan on Apr 15, 2011
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Closures Details

Seasonal closures Feb. 15-July 31. Per the Denver Post:, the Cathedral Wall and all areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off-trail travel! Per this RMNP website, "Initial closures now occur in Feb. 15 and April, when raptors return to the region and scout for nesting sites. Areas containing general habitat preferred by raptors are closed during this time. Once raptors have selected nesting spots, the initial closures are lifted or adjusted. The specific areas which raptors choose for nesting sites are closed."

For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.

General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.

Description

This has 4 summits, excellent exposure, tremendous views, and some climbing. Start at Solitude Lake. Climb Arrowhead. Traverse west on the McHenry's-Arrowhead ridge, and then climb the NE Ridge of McHenry's. Descend from the summit to the NW, then off the west side of the ridge to the upper reaches of the gully behind McHenry's Notch. 1 rap gets you into the gully. Climb Mt. Powell. Descend to the NW until you can drop on to the NE ridge that leads to Thatchtop. This ridge is amazing in its exposure and views of the Cathedral Spires. Continue to the summit of Thatchtop, and then descend back to Solitude Lake, or to the north if you are familiar with the descent for All Mixed Up.

This is an excellent 1-day outing, or bivy in the Solitude Lake bivy area for a treat.

Protection

You may want to bring ropes and some webbing for the rap into McHenry's Notch. If you are not comfortable soloing easy fifth class with exposure, then bring a light alpine rack.