PRINT: Climb The Rail, Eldorado Canyon State Park

The Rail

V2, Boulder, 25 ft (8 m),

Avg: 2.5 from 2 votes
FA: unknown to me
Colorado > Boulder > Eldorado Canyon SP > Eldorado Canyon… > Keg Boulders > Pony Keg

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!

Description

This is the obvious traverse along the crack on the south side of the boulder. Do a sit down start up the leaning crack on the left side of the south face, and then hand traverse right along the seam with decent hands but bad feet until it turns into a mellow slab. This is a bit sharp but quite fun- - it gets a strong two stars. It felt more like V3 to me (the grade is from Colorado Bouldering - Front Range).

Instead of hand traversing, you can also finish straight up above the initial crack, which is a cool couple of moves with some pockets, a hidden crimp, and a pseudo-mantel. That is perhaps a little easier than the traverse, but it is headier.

Location

Start on the left side of the boulder's south face with a sit down start up an obvious, leaning crack.

Protection

A pad and a spotter are optional - it's pretty low to the ground, although on the last few difficult moves, you're a bit higher and could potentially twist an ankle if you landed unluckily on one of the wooden steps below the boulder. This is not the crux, though.