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Vallecito/Pine River Metolius Buttress Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Vallecito/Pine River Metolius Buttress

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Elevation:	8,113 ft
GPS:	37.40401, -107.52667 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	1,909 total · 19/month
Shared By:	Steve Elder on Dec 23, 2015
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

This limestone crag lies above Lake Vallecito just south of the confluence of the Pine River. The rock quality is variable with some rotten bands. There about three main areas on this outcropping that are better quality and should yield some more fun routes. The leftmost buttress is called Metolius Buttress, and the rest are currently not named or climbed.

Getting There

Take CR 240 out of Durango and follow signs to Vallecito. At the base of the dam, turn right and follow this road past the dam. Continue around the east side of the lake until FR 851 is seen on the right. Follow this to its end, and you will be just down the hill from the crag. In winter, park back at the gate where the nordic track starts, and ski up road and hike to crag. In winter, the approach takes about an hour. It takes 10 minutes in summer.