Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 8,751 ft
GPS: 40.35209, -105.65432
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 52,026 total · 198/month
Shared By: Tony B on Aug 12, 2002
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Rock Of Ages is a fine granite wall in Rocky Mountain National Park. Unlike the High peaks, this wall has a short approach and is a good cragging wall. The climbs vary between 1-3 pitches in length and are generally from 100 to 200 feet long. If you find yourself in the Estes Park area and it is too late for a long and committing alpine route, consider this wall as an option. Be warned in advance that most of the climbs here are 5.10+ or harder.

The finer grains and lack of inclusions mean that this rock is very high friction in general, and not too hard on the hands. The granite of this wall ranges from scaly in some spots to bullet-hard and perfect in others. For the most part, the rock is clean, but on the lower right the rock is very scaly and difficult to smear or edge upon.

The face predominantly faces south, although the dihedrals on the East and West ends get shade at one time or another for most of the day. You may be able to climb in the shade for a part of the day, but the must-do classic there, Days Of Heaven (10d), sits in the sun all day. Some other notable climbs include Nameless Demons (10a), Center Dihedral (10d), Celestial Gate (11-) and a few solid 5.12s, such as Rope Gun With Silencer (5.12), that are too hard for me to comment on in much more detail than to say "good top-ropes." The original trad lines were done in the early 1980s, with some additional development occuring only recently, nearly 20 years later.

L->R:

Upper cliff:

A. Greensleeves, 12, 1p, bolts & gear.
B. The Wasp, 13-, 1p, 95', gear.
C. Telekinesis, 13, 1p, 100', bolts.
D. Unknown, 100', bolts & gear.

Lower cliff:

A. Baptismal Font, 11, 1p, gear.
B? Left Out, 11+, 1p, TR.
C? Multiple Blues, 10+ R, 1p, 50', gear.
D? Finger crack, 11, 1p?
E? Tipendicular?
F. Desolation Angels, 11+ R, 2p, 150', gear.
G. Heavenly Daze, 12, 1p, 100', bolts & gear.
H. Nameless Demons, 10, 2p, 130', gear.
I. Celestial Gate, 12-, 3p, 200', gear & bolts.
J. Rope Gun with Silencer, 12+, 3p, bolt, pins, gear.
K1. Days of Heaven, 10+ PG-13, 3p, 200', gear.
K2. Locks of Rages, 12+, 1p var, gear.
K3. Hats Off, 12, 1p var, gear.
L. Center Dihedral, 10+, 2p, 200', gear.
M. Original Sin, 10, 1p, 70', gear.
N. Rope Rider, 12-, 1p, 80', pins & gear.

Further east:

A. Every Pitch Tells A Story, 10+ R, 3p.
B. Got To Get Out Of This Place, 10+.

Way further east.

C. Red Rover, 11-, 2p, gear.

Crack Wall

D1. Orange Crush, 8+, 4p, gear.
D2. Variation, 10-, gear.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive in to the Fern Lake Trailhead, to the very end. Park here and hike past scads of fishermen... (Are there really any fish left here?) ... for a little over a mile until you come to some huge boulders through which the trail is pinched. Just after passing these boulders, you can look up and to the right (North) and see a few solid walls of rock to the North/Northwest. Scamble up a talus field to approach the lowest of these, which is the lower section of Rock Of Ages. This hike will require about 1 hour.

16 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Rock Of Ages Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Rock Of Ages

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 19
Nameless Demons
Trad 2 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 124
Days of Heaven
Trad 3 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 5
Center Dihedral
Trad 2 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a R
 6
Desolation Angels
Trad 2 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 12
Celestial Gate
Trad 2 pitches
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 4
Hats Off
Trad 2 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 10
Heavenly Daze
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 17
Greensleeves
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 4
Black Tie
Trad
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 39
The Wasp
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Nameless Demons
 19
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Days of Heaven
 124
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 3 pitches
Center Dihedral
 5
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Desolation Angels
 6
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a R Trad 2 pitches
Celestial Gate
 12
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad 2 pitches
Hats Off
 4
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Trad 2 pitches
Heavenly Daze
 10
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Greensleeves
 17
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Black Tie
 4
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad
The Wasp
 39
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Trad
More Classic Climbs in Rock Of Ages »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

0 Comments