Type: | Trad, Alpine, Grade II |
FA: | unknown |
Page Views: | 4,064 total · 15/month |
Shared By: | Julian Smith on Aug 17, 2002 |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
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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.
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
The South Ramp ascends the south west face of Arrowhead and begins at the same point as Refugium and Rain Dance. It makes a very handy descent route for routes on the south west face. Otherwise, this would be a very enjoyable scramble to the top of Arrowhead.
From Black Lake, skirt the right side of the lake to the open boulder field and grassy slopes that ascend to Arrowhead from the back of the lake. Work up the grassy slopes using an intermittent trail that is found on the right side. Work up to a prominent left facing break in the slabs above. Once at the break, traverse left along grassy ledges to the valley between McHenrys Peak and Arrowhead. Make the traverse slightly rising, but avoid going too high on the slabs.
Use one of two options to get on the route. From beneath the main South face, scramble up slabs until reaching a long ramp that angles up and to the right. Follow this ramp until just beneath the summit. Continue following the ramp around the North side of the summit and climb to the top. Descend the route.
Alternately, approach as for the start of Refugium and Rain Dance. Crank up the loose gully on the right until the ramp can be reached on the right.
The gully is probably 5.4 and the slabs are probably 4th class. Either way is good, but the gully is definitely loose. The gully can easily be down climbed on the left to reach gear stashed at the bottom of Refugium or Rain Dance. Enjoy.
From Black Lake, skirt the right side of the lake to the open boulder field and grassy slopes that ascend to Arrowhead from the back of the lake. Work up the grassy slopes using an intermittent trail that is found on the right side. Work up to a prominent left facing break in the slabs above. Once at the break, traverse left along grassy ledges to the valley between McHenrys Peak and Arrowhead. Make the traverse slightly rising, but avoid going too high on the slabs.
Use one of two options to get on the route. From beneath the main South face, scramble up slabs until reaching a long ramp that angles up and to the right. Follow this ramp until just beneath the summit. Continue following the ramp around the North side of the summit and climb to the top. Descend the route.
Alternately, approach as for the start of Refugium and Rain Dance. Crank up the loose gully on the right until the ramp can be reached on the right.
The gully is probably 5.4 and the slabs are probably 4th class. Either way is good, but the gully is definitely loose. The gully can easily be down climbed on the left to reach gear stashed at the bottom of Refugium or Rain Dance. Enjoy.
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