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A Walk in The Park Rock Climbing

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Routes in A Walk in The Park

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A Walk In The Park T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a

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GPS:	40.2655, -105.64137 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By:	Richard Rossiter on Oct 6, 2009
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

A Walk in the Park traverses the entire rim of Glacier Gorge. The rim is formed (clockwise) by Half Mountain, Storm Peak and Long's Peak on the east; Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda Mountain and Chief's Head Peak on the south; and by McHenrys Peak, Powell Peak and Thatchtop Mountain on the west. Spearhead and Arrowhead are satellite or island peaks within the rim of the gorge.

See Route A Walk In The Park for details.

Getting There

Begin from the Glacier Gorge Bus Stop (Trailhead) and follow the Glacier Gorge Trail toward Black Lake. A useful shortcut branches right from the main trail just after the 4th stream crossing (about .55 mile) and regains the main trail just east of the Loch Vale Junction. As soon as you cross the log bridge over Icy Brook, you are in Glacier Gorge, and you have gone too far. It is possible to hike along the south side of Icy Brook from here and find the path that leads to the Regular Route on Thatchtop Mountain. It is easier, however, to hike the Loch Vale Trail to a point where it draws near Icy Brook, descend a footpath, and cross the stream on a big log. Hike south through the woods and pick up a path that leads up and around the east side of the buttress with the winter ice climb Mixed Emotions. The path ends in a talus field. Angle up and right into a gully that leads through the upper cliff band, and arrive on the upper northeast ridge of Thatchtop.