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: 6,721 ft
GPS: 38.63117, -105.22141
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 363,090 total · 1,227/month
Shared By: Richard M. Wright on Nov 29, 1999 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

Situated directly above the hairpin is one of the most obvious cliff bands at Shelf Road. Cactus Cliff faces South-Southwest, gets great sun, and can be climbed most of the year. The rock is typical of Shelf Road in general and reminds me of The Gallery. Cactus Cliff is home to several fine lines, although the trend in difficulty is a bit less than at The Gymnasium. Development, which has slowed to a tectonic crawl in recent years. However, in the winter months, Shelf Road can be the only option available, short of Mexico, so it is still worth keeping in mind and Cactus Cliff is always worth a mid-winter romp.

Cactus Cliff is now hands down the most well-rounded sport crag in Colorado, including at least one route of every grade from 5.7 to 5.14a.

Getting There Suggest change

Please park in the newly expanded parking area at The Bank Campground.

There is a new trail leading to Cactus Cliffs from The Bank. This is now the fastest, most convenient way to approach the area. The trail was built in August by the Rocky Mountain Field Institute with the help of AmeriCorps volunteers and a grant from the Access Fund. It is approximately 1.5 miles long.

PLEASE DO NOT PARK ALONG SHELF ROAD.
For more information contact BLM at 719-269-8500 Thank you for your cooperation.

APPROACH DESCRIPTION: From the new parking area by The Bank Camground, follow the road NW towards The Bank for ~100yds. Pickup the trail on the right side of the road that descends into the canyon. Follow this trail for ~5 minutes, crossing the canyon bottom, and passing below the 2150 Wall, to a terminus at the road that heads up above Cactus Cliff (this road was the former approach to Cactus). Turn left and follow the road uphill towards Cactus. Continue along the road as it banks hard right, passing the new toilet. Where the trail banks left, continue east, passing signage, along a well maintained trail that traverses Cactus Cliff.

Reorganization

Suggest change

We reorganized this 150+ route cliff into subareas to help with finding routes more easily. Obviously, we picked some well-known climbs for dividing the cliff into subareas. While not perfect, at least these division points should be better recognized. If necessary, we can adjust this in the future. Thanks for your understanding.

160 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Cactus Cliff Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Cactus Cliff

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 747
Crynoid Corner
Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 593
LaCholla Jackson
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 582
Dihedrus
Sport
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 357
Three-Quarter Ton
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 386
Blackman's Burden
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 428
Funkdemental
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 279
I Claudius
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 581
Muscle Beach
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 295
I Lean
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 246
Illegal Smile
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 402
Lats Don't Have Feelings
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 214
Gravitations
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 213
Hot Beach
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 146
Tits Up
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 132
The French Are Here
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Crynoid Corner A. Cactus Cliff Far L…
 747
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
LaCholla Jackson E Cactus Cliff Far Ri…
 593
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Dihedrus B. Cactus Cliff Left…
 582
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Three-Quarter Ton A. Cactus Cliff Far L…
 357
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Blackman's Burden A. Cactus Cliff Far L…
 386
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Funkdemental E Cactus Cliff Far Ri…
 428
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
I Claudius E Cactus Cliff Far Ri…
 279
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Muscle Beach B. Cactus Cliff Left…
 581
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
I Lean E Cactus Cliff Far Ri…
 295
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Illegal Smile A. Cactus Cliff Far L…
 246
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Lats Don't Have Feelings B. Cactus Cliff Left…
 402
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Gravitations B. Cactus Cliff Left…
 214
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Hot Beach B. Cactus Cliff Left…
 213
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Tits Up B. Cactus Cliff Left…
 146
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
The French Are Here B. Cactus Cliff Left…
 132
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Cactus Cliff »

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

loading