This area is posted as “closed for hunting” Dec 1 – Jan 31 not because the area is actually being hunted but because it is a possible access point to the Centennial Cone area, which is. There is no hunter access through this gulch and the only danger to climbers is in the form of a ticket from an open space ranger.
BETA PHOTO: This is a picture of the climb from about half way...
Description
This is not a reliable destination due to the closures (see access issues) and the fact that it is south-facing and receives full sun all day. This means it comes in and out depending on the weather and doesn't come in at all some years. It only freezes up after several days of cloudy skies and very cold temps. When in, this area consists of 110 feet of WI 2 or 3, depending on the quality of the ice, which makes it a great beginner lead area. It can also be top roped via a scramble up and around to the right or hike up and scramble (or rappel from a tree) down from the left. Anchor and rappel off the tree at the top of the climb, a 70m rope is a must. Two of the best things about this area are: that you can't see or hear the road and I've never ran into another climber. There is also some great dry tooling available on both sides, but rock pro is extremely thin so you are probably better off doing this on top rope. If you find it in, have fun, but swing lightly, since it doesn't continue to fatten up all winter like the shady climbs. Everything you knock down limits the next climber that comes along.
Getting There
Use the pullout, on the North side of US Highway 6, for the Mayhem Gulch trail. This is about 3 miles West (up canyon) from Tunnel 3 or 2 miles east (down canyon) of the junction of US 6 and CO 119. The climbing area is about a 10 minute hike up Mayhem creek. Do not take the Mayhem Gulch hiker/biker trail.
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