The Catacomb

Description 

The Catacomb, like its parallel neighbor The Vestibule, is a passageway, an alley of sorts, between the amazing rock formations of the Monastery. Unlike its neighbor, the Catacomb has a wider, open feel. A central path winds its way down the surreal forest with the Boneyard, a spaceship landed in the forest, as its left margin, and the more Needles-like Sepulcher formation forming its right margin.

Getting There 

The Catacomb is easily found when arriving to the Monastery by turning right and uphill just before the Guardian on the main path. This right turn is after the left-hand downhill turn that leads to the Outer Gates. Once surmounting a highpoint, the trail descends into the gap made by the Boneyard rock formation on the left and The Sepulcher formation on the right.

One can also access the Catacomb from below, following a path that originates from the Outer Gates, climbs past the Vestibule corridor and the Boneyard formation. The trail then ascends into the Catacomb.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Catacomb

Crack a Smile 5.12a  CO : Estes Park Valley : ... : The Catacomb

Stellar mixed line. Rock reminiscent of Vestibule near Psychotomic. Located on the East side of the Catacomb, also across from Gravestone and Mausoleum - and just downhill from Contortionist's Forte. I started from the blocks and flakes, although the crack could be climbed to this same point. Standing on the block one can place a nut to protect the move to the first fixed gear. Climb past four (as of 6/6/04) pieces of fixed gear (leave em) o...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO