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: 6,741 ft
GPS: 40.44204, -105.34428
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 57,407 total · 216/month
Shared By: Tyler Jones on May 20, 2002 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Access issue - Monastery, Cedar Park, Combat Rock, etc.? DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This south-facing 250-foot crag is a perfect spot to spend a day in the sun. With great quality granite, Combat Rock offers an assortment of discontinuous cracks, friction on the slabs, and a few roofs to jug over. Combat Rock would also be a great place to combine in a trip to Lumpy or anywhere else in the RMNP, since it's located between Loveland and Estes Park just outside the Big Thompson Canyon. It's not far off of US Hwy 34, has a short approach, and consists of mainly one and two-pitch climbs, so the crag can easily be hit in the morning or late afternoon for a few hours. You need to be creative with the protection here. Other than the bolted faces, the flaring cracks can be difficult to get a good piece in. You will only need a small rack, consisting mainly of wired stoppers, CAMP Tri-cams, and small cams up to a #1 Camalot or #2 Friend. There are a couple of routes, such as the second pitch of Diagonal, that you will need a couple of #2 Camalots for the fist jams.

It's also a good idea to bring two ropes, as most of the rappels are around 150 feet if you continue past the first pitch. There is walk-off descent, but it's definitely a hassle and takes longer than a couple back-to-back rappels.

Getting There Suggest change

From Denver, take I-25 north to the Loveland exit. Head west on US 34 (Eisenhower Blvd. in Loveland) for about 17 miles through the Big Thompson Canyon. Exit at the intersection of Drake, and take a right onto Devil's Gulch Road. After a half mile, take another right onto Storm Mountain Rd. (which used to be called Cedar Park Rd. and labeled "Forest Access)." Follow the dirt road through some steep switchbacks for about a mile until Combat Rock is very apparent across the gulch. There's plenty of parking at a pulloff on the north side of the road. From the road, follow a path down into the gulch and up the other side directly to the base of the crag. It is only about a 10-minute approach.

From Boulder, take the Diagonal CO Hwy 119 to Longmont, and head north on Main St, which turns into US Hwy 287. US 287 will make an abrupt 90-degree right turn to the east at the Carter Lake turnoff in the town of Berthoud. I think the easiest way is to take your first left at the light and head north on Country Rd. 7. This heads straight into Loveland where you can take your left on Eisenhower Dr (US 34) and follow it into the mountains.

31 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Combat Rock Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Combat Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 93
Rambo Santa
Sport
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c PG13
 21
Old Bolt Route
Trad, Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 51
Tree Roof
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c R
 18
Camouflage
Trad 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 107
Diagonal
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 34
GI Joe Does Barbie
Trad, Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 33
No More War
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 50
Arkansas Patriot (aka Wonderin'…
Trad, Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 25
Nuclear Polka
Trad 2 pitches
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b PG13
 17
Eight Clicks to Saigon
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 29
Saigon to Pearl Harbor
Trad 2 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 25
Lizzard Warrior
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 24
Pearl Harbor
Trad, Sport, TR 2 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 13
Across Enemy Lines
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 4
Blood for Oil
Sport 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Rambo Santa
 93
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Old Bolt Route
 21
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c PG13 Trad, Sport
Tree Roof
 51
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Camouflage
 18
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c R Trad 2 pitches
Diagonal
 107
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 2 pitches
GI Joe Does Barbie
 34
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, Sport
No More War
 33
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Arkansas Patriot (aka Wonde…
 50
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, Sport
Nuclear Polka
 25
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Eight Clicks to Saigon
 17
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b PG13 Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Saigon to Pearl Harbor
 29
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Lizzard Warrior
 25
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Pearl Harbor
 24
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad, Sport, TR 2 pitches
Across Enemy Lines
 13
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Blood for Oil
 4
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport 2 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Combat Rock »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

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