All Locations > Colorado > Golden > Lookout Mtn Rd > Tiers of Zion

Lower Tier Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Lower Tier

A. East Wall 8 / 6 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 14

B. Recessed Slab 5 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8

C. Middle and West Walls 5 / 6 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 11

D. Judah 3 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

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Elevation:	6,000 ft
GPS:	39.74396, -105.24329 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	129,852 total · 1,175/month
Shared By:	Josh on Mar 26, 2015 · Updates
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

The Lower Tier is larger than it appears from the parking area - the bottom 2/3 of all the walls are hidden in the trees. It is broken into several sections, with an upper face perched above the East Wall and the Recessed Slab on the left side. This upper face allows for a few high-quality 2-pitch routes. Many of the climbs at the Lower Tiers are characterized by low cruxes. In some cases, the crux is just getting off the ground....

The Lower Tier gets direct sun only in the afternoons, but in the summer, the sun can break over the ridge line above at midday and shine directly down the lines of ascent, making it hard to look up at your next holds when you're climbing or at your partner above you when you're belaying. It is a bit of an annoyance, but the effect only lasts for an hour or so.

The Lower Tier has a narrow strip of terrain that hugs the base of the walls, but after that the ground drops off steeply. Thus, it is not the safest place for bringing small children.

Getting There

From the main parking area (on the switchback) described on the main page for the Tiers of Zion, cross the road, and follow the trail starting at the wag bag station. The trail crosses the open slope, enters the trees, and then ascends to the base of the Lower Tier, arriving at the start of Buffalo Soldier, on the left end of the Middle Wall. Be cautious - this is exactly where one of the area's rattlesnakes has been seen on several occasions.

Click

for an overview photo.

If you are at the Lower Tiers and want to go the Upper, it is best to walk back on the main trail to the junction, rather than scrambling directly to the base of the Upper Tier. That terrain is steep and loose and threatens the main trail with rockfall.

Rattlesnake warning!

Note, there was a rattlesnake right on the trail just below the climbs as you approach!

36 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

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Classic Climbing Routes at Lower Tier

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c 86 ● Trenchtown Sport A. E Wall
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 217 ● Irie Sport A. E Wall
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 226 ● The Burning Bush Sport A. E Wall
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 206 ● Don't Rock My Boat Sport 2 pitches B. Recessed Slab
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 45 ● Irreducible Complexity Sport B. Recessed Slab
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 108 ● Beauty for Ashes Sport A. E Wall
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 109 ● The Belay Brothers Bounce Back Trad C. Middle & W Walls
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 334 ● Three Little Birds Sport C. Middle & W Walls
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b 98 ● Zion Train Sport 2 pitches A. E Wall
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 174 ● Buffalo Soldier Sport C. Middle & W Walls
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b 25 ● Rivers of Babylon Sport A. E Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 140 ● Old Pirates Sport C. Middle & W Walls
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c 28 ● Good Tidings Sport C. Middle & W Walls
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 39 ● Small Axe Sport C. Middle & W Walls
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b 4 ● Please Pick Up Your Trash Trad C. Middle & W Walls