Main Canyon  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  3,167. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Richard M. Wright on Nov 30, 1999 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 75° | 36° 77° | 37° 75° | 37° 75° | 37° 75° | 39°

Jay V - climber; pic by Julie V.
Cutting...

Description 

The Main Canyon at Witches Canyon hosts over 50 routes all between 30 and 50 ft in height. Climbing starts shortly past the parking area with each of the side canyons hosting numerous routes. The Main Canyon is well forested and the shade afforded can be welcome when things are really cooking in Penitente. Difficulty in the Main Canyon spans the gamut from 5.8 to 5.13 and is usually on the fine grained tuffa found in Penitente itself. Scattered within the sport routes are numerous trad cracks, so bringing the rack is often a good option. Route numbering follows Bob D'Antonio's guide and begins with "Drug Test" as # 9 and follows sequentially up the canyon.

Getting There 

About 100 yards past Lung for Jesus is a parking area with a small canyon on the right and the main canyon straight ahead. Several small drainages enter the main canyon from the right.

The Classics

Featured Route For Main Canyon

Witches Eye aka Witching Hour? 5.11a  CO : San Luis Valley : ... : Main Canyon

The crux is at the bottom, climb to the chains, or better yet continue through the "eye" and top out. Awesome route. It can go with gear....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO