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GPS: 40.18578, -105.33685
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 15,235 total · 23/month
Shared By: Richard M. Wright on Dec 31, 1969
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: MM 23-29.5 - now ended daily CO 7 highway closure/delays DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Observatory Rock is composed of typical, and excellent, SSV granite. The crag faces South and Southeast providing cool climbing in the afternoon. It presently hosts fewer than a dozen described routes, and some combination of guides is probably useful for orientation. I have found the Falcon Guide by Peter Hubbel to contain more route descriptions than other sources; however, much of this is misleading. For example, routes listed as 130 feet long have turned out to be more like 65 feet long (truly). Routes span the gamut in terms of difficulty with 5.7 and 5.8 trad or 5.12d sport, although there are not many at any grade. The crag is well worth a day's visit.

Getting There Suggest change

5.1 miles up the South Saint Vrain Canyon, via CO Highway 7, is a large pull-out on the right side of the road. This can be used for parking for Observatory Rock and the Narrows. Observatory Rock is directly above the parking and has a 5 minute approach.

Per Matt B: the nearby landowner believes this lies on his property, though NFS maps seem to contradict this. This crag should only be approached from the West to stay away from his property as much as possible. Keep a low profile.

14 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Observatory Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 35
Original Route
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 4
Stargazing
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 4
Flop, The
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Original Route
 35
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Stargazing
 4
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
Flop, The
 4
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
More Classic Climbs in Observatory Rock »

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