Pulpit Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  7,600' Page Views:  1,649. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Aug 4, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 79° | 43° 77° | 43° 77° | 45° 75° | 43° 75° | 45°

Parking MORE INFO >>> This area has a tiny 14 car parking area. It often fills. You can park further back from the trailhead, but the opportunities are limited and add a good bit to the approach. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment MORE INFO >>> Sheep Mountain may have raptor closure issues. Please contact RMNP for further details. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

The Pulpit Rock massif.

Pulpit Rock is the pear-s...

Description 

This is an obvious rock at the trailhead which has avoided description on Mountainproject for quite a bit of time. From the trailhead, this massif of lower angle granite looms less than a quarter mile away. Local inquiries had just led to vague reports of possible ascents on this rock...mostly on the foreground, pear-shaped chunk of granite. Hardware found on the rock suggests ascents probably go back to the 1950s.

Well, there are plenty of opportunities for lower end difficulty adventures here. Much of the rock is significantly less than vertical. Often, the crack systems and protectable features are discontinuous. Some folks have taken to bolting some of the rock here, but don't expect much in the way of pure sport climbing. Still, this may be the shortest approach for multi-pitch climbing in Estes Park.

You can continue upwards to add to your adventure.

There are short routes & projects on the tiny rock, The Blob, to the left of Pulpit Rock.

The rock appears to be on National Forest Service land, but it is Comanche Wilderness.

Sadly, I report as of 5/14/13 that this rock is a site of the latest bolt war in Estes Park.

If anyone has more information, please let me know and I can add/correct information here.

L->R:

A. Tunnel Vision, 7 R, 1p, 180', gear.
B. Left Wing Communists, 9- PG-13, 1p, 200', gear.
C1. Anatomically Incorrect, 5 R, 1p, 190', gear.
C2. Wight Wing Wadicals, 5 R or 8, 1p, 190', gear.
D. Peachtree Street, 8+, 1p, 170', gear.
above D. Pillar, 8+ PG-13, 1p, gear.
above D. Offwidth, 1p, gear.
E. Project (3 Musketeers), 2-3p, bolts & gear.
F. Walk In The Park, 8+ PG-13, 2-3p, gear.
G. Pulpit Rock Left, 8+ PG-13, 3p, gear.
H. Delusions of Grandeur, 8+, 2-3p, gear.
I or J1. Griff-Orama, 8 R, gear.
J2. Tiptoe Through The Tulips, 8+, 1p, 80', TR.
J3. Shroom Groove, 8+, 1p, TR.
J4. Judy's and Ellie's Grand Night Out, 8+ R, 3p, 360', gear.
K1. Vegetative Estate , 10, 1p, 55', TR.
K2. Garden Party, 11-, 1p, 55', TR.
L. Preacher's Chair, project, 11?, 2p, 140', gear.
M. Praying Hands, 10+, 2p, 400', gear.
N. Old Pin Route, 9 PG-13, 2p, 300', gear & pins.
O. Simply Irresistible, 9 R, 3-4p, gear.
P. Right Side, 8+ PG-13, 2-3p, 300', gear.

Getting There 

From Estes Park, head east past the Lumpy Ridge trailhead past Alligator Rock and take the dirt rock to McGraw Ranch trailhead.

From east of Estes Park, head up US 36 to Mall Rd., just east of Lake Estes. Go north on Mall Rd. to US 34. Go west briefly on US 34 to Dry Gulch Rd. Go north on Dry Gulch until it Ts. Take a left (west). Go west briefly on Devil's Gulch Rd to the turn for McGraw Ranch.

There is a sign that can indicate the trailhead is full. There is only room for 14 cars there. Please park closely to other cars or the volunteer rangers may leave notes about being selfish on your windowshield.

There is a cairned path that goes east of the easternmost barn in a near beeline path to the base of Pulpit Rock. You can access some of the western edge of the massif off the North Boundary trail which veers northward shortly after the start towards Sheep Mountain/Bridalveil trail.

Descents 

There is a 2 bolt anchor left of the obvious chimney splitting the left-center of the rock. There are no chains, slings, or links on the hangers. It appears folks thread these hangers, but they are not Metolius rap hangers. It's a 35-40 rappel from these bolts. You might be able to downclimb a wide crack and angle right to avoid the overhang at the base...it you were so inspired.

There is a sling around/under a large boulder from just right of the chimney. It's probably <50 feet to rappel to walking terrain. Please check the sling entirely to make sure no rodents have eaten through it.

You hike down easily to the easy from the base of the rappels.

Land Management 

This massif appears to be on Comanche Wilderness land, so power drills are not allowed. Also, they prefer camoflauged hangers.

The Classics

Featured Route For Pulpit Rock

Garden Party 5.11b  CO : Estes Park Valley : ... : Pulpit Rock

This is a newer bolted line from 2012? near the nadir of Pulpit Rock. It is fun and a nice route to add a bit of mileage at the beginning or end of your day up there.It starts as for Vegetative State, clipping its first 3 bolts. Then it goes straight up with the crux section starting as you clip the 4th bolt (which seems to have been removed as of 5/14/13). Pay attention to your left foot holds, as that seems to be the crux. This has some nice stem positions for clipping. The d...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Pulpit Rock Slideshow

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The far left side of Pulpit Rock.	The left side from closer up.	Center face of Pulpit Rock. It's not clear if the...
The right side of Pulpit Rock. There have been as...	Some of the west-facing rock near Pulpit Rock from...	Bud tries Peachtree Street.