Rapids Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,194. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Matt Juth on Sep 11, 2003 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 91° | 59° 90° | 54° 88° | 55° 84° | 50° 88° | 52°

BETA PHOTO: Rapids Rock from the road.

Description 

'Rapids Rock' is the buttress across from the Narrows and up the canyon another 100 feet. The rock is typical SSV ganite with discontinuous cracks and a little foliage. The rock is very solid compared to some formations in the area. Guided by Voices is the principle attraction, with a few new lines on the way. This is a traditional rock. Drills are not welcome except for the anchors to get down (even those are done to a minimum).

Eds. note Mechanical Man is the formation just downstream from Rapids Rock. It appears on pages 179 & 185 of B. Gillett's excellent 2009 S. St. Vrain guidebook.

Getting There 

Drive up the SSV. After passing The Narrows, you will note the rock off to your left and a pulloff just past.

To access, boulder hop just up stream from the formation or wade across much furthur upstream. The boulder hop is a little intimidating if the water is not at its lowest level (long jumps over fast water!). To gain the top, walk up the gully on the right side (lots of poison ivy!). We eventually got fed up with the gully and fourth classed up a crack system on the west wall to escape the ivy. Descend the same way or get creative with rapping.

The Classics

Featured Route For Rapids Rock

The Enthusiast aka Guided by Voices 5.9+  CO : Lyons : ... : Rapids Rock

This is an excellent route. It is the first line I ever noticed driving up the canyon. The approach is short but undesireable which detracts a little from the quality, but this is the SSV! I give it three stars comparing it to other routes in the SSV canyon. Less if you compare it to Boulder Canyon but....From the top of Rapids Rock, you can reach the lone bolt on top by walking toward the river, and stepping around and down a few piled boulders. Back up the bolt with a meduim hex or larger Cama...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Rapids Rock Slideshow

Add Photo

Cale traversing to the start of Rapids Rock.	Tom getting ready to rock the first pitch!	Bobby rippin' up the traverse to the start.
Doug's first climb!! What a killer way to start of...	Cale starting the first pitch.	Philly loving every bit of it!! Yeah, buddy!
A view just over the crux of the first pitch.