The Acrophile  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,908. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Matt Juth on Apr 17, 2004 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 86° | 55° 82° | 55° 81° | 46° 77° | 46° 72° | 41°

BETA PHOTO: The Acrophile from the West.

Description 

The Acrophile is one of the largest rocks in the SSV, and it is composed of some of the best rock in the canyon. It is a moderate trad climbers paradise with over 20 crack climbs ascending the southwest face. The routes range from 75 feet to 200 feet in length. The rock gets sun midday until late afternoon. Most routes are worthy of a star or two, with an amazing three star route thrown in. Two 100' rappels or a walkoff to the south are available

The rock's namesake is a wild 5.11 roof pulled via an offwidth. There are a couple other old routes; however, most were climbed recently by B. Gillett and friends.

Getting There 

The Acrophile sits high on the south side of the canyon just above a large paved pulloff with some picnic tables. It is approximately 7 miles from Lyons. If you reach the upper toilets, turn around and look for the massive rock a mile down canyon.

Access is typical SSV. The river can be crossed slightly upstream during low water with a boulder hop, or waded downstream (6" to 1.5' deep)during higher flows. Once across the river one can hike up the gully to the right until it is possible to cut up the hillside to the rock (brushy and Ivy), or go straight up the buttress through a break in the cliffs above the river (loose). Once on the buttress, some wandering down onto the south slope is needed to avoid cliff bands and boulders.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Acrophile

Lithophyte 5.10a  CO : Lyons : ... : The Acrophile

This climb ascends a left-facing crack system to a right-facing dihedral on the skyline when viewed from the base. The cracks at the bottom will improve if more traffic cleans up some of the grunge.The upper dihedral, however, is whistle clean. Getting established in it is the crux. Some fun mixed trad/bolted climbing follows to a two-bolt chain anchor. You can rap from there on a single rope to a ledge with easy down-climb options....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of The Acrophile Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: The west face and overhangs of The Acrophile. Lith...