The Catacomb  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  10,770. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Michael Walker on May 27, 2002 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 75° | 46° 75° | 43° 75° | 43° 70° | 41° 66° | 43°

Eric leads up Hot Zone.

Description 

The Catacomb, like its parallel neighbor The Vestibule, is a passageway, an alley of sorts, between the amazing rock formations of the Monastery. Unlike its neighbor, the Catacomb has a wider, open feel. A central path winds its way down the surreal forest with the Boneyard, a spaceship landed in the forest, as its left margin, and the more Needles-like Sepulcher formation forming its right margin.

Getting There 

The Catacomb is easily found when arriving to the Monastery by turning right and uphill just before the Guardian on the main path. This right turn is after the left-hand downhill turn that leads to the Outer Gates. Once surmounting a highpoint, the trail descends into the gap made by the Boneyard rock formation on the left and The Sepulcher formation on the right.

One can also access the Catacomb from below, following a path that originates from the Outer Gates, climbs past the Vestibule corridor and the Boneyard formation. The trail then ascends into the Catacomb.

Route Order 

Routes here are ordered in L to R fashion as one would approach heading down the hill along the Boneyard cliff, then moving west, and climbing back up the hill along the Sepulcher.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Catacomb

The Hot Zone 5.9-  CO : Estes Park Valley : ... : The Catacomb

A Monastery classic. Located about halfway up the SE corner of the Boneyard formation, the climb begins on a secluded, dramatic shelf perched above the valley floor. The views are to die for - on the ground and on the route. A bouldery start leads to continuous, inspiring climbing just right of the sharp SE arête. Access to the climb is via a small shelf on the lower end of the Boneyard, found on the Catacomb trail. Look for a bolt route (Saint Sixtus Scoop, 5.10b) which starts ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO