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Elevation: 7,149 ft
GPS: 40.16875, -105.37301
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 40,115 total · 220/month
Shared By: Matt Richardson on Mar 23, 2009 · Updates
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

The Coliseum lies in the midst of a collection of crags referred to as The Talus Fields in Bernard Gillett's new guide. Climbs on The Coliseum itself are north-facing and lay in the shade throughout most of the day making this an excellent summer crag. Established climbs on this feature range from about 5.7 to 5.11 and contain a mixture of traditional protection and bolts. Most routes top out at about 200' and have bolted belay stations.

Although this wall contains some quality climbs, the traffic appears to be limited. This may be due to the longer approach or because of quality walls located nearer to Lyons. Despite being only a 15 to 20 min hike from the road, this wall has a more wild feel - on any one climb, you may find loose rock, lichen and bushy vegetation. But, as Gillett points out, this is just the entry fee for all new routes (most of these routes were established around 2001 and 2002).

Getting There Suggest change

To get there, park at the pullout located approximately 7.9 miles from Lyons on the south side of the road. This pullout resides on a curve in the road and is 0.2 miles [up] the road from the Upper Rest Area (also located on the south side of the road). The Coliseum will not be visible from the pullout. According to Gillett, you should travel about 50 yards up the road and cross near some grey boulders, just above which will be located a cairn marking the start of a "well marked trail" that actually runs between another formation (The Arch of Titus) and The Coliseum. The well marked trail consists of downed branches forming a little path and some cairns (not entirely as obvious as the description would suggest as there are downed branches everywhere). About 200' up the trail, the trail will split - take the left branch toward the now obvious talus field across a ravine. I also found that, being a bumbler, one could also just kind of hack their way up the ravine itself after crossing the river toward the talus field. Either way, once at the base of the talus field the wall should be apparent and one can either traverse the talus itself or cross under the field to approach the wall. With the former option, keep your partners prone to trundling below you as the talus is loose and it is not unlikely that one could knock off fair size block if one is not careful.

Mountain Lion Alert

Suggest change
Good-sized mountain lions have been seen in the area.

10 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Coliseum Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Coliseum

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 119
Handcrack-a-rete
Trad 2 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 21
Planetary Pull
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 86
Unleash The Lions
Trad 2 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 27
The Lion's Face
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 97
Hollow Man
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 18
Vrainavore
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 42
Lost in Time
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 67
Ionic Column
Trad, Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 18
Gladiator
Trad 3 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Handcrack-a-rete
 119
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 2 pitches
Planetary Pull
 21
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Unleash The Lions
 86
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 2 pitches
The Lion's Face
 27
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Hollow Man
 97
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Vrainavore
 18
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Lost in Time
 42
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Ionic Column
 67
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Sport
Gladiator
 18
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 3 pitches
More Classic Climbs in The Coliseum »

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