The Crystal Tower  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  7,686. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Richard M. Wright on Jan 1, 2001 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 53° | 36° 63° | 39° 64° | 43° 68° | 45° 70° | 48°

Pointing to Roof on Skippin' Stones. Great rock, g...

Description 

The Crystal Tower is substantially taller than Primo and presently hosts seven fine climbs including the best moderate warm-up in the area. The rock is typical of Clear Creek Canyon with none of the occasional soft rock found in some places. A bit of pegmatite can be found here and there on most routes. Presently, all of the routes can be done with a 60 m rope.

Getting There 

From The Primo Wall, just continue hiking East. The Crystal Tower is approximately 100 feet East of the last routes on Primo Wall just after a grassy drainage. There is frequently a Tyrolean Traverse set up just below The Crystal Tower. Unfortunately, like most Clear Creek Tyroleans, those that access Primo, The Crystal Tower, The Armory, and the new crag above The Armory - are frequently chopped. So, approach The Crystal Tower as you would for Primo, via the long hike from the bridge or via the Tyrolean. One can usually see the Tyrolean from the parking across the river from Primo.

L->R: 

A. Project, ?, 1p?
B. Mineral Museum, 9+, 75', 1p, bolts.
C. Quartz Sports, 12, 1p, 80', bolts.
D. Hot Rocks, 12, 1p, bolts.
E. Skippin' Stones, 11, 1p, 65', bolts.
F. 12+, 1p.
G. Cornered Again, 11-, 1p, 70', bolts.
H. Crystallize, 12, 1p, 70', bolts.
I? Unknown, 1p, bolts.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Crystal Tower

Skippin' Stones 5.11b/c  CO : Golden : ... : The Crystal Tower

Skippin' Stones starts just right of Quartz Sports on a nice face below a large-ish overhang. The whole route is easier than it looks. Follow 5 bolts up the face (5.9) to a good shake under the 45 degree roof. Get started under the roof and twist through the crux at bolt 7. Use some monstrous jugs to finish the overhang (.10) and hit the anchor.This route features a high concentration of steel (more bolts than I usually place, especially through the roof...), so it feels super s...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

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Tyrol'n ain't easy! Haha - the way back is harder ...