The Sacred Cliffs  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  12,089. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Richard M. Wright on Jul 27, 2001 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Some crags in this area are closed 1 February to 31 July: MORE INFO >>> The following crags are closed 1 February to 31 July: First Pinnacle (Gregory Canyon) Second Pinnacle (Gregory Canyon) Third Pinnacle (Gregory Canyon) Third Flatiron Queen Anne's Head WC Fields Pinnacle The Ghetto East Ironing Board West Ironing Board The Fin Green Thumb Jaws Details www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&>;&g>>> This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

BETA PHOTO: Sacred Cliffs from Bear Canyon (looking north-east...

Description 

While not awe-inspiring, The Sacred Cliffs comprise numerous sandstone blocks and buttresses that form the North-South ridge line of Green Mountain. The rock climbs a lot like Eldorado or Mickey Mouse. Over the last decade close to 50 routes have been installed, without coming close to tapping the full potential of the area. These span the gamut from full trad to fully bolt protected.

Most routes are short, with the longer ones running 100 ft and many topping out after 40 to 50 ft, however, at least one two pitch route was established, and it is 140 ft overall. Difficulty largely runs into double digits, although some fine routes can be found at 5.9 or easier. Nearly all of the routes face due West and get great sun from noon until sunset. First ascent data is difficult to come by. I was introduced to the area by Joe Desimone more than ten years ago, and he has established many of the better lines on The Sacred Cliffs. Greg Hand and Ray Snead put up some of routes about the time Joe was doing so. Other contributors will be identified as is possible.

Numbering of rocks and routes begins from the North end of the hill with Name Game Rock and route #1, Close to The Edge. The approach via the Green Mountain West Ridge Trail is moderate, gaining only 200 to 300 vertical ft, and takes not longer than 20 minutes from the car.

Getting There 

The best approach to The Sacred Cliffs is from the West. Take Base Line road out of Boulder for several miles until just before the West plateau, approximately one mile West of the Green Mountain summit ridge. Parking can be had on the roadside near a rough four-wheel road that runs into the housing. Follow this road East, passing several houses, until a poorly marked trail departs due East. Take the trail, The Green Mountain West Ridge Trail, for 3/4 mile. This will deposit you at the North end of the mountain near the true summit (8144ft). Climbing begins several yards South of the summit.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Sacred Cliffs

Catchin' Rays 5.10b  CO : Boulder : ... : Pebble Beach

Older style sport climb (meaning you are doing interesting moves above the bolts) with challenging opening moves to the 1st bolt and then continuous thin edging and pebble pinching. Intimidating runout after 3rd bolt but a hidden ledge halfway to the anchors eases your fears. Good intro to the face climbing to be found on this rock....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

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Great bouldering at the Sacred Cliffs, photo: Bob ...

Scooter, V6.