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Elevation: 7,251 ft
GPS: 39.9983, -105.413
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Page Views: 55,003 total · 195/month
Shared By: Zach Roth on Dec 31, 2000
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Closures 2024 - Bitty Buttress, Eagle Rock, Blob, Security Risk DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The Watermark is a small west-facing crag just above the creek, between Avalon and Vampire Rock. It is a cool spot to climb on a hot summer day. Moderate sport routes with slabs and a few roofs characterize the climbing here.

Many of these routes are around 5.8 and are good for first outside leads. Bring a 60m rope, because two routes in the middle of the crag need it (Memory of Trees and Road to Isengard).

The routes L->R:

A. Dark Tower, 6, 1p, trad. Arete.
B1. Twin Cracks Left, 9-, 1p, 85', bolts & gear.
B2. Twin Peaks, 10-, 1p, 90', bolts.
B3. Twin Cracks Right, 9-, 1p, 90', bolts & gear.
C. Glennevere, 8, 1p, 65', bolts. Slab, overhang, & headwall.
D. The Memory of Trees, 9, 1p, 100', bolts. Slab to overhangs.
E. Road to Isengard, 7, 1p, 100', bolts.
F. Minas Tireth, 10-, 1p, 60', bolts. Slab to overhang.
G. Second Breakfast, 5 PG-13, 1p, 85', gear.
H. Lothlorien, 8, 1p, 80', bolts. Center of slab.

Getting There Suggest change

On the left side of the road, across the creek, about 100' above the creek. As you are going up Boulder Canyon it is between Avalon and Vampire Rock.

Park at the small pullout for Avalon at 8.2 miles on the right, or continue up to the larger pullout for the Boulderado and Animal World at 8.4 miles on the left. If you park at the Avalon pullout, cross the road and walk 45 yards upstream to the Avalon Tyrolean. If you park at the upper pullout, you'll have to walk downstream about 300 yards to reach the crag.

There are several ways to cross the creek to reach the crag:

1. Cross the creek using the Avalon Tyrolean, then head upstream (right) across the talus to a climber's path which leads to the crag.

2. If the water level is low enough, cross the creek using a handline which may be present a little ways upstream from the crag.

3. If the water level is really low, cross the creek at a convenient spot below the crag and find a climber's path up the hill to the crag.

Trails

Suggest change
Please stay on trails when wandering about at this crag. The popularity of this crag has led to erosion of unforseen magnitude. There is now a trail going eastward above the cliff to connect with Avalon at the Second Tier level. Hard work on the part of concerned climbers has helped mitigate this erosion. Thanks!

10 Total Climbs

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Location: The Watermark Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Watermark

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 273
Lothlorien
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 255
Road to Isengard
Sport
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 33
Twin Cracks Left
Trad, Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 296
The Memory of Trees
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 169
Twin Peaks
Sport, TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Lothlorien
 273
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Road to Isengard
 255
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Twin Cracks Left
 33
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Trad, Sport
The Memory of Trees
 296
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Twin Peaks
 169
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport, TR
More Classic Climbs in The Watermark »

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