Unknown Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  39.9676, -105.2948 Map Page Views:  207. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  neil chelton on May 20, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Off-trail permit required MORE INFO >>> You can obtain a free off-trail permit here: www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=vi>>> The formation is in Area 9 of the Western Mountain Parks. 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 Flatirons Climbing Council Preserving climbing access in the Flatirons

BETA PHOTO: Unknown Rock viewed from Bear Canyon.

Description 

This large, obscure formation is approximately 1/2 mile west of Seal Rock and 3/4 mile south of the Sacred Cliffs. It is not listed in the current Flatirons guidebook. The approach is difficult, and the rock quality is extremely poor. But if you have a youthful spirit of adventure, want to explore something unusual, and are interested in climbing an expanding chimney, then it's definitely worth a visit.

Getting There 

To get there: Follow the Mesa trail to the junction with Bear Canyon. Head West into Bear Canyon for about 1/2 mile. You will have walked past Overhang Rock, Poot Ridge, and the Sanctuary formations. Unknown Rock is the next large formation on the south side of Bear Canyon. An off-trail permit and bushwhacking are required to reach the base.

Featured Route For Unknown Rock

Chosspile Chimney 5.3 R  CO : Flatirons : ... : Unknown Rock

This adventure climb follows a series of mossy chimney systems filled with small trees and choss interspersed with terribly dangerous face climbing on brittle, exfoliating flakes covered in lichen. Upon arriving at the base (crux), you will be confronted with possibly the poorest rock quality in the whole Front Range. Make a few uncertain moves up loose, lichen-covered flakes to gain a ledge. From here, it is possible to see a mostly tree-less line of as...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO