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Sleeping Rock aka Sheep's Nose Bouldering

Colorado > S Platte > W Creek

Description

Essentially at the base of the Sheep's Nose formation there are an abundance of wonderful boulders. I have spent some significant time working some of these problems and have only ever seen a handful of people around. This is probably not a year round location due to summers being extremely hot; however, I have bouldered here on sunny January days.

Edit:2/26/09 I have listed the boulders in a generic mode of A,B,etc. They may be listed as other names or numbers in other books. If anyone out there has any historical info on names and such I would be glad to update. Plus, I enjoy historical info on areas. Thanks!

Getting There

Follow the directions to the Sheep's Nose formation. Once you turn right on Stump Rd. (0.8 miles from CO-67), drive 1.8 miles to a signed dirt parking area on the left side of the road. To avoid a ticket, park only in designated spots out in the forest, meaning that for Sheep Nose, this is the lot (link to the parking spot). There is a wash/dry creek bed across the road from the parking area. Walk up this until the trail obviously leads right and uphill to the formation. (The edit is courtesy of Isaac Palatt).

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Thanking the Dino for another good day of bouldering.
[Hide Photo] Thanking the Dino for another good day of bouldering.
Stephen working on the Air Jordan boulder with an awesome view of Pike's Peak in the background.
[Hide Photo] Stephen working on the Air Jordan boulder with an awesome view of Pike's Peak in the background.
A tough problem called "Respect Your Elders" up the hill from the Big Air Boulder. When the Springs locals used to do the annual competition, this was one of the harder problems. V7-V8?
[Hide Photo] A tough problem called "Respect Your Elders" up the hill from the Big Air Boulder. When the Springs locals used to do the annual competition, this was one of the harder problems. V7-V8?
Tyson H.
[Hide Photo] Tyson H.
Middle problem on the Air Jordan Boulder (V4).<br> photo by Andy Librande
[Hide Photo] Middle problem on the Air Jordan Boulder (V4). photo by Andy Librande
The Dinosaur Head Boulder just entering the bouldering area.
[Hide Photo] The Dinosaur Head Boulder just entering the bouldering area.
Ahh yes, lots of rock.
[Hide Photo] Ahh yes, lots of rock.
Another great day in the Platte.
[Hide Photo] Another great day in the Platte.
Studying sloper-science at the base of Sheep's Nose.
[Hide Photo] Studying sloper-science at the base of Sheep's Nose.
There is now a downed tree across the trail right where it heads up the hill.
[Hide Photo] There is now a downed tree across the trail right where it heads up the hill.
Walk up the right side of the wash on a faint trail.
[Hide Photo] Walk up the right side of the wash on a faint trail.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Stefan Doucette
[Hide Comment] I've also heard these boulders called the Dinosaur Head Boulders. Mar 9, 2008
Kevin McLaughlin
Colorado Springs
[Hide Comment] This area is called "Sleeping Rock" Named so , obviously for the little fellow snoozing just off of the trail on the way to the boulders . Many toprope anchors are found here. Lots of good problems as well . We used to hold a community camp out/ party/bouldering get together at this spot . A great place to get the locals together . The Springs has a good group of folks within . Feb 8, 2009
Christopher Jones
Denver, Colorado
[Hide Comment] This is one of the best bouldering spots in the Platte. A lot of problems very close together. There are a lot of problems and variations that have not been posted that are in the easy to moderate range. Have fun. Jul 22, 2010
Hans Hoffman
D'iberville, MS
[Hide Comment] Look... I love bouldering outdoors...but this is not the place to make a day trip out to. The quality of problems are extremely poor (except for the Air Jordan Block) and not worth your time. Honestly, Ute Valley has better bouldering.

And for those of you still wanting to go... CO Rd 67 & 68 are very nice dirt roads (you could drive a Mercedes on them). Happy bouldering! Jun 5, 2011
Not Not MP Admin
The OASIS
[Hide Comment] Hans must be either gatekeeping or looking in the wrong place if he think this place is comparable to Ute Valley. Definitely worth a day trip for anyone interested in climbing V1-3 or V6-9….there are also a couple double digit boulders in the area. Iykyk Jan 10, 2022
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Lex
[Hide Comment] JT,

Maybe he meant Ute Pass? I can see an argument for Ute Pass having better boulders….but not Ute Valley. Jan 16, 2022