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Rifle Arch Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Rifle Arch

Above the Slab 2

In Between Slab 1

Mitten Slab 2

Pothole Rock 2

Slab Routes 6

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Elevation:	6,459 ft	1,969 m
GPS:	39.62992, -107.81512 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	32,537 total · 150/month
Shared By:	dannys on Jul 6, 2007
Admins:	Alvaro Arnal, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Rifle Arch is an excellent cool/cold weather crag 7 miles north of the town of Rifle. The 500 foot high, sandstone slabs soak up the sun for most of the day making it one of the better winter cragging options in this area. The rock is generally low-angled and featured with bulges and smooth, sandy slabs comprising the main challenges of the moderate climbs found here (most climbs check in at 5.4 to 5.10). The routes range from 50 to 500+ feet in length on varying quality rock and are almost entirely bolt protected. Twelve draws, a handful of slings, two ropes and a little discretion on what and what not to pull on is all you will need for a day at the Arch.

Getting There

Drive north out of the town of Rifle on CO Hwy 13 for 7 miles. Just past mile marker 7, there is a pulloff on the right with a gated BLM trail that leads to the Arch. Follow this obvious trail for about 25 minute of mostly easy walking until you get to a set of log benches by the trail. You will be close to the arch and walls at this point. Bushwhack left off of the trail at the benches heading towards the varnished walls. An intermittent trail leads along the base of these walls, passing the climbs as you go.

13 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Rifle Arch

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 8 ● Methane Mic Sport Slab Routes
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 13 ● Jimboliar Sport Slab Routes
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 4 ● 3.14 Sport Slab Routes
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 4 ● The Ridge Route (submitted as Th… Sport 3 pitches In Between Slab
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 4 ● Opcion Dos Sport Above the Slab
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 25 ● Mitten Slab AKA Arm and Hammer Sport 5 pitches Mitten Slab
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13 6 ● Illusions Trad 7 pitches Mitten Slab