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Shelf Cirque Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Shelf Cirque

Shelf Cirque Traverse T Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c

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Elevation:	11,500 ft	3,505 m
GPS:	40.2733, -105.6481 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	7,291 total · 44/month
Shared By:	Bill Duncan on Apr 15, 2011
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Closures Details

Seasonal closures Feb. 15-July 31. Per the Denver Post:, the Cathedral Wall and all areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off-trail travel! Per this RMNP website, "Initial closures now occur in Feb. 15 and April, when raptors return to the region and scout for nesting sites. Areas containing general habitat preferred by raptors are closed during this time. Once raptors have selected nesting spots, the initial closures are lifted or adjusted. The specific areas which raptors choose for nesting sites are closed."

For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.

General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.

Description

The stunning Shelf Cirque is formed by 4 mountains and their connecting ridges. Clockwise they are: Arrowhead, McHenry's Peak, Powell Peak, and Thatchtop. Within the cirque lie Solitude Lake and Shelf Lake (and a bunch of ravenous marmots). You must pass through Shelf Cirque to reach McHenrys Notch Couloir, Hourglass Couloir, and is also the easiest approach to NE Ridge or Arrowhead Arete of McHenry's Peak.

Getting There

Approach as for Black Lake, but approximately 1 mile after Mills Lake, look for a small meadow with a faint trail heading west. There may be a sign here now. Cross the creek and follow the faint trail straight up the hill to Shelf Lake.