Cathedral Boulder Climbing
Elevation: | 6,550 ft | 1,996 m |
GPS: |
38.41676, -107.9873 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 2,890 total · 63/month | |
Shared By: | Beebo Cornelious on May 23, 2021 | |
Admins: | Edward Medina, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Description
This is in the best boulder field in the area. The "Cathedral" (pictured below) is the first large boulder that you will walk up on. Every face is climbable, and this offers some moderate level climbing. One face includes a large slab(ish) wall - use this to climb down. There are lots of challenging problems and tons of undiscovered routes behind it, hidden gem of Montrose.
Getting There
Check "Getting There" for "Electric Hills Bouldering":
Begin by either mapping "Oak Grove Elementary, Montrose, CO" (Google and Apple maps can you straight to it). From there, head south on Colorado Highway 90 for about 15 minutes. The road will make several turns. Simply remain on the paved road. You will pass a large power station on the right, and that is when you know you are close. Continue west for a few more minutes, and when the road splits in two, head LEFT up the dirt road named "County Road 90." A sign will indicate that a town called "Nucla" is this way. Continue up the dirt road for maybe a minute until you see a large dirt parking lot on your left. You will know you've gone too far if you drive through back-to-back hairpin turns. The correct entrance is maybe 50 yards passed the large dirt parking area, on the left, indicated by the star. Hidden behind shrubs with a silver gate (pictures below) will indicate the correct road. The majority of vehicles can be driven on this dirt road if driven slow. Drive/walk until a grassy pullout area, on the left. This is an ideal place to park. If you find that your car cannot make it, park at the large dirt parking lot, and walk from there. From the large dirt lot, the approach is about mile (~20 minutes). If you made it to the grassy parking further south, continue walking along the road until you a see a wooden entrance on your right (no gate, just wooden posts and trail head signs). Hike up the hill, and follow the light path until you approach the first boulder, "Mars Landing." Several trails will stem off to the right before reaching it; however, remain following the light path until you find Mars Landing. From there, continue passed it on a faint trail OR turn around and head off one of the previously mentioned "stemming trails" (that will now be on your left). You should be able to see the boulderfield from there. Occasionally, a waterfall will be running on the cliff sides left of the boulder field (if looking south, facing the boulders).
The Boulder Field
This boulder field has untapped potential but will require some trail work. The larger boulders higher up, near the cliff face, have some very nice faces; however, accessing them is a bit difficult. The cliff faces also hold a lot of potential, but again accessing them is an issue. There is lots of thick brush and the occasional cactus. It is definitely worth looking into. A dirt road (fairly rocky) can be taken to the top of the cliff sides. Check satellite imaging not included here.
Classic Climbing Routes at Cathedral Boulder
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