Type: | Trad |
FA: | Diana Hunter & Billy Roos, 1970s |
Page Views: | 980 total · 3/month |
Shared By: | Tony B on Jun 30, 2001 |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
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Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Update: as of 6/7/23 per Mike McHugh, ECSP: all closures have been lifted within Eldorado Canyon State Park, including Continental Crag.
Crags on Eldorado Mountain, such as Mickey Mouse wall and Cryptic Crags, are outside of park boundaries and may still be subject to Boulder County closures.
Previously in 2023: per M. McHugh, ECSP: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin, & the
Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately. This included Continental Crag.
These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing & hiking, through 7/15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the S side of the canyon.
Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine to $5,000 & one year imprisonment.
See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.
Previous years: per Dustin Bergman, CO State Parks Officer #770, ECSP:
Seasonal Raptor Closures
Check Park site for current closures:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
For more info visit:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
Double check prior to venturing there. Thanks!
Crags on Eldorado Mountain, such as Mickey Mouse wall and Cryptic Crags, are outside of park boundaries and may still be subject to Boulder County closures.
Previously in 2023: per M. McHugh, ECSP: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin, & the
Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately. This included Continental Crag.
These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing & hiking, through 7/15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the S side of the canyon.
Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine to $5,000 & one year imprisonment.
See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.
Previous years: per Dustin Bergman, CO State Parks Officer #770, ECSP:
Seasonal Raptor Closures
Check Park site for current closures:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
For more info visit:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
Double check prior to venturing there. Thanks!
Description
On the South Side of the Whale's Tail a slippery ramp rises from the right to left on a dark band of rock [from the] streamside trail. This route is Spoof. Climb the first 30 or so feet past fixed pins with a few possible tricam or SLCD placements. This section is the 5.8+ crux of Spoof. After a few more moves, a pocketed and chunky crack/dihedral/roof appears overhead. Climb up and slightly to the right on pockets, pinches, underclings, and jams.
Normally, I'd say to continue to a good belay stance, but there isn't one - so just continue until...[there] are some bolted anchors for nearby routes if you want to do some simple rigging, ro you can continue up to the top and scramble off.
I found the climbing to be reasonably fun and perhaps not as bad as described on-line for the route "Spoof," but this is certainly no destination. It's a route to be enjoyed by those who are completists in Eldo and don't mind a bit of obscure climbing.
At least it's not a long walk.
Normally, I'd say to continue to a good belay stance, but there isn't one - so just continue until...[there] are some bolted anchors for nearby routes if you want to do some simple rigging, ro you can continue up to the top and scramble off.
I found the climbing to be reasonably fun and perhaps not as bad as described on-line for the route "Spoof," but this is certainly no destination. It's a route to be enjoyed by those who are completists in Eldo and don't mind a bit of obscure climbing.
At least it's not a long walk.
Protection
There are a few fixed pins low on the route Spoof, where Spoof Roof starts. These are not great, and the climbing nearby is easy, but I advise clipping them. Not much else is available, and the rock is slick. Use longer slings to avoid drag and place gear whenever possible. As you turn the roof, the "chunkiness" of the rock makes it somewhat difficult to trust the gear. The gear in and of itself is not bad, but the general slipperiness of the rock makes a fall from anywhere possible, whereas gear is not necessarily so readily available.
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