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Description
The "Skull Cave" is the massive cave on the East side of the canyon a bit downstream from Feline. This is a true cave, and all of the routes are completely sheltered from the rain, making this a popular hang in wet weather. However, despite the fact that no rain drop has ever touched these walls, most of the routes are often wet until mid-summer due to seepage. These lines have a rather nasty appearance, with corroded bolts, and covered in dirt and moss. Several of the once-classic lines have changed substantially over the years as the water has finally torn the choss loose.
There are a couple of worthwhile lines that are generally dry, and make for decent warmups. These lines are on the outer edges of the cave. Most of the routes going out the center of the cave are steep and hard (5.13).
Access issues inherited from Rifle Mountain Park
Drive west to Glenwood Springs on I-70. Ten miles further west take the Newcastle exit. Turn right off the freeway and come to a stop sign. Continue straight (north) on a four-lane road that then bends west through Castle Valley, a housing development just outside of town. After a couple of miles this road dead ends at Grass Valley Road.
Follow Grass Valley Road west, passing the turn-offs for East Elk Canyon, Main Elk Canyon (home of the Fortress of Solitude), West Elk Canyon, and Harvey Gap. After about 6-8 miles Grass Valley Road comes to a T-intersection. Turn right and follow this paved road up up up past the fish hatchery, where it turns to dirt. You're now in Rifle Mountain Park.
Ethic inherited from Rifle Mountain Park
Pay your entrance fee, don't park where you're not supposed to, and keep a low, friendly profile. The climbing here is excellent, and there's more than enough routes to go around.
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Selected Guidebooks more Hide
Author(s): Darek Krol
Date: 2021
ISBN: 978-1-938393-41-9
- Wolverine:
- Celebrate the natural beauty of Rifle, Colorado, learn how to kneebar, have fun falling off your project, and meet the cast of climbers responsible for the routes in Rifle: A Climber's Guide.
- Updated with over 100 climbs added since the last edition
- Features new beta photos, an easy-to-use layout and color-coded grading for quick reference
- Includes information on local flora and fauna
ⓘ
Author(s): Gerry Roach
Date: 2022
ISBN: 9781641607759
Providing accurate and comprehensive info, the 4th edition of Fulcrum Colorado's Fourteeners includes standard, alternate and technical routes for all 58 peaks over 14,000 ft. in the Centennial state.
- Updated to include up-to-date topographic maps, GPS coordinates, expanded route details and alterations to trail access
- Multiple tables and appendices summarize features for quick reference
- Author Gerry Roach shares his expertise from over 50 years of mountaineering
- Includes full colour photos and 31 maps
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Author(s): Matt Payne and Bob Rosebrough
Date: 2022
ISBN: 9781937052775
- Colorado Mountain Club:
- Climbing Colorado's San Juans is a treasure trove of adventures ranging from easy scrambles for the outdoor novice to advanced, technical ascents of staggering summits for seasoned peakbaggers.
- Chapters are organized into 13 mountain subgroups
- Covers nearly 300 routes and 200 peaks—including 13 of Colorado's 54 fourteeners and 29 of its highest Centennial peaks
- Includes key intel, maps, color photos and storied explanations of San Juan mountain's climbing history
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Tue 9 May
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