Elevation: 7,496 ft
GPS: 39.71049, -107.69133
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 29,013 total · 116/month
Shared By: Pinklebear on Aug 2, 2002 · Updates
Admins: Alvaro Arnal, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description

The Lower Tier is the wall/walls immediately down-canyon of the Skull Cave. The climbing here is "slabbier" than other areas at Rifle, but the stone is an interesting blend of white and blue rock with funky spikes, swirls, and undercut bulge features that make for puzzling climbing.

The left sector sits directly above the parking area, and has two routes facing the road (scramble up onto a ledge to start). The right sector is back along a litte trail leading into the trees and faces downcanyon (west-ish). The Lower Tier is one of the sunniest crags in Rifle -- if you're trying these routes in the summer, you'll have until about 1 pm until the sun comes around.

Getting There

Park in the two car pull-out just below (downcanyon) from the Skull Cave _this parking area is directly across the road from Merry Maids -- an obvious, left-leaning inset corner with blue and white rock -- on the Ice Cave Walls. Alternately, park at the bigger lot at the Wasteland and walk back up the road (3-5 minutes).

13 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Lower Tier

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 19
The Journey
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 64
Requiem
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 16
Mike and Tate
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 18
Neo-Nazi Dinner Date
Sport
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 19
Rigor Mortis
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 20
The Other Side
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 19
Eulogy
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 13
Music for the Dead
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 8
Chicken Soup
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 3
Ants In My Pants
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 4
Cowboys From Hell
Sport
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a
 4
Cemetery Gates
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Journey Upper Tier
 19
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Requiem S Facing
 64
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Mike and Tate W Facing
 16
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Neo-Nazi Dinner Date W Facing
 18
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Rigor Mortis W Facing
 19
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Sport
The Other Side W Facing
 20
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Eulogy W Facing
 19
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Music for the Dead S Facing
 13
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Chicken Soup S Facing
 8
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Ants In My Pants S Facing
 3
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
Cowboys From Hell S Facing
 4
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
Cemetery Gates S Facing
 4
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Lower Tier »

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