PDA

View Full Version : Trip Report Rock 'The Rock' - hike to the Castle Rock.



zzyzx
02-22-2012, 11:50 AM
The triangle of lower Hackberry and Cottonwood road offers a lot of hiking opportunities. One of them is the hike to the top of Castle Rock. Since a couple of years, this was my goal. Now it became reality.

Where: GSENM, Cottonwood Canyon Road
Topo: Calico Peak
TH: Cottonwood Canyon Road, east of Castle Rock
Date: 06/2011
Weather: hot, sunny and windy
Time needed: w/ photo stops, 6.5 h
Length of hike: 3.2 mls
We started the hike 06:00 AM.

The Sun is spotting 'The Castle'.

51521

Hike into the little Canyon and find a ledge.

51522

Scramble up to southwest, meet the cairn

51523

and don't forget looking back.

51524

Reach the rim, enjoy the view.

51525

Find your way, scramble down into the wash.

51526

Pump-up your legs and rock 'The Rock'.

51527

Enjoy the colors and structures of sandstone

51528

from different variations

51529

and far outlooks to White Pocket

51530

and Yellow Rock / Red Top.

51531

Have fun - and maybe see you on trail!

mattandersao
02-22-2012, 01:36 PM
Very Cool! Thanks!!

accadacca
02-23-2012, 10:09 AM
:popcorn:

powderglut
02-24-2012, 04:34 AM
Nice TR. Amazing you picked out White Pocket from across the Hwy.
I like!:2thumbs:

Sandstone Addiction
02-24-2012, 08:38 AM
Beautiful pictures and awesome TR. Thanks. :2thumbs:

Jammer
02-24-2012, 10:47 AM
Awesome -- I'm headed there in April so this just got me very pumped up!

- Jamal

PS -- do you have any pics to the north? I'm really curious about the landscape of the Cockscomb north of Castle Rock along Cottonwood Road. Thx.

zzyzx
02-24-2012, 02:06 PM
Thanks a bunch for your comments, folks.

Jamal,

Sorry, the only one I have, is this

51572

For you as a long distance hiker. If you like the Cockscomb / monocline.
You can start your hike (if you like) at Chynoweth corral or Goulding trail, towards Castle Rock.
You'll see the beautiful rough landscapes of the Rush Beds, colors like Yellow Rock, pinnacles, hoodoos and good outlooks to the Cockcombs.

Jammer
02-24-2012, 02:23 PM
That's awesome -- Google Earth only helps me visualize it so much. Thanks!

Yeah... I was thinking about crossing via the Goulding Trail. However, my plan is to actually head north, so I might actually try and get across farther north in the heart of the Rush Beds. If I have the time I'd love to summit Castle Rock too though!

- Jamal

zzyzx
02-24-2012, 02:37 PM
Have fun, Jamal and post your pictures of the north.