Shelf Road Sunday-Piggy Bank Sunday 1/22/12

The Piggy Bank has something for everyone. Plenty of climbs from 5.7 to 5.12http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/5/3/e/event_70761822.jpeg

(Note: Paul's standard disclaimer.... if no one signs up for this event by 6pm Saturday, I'll cancel the meetup and make other plans to play outside)

Link to Mountain Project's directions to Shelf Road "Bank" parking lot (http://www.mountainproject.com/v/shelf-road/105744267). (The gravel road to the parking lot at Shelf can be rough and snowy. Vehicles with very low clearance may not be recommended)

Directions from Colorado Springs:

South on Hwy 115 to Hwy 50.

West (right) on Hwy 50 to Canon City.

(Hwys 115 & 50 tend to be heavily patrolled by law enforcement)

North (right) at stop light onto Dozier St, (near Wal-Mart) and continue as it curves to the west and becomes Central Ave.

North (right) at the 4 way stop signs on Field Ave. Continue past the schools (school zone speed limits) and over the hill where Field yields to Fremont County 9/Shelf Road, then drive for another 10 miles.

As you get closer to the cliffs, you will first see the sign for the Sand Gulch campground, but keep driving another 50 feet....

Left turn off the pavement at the sign for the Bank Campground. Drive over the cattle guard and follow this bumpy dirt road up the mesa for a mile or so.

Continue past the campground and meet in the main parking lot.

LOST ??? If you find yourself driving right next to the cliffs and County 9/Shelf Road has turned from pavement to gravel, you've gone too far. Turn around. The dirt roads to Sand Gulch and The Bank are located near the end of the pavement on County 9/Shelf Road.

*There is a well maintained pit toilet adjacent the the parking lot/campground.

*The trails to the cliffs can become snowy and icy this time of year. I like using hiking poles and microspikes to improve traction. (http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.php or http://www.yaktrax.com/ or http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm)

*The weather can vary quite a bit depending on cloud cover and wind speed/direction. I always hope for shorts & t-shirt climbing, but I bring along extra layers, hat, gloves and down jacket....just in case.