Grand Junction, Colorado: Lemon Squeezer and Crown Arch (April, 2016)
Stan just above the crux in the Lemon Squeezer slot canyon.
On Saturday, April 29, Bill Briggs and I hoped to go into Crown Arch but the access road was too muddy; there had been 1/2 inch of rain on Thursday. So we did the Lemon Squeezer. Rough Canyon is usually dry. Not this day.
On Saturday, April 29, Bill Briggs and I hoped to go into Crown Arch but the access road was too muddy; there had been 1/2 inch of rain on Thursday. So we did the Lemon Squeezer. Rough Canyon is usually dry. Not this day.The start has this wonderful structured wall, which does not occur again. Water erosion presumably.After the entrance there is a spot with a choice: One can raise oneself up and left through a hole (strenuous) or go out through a slot into the light and then climb a low-angle face. Bill chose the latter (and I followed) and it was definitely easier than the hole. My pic is not very good, so is omitted. After that comes a very narrow section, and then one sees the light of the large balcony.Stan at the balcony. Photo by Bill Briggs.Bill at the balcony.The crux is a smooth-walled chimney to surmount this chockstone. In 2015 I led this with some grunting. Bill went first this time and watching him meant I could do it more smoothly than last time. Photo by Bill Briggs.The last move is very exposed. Facing inward is clearly the way to do it securely. Last time I faced out. After this we wandered up and right and then found one way among several to get over the final cliff to the top. From there we just headed directly back to the car on a very gentle slope; that exit was very efficient.
I had made two previous trips to the complex and beautiful Crown Arch in Mee Canyon. But I always wanted to visit the top, so on Sunday, May 1, Bill Briggs and I did so, carrying ropes and climbing gear. Thank goodness the road had dried out; the drive was easy. By now I have the approach wired and it took only 2:15 to reach the arch (and only 1:50 on return since no map study was needed and we took one good shortcut). After examining things we decided that the best plan was to rig an anchor on two small trees (and one cam) and have me rappel down on a single rope, with the second rope used to belay. That way I could stop and take pictures. To get back up I just used my jumar device, which was the first time I ever used it. It works well! A report of my visits to Crown Arch appears on the NABS blog at http://www.naturalarches.org/blog/the-top-of-the-crown.
Checking things out from the top.Looking down. The upper reaches of the arch are low angle.The back side of the Crown is guarded by a pig.A single shot portrait from near the bottom of my tour.Looking out from just below the top.A panorama from not too far below the top.Looking up Mee Canyon from the low point of my tour.
