Gold Star (Upper) (CNM)

Gold Star (Upper) (CNM) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3A II (v3a1 III) Raps:‌2, max ↨115ft Metric Overall: 3.5h  ⟷3.6mi Approach: 2h  ⟷2mi  ↑1130ft Descent: 1h  ⟷0.6mi  ↓500ft Exit: 40min  ⟷1mi  ↓580ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌Optional Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone
Start:	39.0775, -108.6915
Parking:	39.0908, -108.6900
Shuttle:	39.0681, -108.6600
Condition Reports:
Weather:
Best season:	Best in Spring and Fall, Hot in Summer, Cold in Winter winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Colorado Western Slope  Colorado National Monument

39.0775, -108.691539.0908, -108.690039.0681, -108.6600https://ropewiki.com/images/1/15/Gold_Star_%28Upper%29_%28CNM%29.kmltopo

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Introduction

Upper Gold Star is a nice extension to the downclimbs in Lower Gold Star and adds a few nice rappels from the top of the Monument. The shorter approach from the Gold Star Trailhead utilizes a wide crack that must be climbed to gain the rim. Some will appreciate the few climbing moves with old moki steps, others may prefer to approach via Otto's Staircase or worse pay-to-play trail system from the Liberty Cap Trailhead and Otto's Bathtub.

Approach

Park at the Gold Star Trailhead.

Hike the Fenceline Trail 0.2mi to the White Rocks, then turn uphill for 0.3mi to gain the Bench Trail. Turn left on the Bench Trail for 0.7mi and depart the Bench Trail at (39.07831, -108.68480) to head up a large gully access to the rim.

Climb the final 50 ft in a wide crack requiring several scrambling moves. Several old moki steps are carved to help the first moves.

Once on the rim, dodge cryptobiotic soil moving cross country to the top of the rappel.

Alternatively, hike the Lower Gold Star approach and gain the top of the mesa using Otto's Staircase.

A longer trail option, gains the elevation completely on established trails. Park a shuttle vehicle at the Liberty Cap Trailhead (39.06810, -108.66002) and hike the Liberty Cap Trail 3.3 miles +1470ft taking a right on Otto's Trail. Pass Otto's Bathtub then strike cross country to the top of Upper Gold Star. This shuttle, no-climb, all-trail approach is 4.6 miles +1470'.

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  Eagle Tower from from the Bench Trail
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  Upclimb gully to moki crack
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  moki crack
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  moki crack upclimb
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  moki crack upclimb

Descent

R1: 115' minimum from a tree set back 45' from the edge on the DCL side of the wash. The rappel line from the tree provides a nicer, less awkward start.
If using a fiddle, it may be advantageous to move the fiddle 35' from the tree toward the lip, which would then require a 150' rope.

R1 ends with feet on the ground, then downclimbs a short distance to a final 6' drop that could be overcome with a meat anchor and partner assist. A 190' rope covers the entire distance including the 35' extra rope for the fiddle placement closer to the lip.

DCs a series of DCs in a boulder field

R2: 95' from a pinch under a large boulder in Canyon Center.

DC a chossy mudstone ledge DCL

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  R1 from the top
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  R1
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  R1
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  R2
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  mudstone layer, DC DCL

Exit

Intersect the Bench Trail or continue downstream in Lower Gold Star for its non-technical downclimbs. The 40 minute return time listed in the table is the non-technical downclimb descent time of Lower Gold Star.

Two return trail options exist. Go left on the Bench Trail to return on the usual Lower Gold Star Canyon approach back to the Gold Star Trailhead along South Broadway.

Red tape

A National Park's pass or a Colorado National Monument entrance fee is required.

Trip reports and media

2025-04-08 First known descent. Ira Lewis, Chris Welsh, Duane & Lyle