Beginning the hike up to the...

Beginning the hike up to the base of Castleton Tower from the second parking lot. The first and second cliff bands are indicated with "1" and "2", respectively. Cliff band "2" requires overcoming a low 5-th class, 12-foot vertical rock section (we hauled packs). Looking for the climbers' trail is a good idea esp. for getting through "1"! Approximate line of Kor-Ingalls route is also indicated. Shot was taken shortly before the sun came up high enough to illuminate the spire - temps. were hovering in the teens to low 20's (December 25, 2004).