Parade Rock, 5.9-5.11c

Overview/Approach

Parade Rock had two published routes in the local guide in print as of 2019.  Parade is a separate smaller formation located between the Reynolds and Spelunk formations.  A rather obscure, but one of the better 5.11 splitters in the park, is Soft Parade, 5.11c***.   Parade Rock's other route is worth doing if you made the trek back there, Parade Rest, 5.9*.  It is more challenging than your average Vedauwoo 5.9, and won’t be a waste of time even if you trekked back here for the stellar 5.11. 

Park as you would for Reynolds at 700-D off of Vedauwoo Road.  The road is closed at a gate.  Hike a mile or two towards the main Reynold formation’s south face.  Circumvent Reynolds to the left by staying in the meadow on the trail.  Start gaining elevation and look to tie into a well established trail at a T.  Turn right and you will pass right below Rest Parade and Soft Parade, Soft being out on the right arete.  This same trail makes the base of Spelunk in short order after crossing a grassy meadow.

Routes Listed Left to Right as you Approach the South Face

Parade Rest- 50’-5.9*/ The only published local guide as of 2019 does a lot of downgrading that no one has been able to explain short of ego.  MP.com has this route at 5.10a and that would be more in line for the Voo.  Worth climbing for sure, just to the left of a really good 5.11 named Soft Parade.  It is comprised of two stacked corners, both at about the same grade.  The lower section has an OW move or two.  The upper section is steep hands and fists.  There is a ledge in between.  Right facing two tier corner to the left of Soft’s obvious tight hands/finger splitter out on the arete.  Gear anchor, best to bring up the 2^nd and scramble off back.  Single to #4.  Few extra medium pieces for the belay.  Dow

Soft Parade- 40’-5.11c***/ An excellent tight-hands to fingers/ring-locks back to tight-hands splitter on the colorful arete on the northeast corner of the formation.  The crux is at the sustained ring-lock section at the bulge (slightly overhanging) in the arete several meters off the ground.  Keep your right foot working the crack.  Not much else for feet.  I sort of made a dyno from jam to jam.  Second half eases up to a fixed rap.  Single to #2.  Double #.5 to #1.  Triple #.75.  Nothing really needed smaller or larger.  Dow