Observatory Dome  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  8,500' Page Views:  2,353. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Kurt Johnson on Oct 28, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue 73° | 41° 75° | 45° 73° | 41° 70° | 41° 61° | 39°

Season raptor closures MORE INFO >>> The following areas are closed from March 1-July 31 or until further notice: Twin Owls, Rock One, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sheep Mountain, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Lightning Rock and Checkerboard Rock are currently closed. The closures include the named rock formations and the areas extending 100 yards surrounding the base of the formation. This includes all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber's access trails to the formation. Alligator Rock is also closed. www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/area_closures.htm This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

BETA PHOTO: Observatory Dome.

Description 

Observatory Dome is the next major rock uphill and slightly west of the Pear (apart from the obscure and lower Sunshine Buttress), so named because of the huge, right-facing dihedral located smack dab in the middle of its rounded south face, lending a striking resemblance to its namesake. It's one of Lumpy's least-climbed crags, due in part to its steep bushwhacking approach and lack of routes, quality or otherwise. As of Bernard Gillett's 2001 guidebook (currently the most up-to-date) there were only four routes gracing its rough, slabby, lichen-covered walls, and I haven't heard of anyone scheming for a first ascent lately. Despite this, it might not be a bad place to go if you're looking for a 5.6 or 5.7 on a busy day (when ISN'T White Whale or Chrome-Plated busy?). You're guaranteed to have it all to yourself, even on a July weekend.

Getting There 

Take the trail to the base of the Pear and bushwhack uphill and to the left until you find the base. Use the prominent, central dihedral as a landmark for finding most of the routes. The main descent is to the west, but you can descend east as well.

Raptor issues 

With confirmation with RMNP, this rock is not subject to raptor closures.

The Classics

Featured Route For Observatory Dome

Ryan's Song 5.10  CO : Lumpy Ridge : Observatory Dome

This route is named in memory of Ryan Keller (son of a good friend), who died much too young in a tragic car accident a few years back. This route is aesthetic, elegant, inspiring, but it ends far too quickly. It took a while to find an appropriate route to name in his honor. The rock is still a bit raw and gritty. Nonetheless, it inspired a second, lengthy approach up to climb it.With rain and hail pressing, a toprope ascent was all Mother Nature allowed us. It could be led, but it would b...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

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BETA PHOTO: Near the base. My guess is that Observatory and T...