Batman Rock Rock Climbing
| GPS: |
40.40596, -105.52981 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 30,339 total · 100/month |
| Shared By: | Charles Vernon on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Upper & Lower Twin Owls, Rock One, The Book and access trail, Bookmark, and Left Book were opened based on a park new release.
Closures have been extended for Thunder Buttress, access trail, The Parish, Cathedral Wall.
Closures above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond trail have been extended.
Per Brent Frazier: the raptor closures have been lifted in the Lumpy Ridge and Loch Vale Areas ( nps.gov/romo/raptor-closure…)
Each year, Rocky Mountain National Park initiates temporary closures in certain areas of the park to ensure that birds of prey will be undisturbed during their breeding and nesting seasons. These closures begin on February 15 and continue through July 31, if appropriate. Monitoring by park staff and volunteers have determined that all remaining closures can be lifted on July 28, 2023.
Per Matt Coghill: the Golden eagle nesting activity has extended Lumpy closures through Aug. 15, 2022 on Sundance, Thunder Buttress, and Needle Summit!
Per A.Eaton: the raptor closures have been lifted as of 6/4/2022 at Lumpy for the following formations:
Twin Owls
Rock One
Batman Rock
Batman Pinnacle
Checkerboard
Lightning Rock
Per the Denver Post: as of Feb. 15, 2022, Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sundance, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Bookmark Pinnacle, The Left Book, Bookmark, Twin Owls, Rock One, and the Needle are closed for raptor nesting. These closures will continue through July 31, 2022 if needed.
All areas [were] OPEN to climbing for the 2021 post July season.
Closures ending July 31:
Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Lightning Rock, Checkerboard Rock - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Sundance - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
The Book Area: Left Book, The Bookmark, Bookmark Pinnacle, and the entire Book formation (including Renaissance Wall, Isis Buttress, Pages Wall Area, and J-Crack Slab Area)- nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Thunder Buttress and The Parish - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Twin Owls and Rock One - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Cathedral Wall - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
When closed, the closures include the named rock formations and the areas 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.
Areas not listed are presumed to be open. These closures will be lifted or extended as conditions dictate.
Description
A beautiful dome perched atop the Ridge, with an assortment of two pitch routes. Like Twin Owls, it is flanked by other cliffs, including Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, and the Batman Pinnacle, all of which have fine routes and are approached by the same trail. The dome is host to some of the Ridge's best moderate routes, such as Batman and Robin (5.6) and Hand over Hand (5.7). Checkerboard has some very challenging, very trad climbs, notably Ziggie's Day Out and Checkerboard Crack, both 5.10. Clowntime is Over and Bat Crack are must-do 5.9s on Batman itself.
Getting There
From the new parking lot, take the west trail towards the old Twin Owls parking lot ~0.6 miles. Somewhat confusing-take the right of two trails from the west end of old Twin Owls parking lot, bear left shortly thereafter at the first branch, then right after a little ways (these last two branches are unmarked). Checkerboard is the first rock, after about 15 minutes, then the trail effectively disappears, but the other rocks become obvious. ~45-60 minutes for the approach, 40 minutes for the descent.
A 2021 update from a comment: to find the improved trail to Batman from the main Lumpy trail from the main trail, follow the sign that says Batman Rock, then go left twice at forks that come up quickly. You may not see any more signs, until you get way up to the sign for Batman Pinnacle (Batman Rock is just past this).
Classic Climbing Routes at Batman Rock
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