Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 5,464 ft 1,665 m
GPS: 39.08928, -108.71813
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 15,274 total · 49/month
Shared By: The Internet on Nov 29, 1999
Admins: Jesse Zacher, Bradley Mark Edwards, Nick Reecy, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

Kissing Couple is the 400' semi-detached spire to the south of Independence Monument and Grand View Spire.

Getting There Suggest change

To access, you drive past Monument Canyon Trail, to the very back of the valley. Look for a tunnel just below the road. This is where the approach trail starts. You start by walking down a trail built in 1910 by John Otto. This trail drops steeply into the canyon for about 800 feet, and then walks around the edge of the canyon until the Kissing Couple formation can be seen. (The top of the tower looks like two people kissing when viewed from the approach, the object they are both kissing, I believe, is the namesake for this route). So, you walk around to the opposite side of the tower from what you see on approach. Then scramble up to the base. You do a little boulder problem to get up to the start of P1. This is kinda tricky with a full backpack.

Per Mel C: the approach from the rim is at least 40 minutes.

1 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Kissing Couple Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Kissing Couple

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c C0
 65
Long Dong Wall (aka Bell Tower)
Trad, Aid 5 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Long Dong Wall (aka Bell To…
 65
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c C0 Trad, Aid 5 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Kissing Couple »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading