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Lens Rock

Colorado > Estes Park Valley > Lumpy Ridge
Warning Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Raptor Closures lifted 7/28/23 DetailsDrop down

Description

Lens Rock is a 1-2 pitch crag located between the Bookend and the Citadel. It consists of mostly easy to moderate trad lines and couple of stiffer mixed routes. This small crag does offer a variety of fun climbing - chimney, off-width, finger to fist cracks and some face climbing too. I wouldn't consider this crag to be a destination, but it is worth a stop off to get another line in for the day if you are in the general area.

Climbs that ascend the actual lens feature of Lens Rock have rap anchors at the top. Most other climbs use a walk/scramble off to the east in the gully between Lens Rock and the Bookend. This walk off is not pleasant nor is it obvious. Work your way down a path of least resistance and be prepared for some 4th class scrambling/downclimbing.

Getting There

Lens Rock is most easily accessed from other crags. Take the Black Canyon Trail to the Bookend or to the Pear. From the Bookend: head west below the Bookend across the gully and you'll run into Lens Rock. From the Pear: head up and east the descent gully on the east (right) side of the Pear.

Lens Rock is easily identified by two features: its SE face that is shaped like a lens and a large balanced rock on its summit with crack lines running up to it.

Routes from Left to Right

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 14
Tennis Shoe Tango
Trad 2 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 8
Arch Crack
Trad 2 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b R
 1
Flakes of Glass
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
 1
Ain't My Gull To Whack
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a X
 3
Optic Nerve
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 3
The Frame
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
 1
The Spectacle
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Tennis Shoe Tango
 14
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 2 pitches
Arch Crack
 8
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 2 pitches
Flakes of Glass
 1
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b R Trad
Ain't My Gull To Whack
 1
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13 Trad, TR
Optic Nerve
 3
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a X Trad
The Frame
 3
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
The Spectacle
 1
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Lens Rock from near the base on the right side.  Routes visible are The Spectacle 9 R (with 2 bolts visible from the ground) & Ellipse 12a (up & R).  Optic Nerve 9 X & The Frame 8 are around to the right of this photo.
[Hide Photo] Lens Rock from near the base on the right side. Routes visible are The Spectacle 9 R (with 2 bolts visible from the ground) & Ellipse 12a (up & R). Optic Nerve 9 X & The Frame 8 are around to the…
Lens Rock from near the base on the left side.
[Hide Photo] Lens Rock from near the base on the left side.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Considering the dearth of easy-moderate climbs on Lumpy, I wouldn't discount Lens Rock as a destination. I have done it more than once, but then I'm a timid climber. And the descent isn't that bad, certainly a lot worse out there. Sep 16, 2003