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Ptarmigan Towers Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map This is our best guess at this area's location.
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Routes in Ptarmigan Towers

	NE Corner T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Tundra Turkey Crack T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c

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GPS:	40.3753, -105.616 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	8,756 total · 33/month
Shared By:	L. Hamilton on May 10, 2003
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Closures Details

Seasonal closures Feb. 15-July 31. Per the Denver Post:, the Cathedral Wall and all areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off-trail travel! Per this RMNP website, "Initial closures now occur in Feb. 15 and April, when raptors return to the region and scout for nesting sites. Areas containing general habitat preferred by raptors are closed during this time. Once raptors have selected nesting spots, the initial closures are lifted or adjusted. The specific areas which raptors choose for nesting sites are closed."

For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.

General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.

Description

The 800-foot east faces of the Ptarmigan Towers, rising above Lake Nanita on the west side of the park, present an impressive Notchtop-like architecture. The long hike in, and the less-traveled routes, might provide a higher adventure level here than on the more popular east-side cliffs.

Getting There

From Grand Lake (8,400') take the North Inlet Trail past Lake Nokoni to Lake Nanita (9.3 miles, 10,800'). The towers form the lake's scenic background. They are numbered 1 to 5, from right to left. Tower 3 is comparatively minor. Towers 2, 4 and 5 have the most substantial faces, with room for difficult routes.