PRINT: Climbing in Bolt Boulder (Boulder Below Twins Owls), Lumpy Ridge

Bolt Boulder (Boulder Below Twins Owls)

Colorado > Estes Park Valley > Lumpy Ridge

Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Raptor Closures lifted 7/28/23 Details

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

This is a large boulder below Twin Owls. Ever seen its bolts, rivets, fixed gear and wondered why?

Perhaps 45 feet tall, it has a number of short routes on it. For organizational purposes and since it is distinct from Twins Owls, we'll make it a separate entry. Note, it is not subject to raptor closures.

On its west side, there are a number of aid lines and hard potential free lines. On its east & south sides lie a few totally obscure lines.

It doesn't seem to be listed separately in Kimball's, Rossiter's, or Gillett's guides, although Hangover Overhang is listed in Rossiter's guide, p. 210.

Thanks, Ben.

Getting There

From the current Twin Owls parking lot (soon to be phased out, '07?), it lies a short way up the trail, on the N side of the trail, towards Gem Lake.

From the new parking lot, you'll have to hike to the junction for Black Canyon vs Gem Lake. Hike west briefly, drop down, and you'll likely nearly bump into this rock as you approach the old Twin Owls parking lot, soon to be restored.

Routes from Left to Right

A2 2 ● Hang Left Aid
C1-2 2 ● Hangover Overhang Aid
V11 8A 1 ● Podophile "Sit" Boulder
V9 7C 2 ● Podophile Boulder
V9 7C 1 ● Pop A Loose Nut Boulder
V4+ 6B+ 2 ● V4 left of Pop A Loose Nut Boulder
C2+ 1 ● Vegetarians Love Granite Aid