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The North Ridge (of Dinosaur Mountain). Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The North Ridge (of Dinosaur Mountain).

L › R R › L A › Z

	Audiophile T 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Beat Down, The T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Blank Sheets T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Get Down On It T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Idly I De-Ice T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	North Buttress, The T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13
	North Ridge, The T 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R

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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:	6,000 ft	1,829 m
GPS:	39.9774, -105.2918 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	7,286 total · 49/month
Shared By:	Tony B on Oct 19, 2012
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures Details

The usual crags are closed for climbing for raptor nesting:

See: bouldercolorado.gov/service….

Click here for the trail closures. Some are M-F, some are 24/7. These impact the Bear Canyon/Fern Canyon regions primarily:

flatironsclimbing.org/tempo…

Click here bouldercolorado.gov/service… for the latest in raptor closures.

Access Issue: Closed for Raptors Feb 1- Aug 1, annually Details

See OSMP closures, annually. Closes as for Skunk Canyon Ridge 3/4 and The Dreadnaught.

Description

This is a scruffy and almost untouched Flatiron that is so obscure as to be almost invisible until one is upon it. This is despite its height, which while recorded at 1200', is probably closer to 2000' if climbed in its entirety. Its low profile and angle keep it back out of view behind The Dreadnaught and the various 'Porch' Flatirons of Dinosaur Mountain.

The climbing itself is not bad, but the long, low-angle rib of rock raises up and to the south out of the canyon, sitting mostly in the shade for most of the year, with no traffic to speak of. This means that lichen abounds and the loose flakes that were ever there remain there. The route is virtually uncleaned.

Still, like its northern neighbors, the 4 Ridges of Skunk Canyon (which are South-facing and bare), this long ribbon of rock offers a scramble of over an hour out of the depths of Skunk Canyon to the very tip of Dinosaur Mountain, certainly one of the longest scrambles in the entire park area...and you are very unlikely to run into anyone else on it.

Getting There

Approach as for all of Skunk Canyon at first, via the Devil's Thumb or NCAR access to the Mesa Trail and into the Skunk Canyon trail. Follow this back past any semblance of a good trail, past the 4 Ridges on the North Side. Missing the "toe" of the North Ridge of Dinosaur Mountain on your left. It is just 100 yards past the Dreadnaught and missing it in all of the trees is not hard to do. If you pass it, it is recognizable from the West as being a few sharp 200' spires to on the Southern Side of the canyon. Go back downhill and climb this, the final ridge of rock on the South side of Skunk Canyon (North end of Dino Mt). This will not appear to be a 2000' line at first, but many false summits later, you will find yourself at the very tip of Dinosaur Mountain.

The GPS map link included will be as helpful as any text available.