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Mt Olympus Climbing

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Elevation:	8,452 ft
GPS:	40.37461, -105.46368 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	4,939 total · 18/month
Shared By:	Leo Paik on Apr 4, 2002
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: 2024 Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

From the Canyon Lakes Ranger District Forest Service:

Fort Collins, Colo. (March 7, 2024) – to protect nesting birds of prey, the U.S. Forest Service is implementing annual area closures in several popular recreation areas throughout the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. The closures include Triple Tier, south of CO Highway 14; Boston Peak, north of CO Highway 14; Grazing Allotment Crag, northwest of Prairie Divide Road; and Mt. Olympus, southeast of US Highway 34. See the closure map for more details. Effective through July 31, 2024, the closures protect established raptor territories to ensure the birds remain undisturbed during sensitive breeding and nesting seasons.

The Canyon Lakes Ranger District partners with Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition to monitor nesting progress and to inform climbers about the importance of giving raptors space to raise their young.

Federal and state laws prohibit disturbing any nesting bird of prey. Visitors can help protect wildlife by respecting all closures. Signs will be posted at key access points into the closed areas. Additional closure information is available online.

A map: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO….

Additional information: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO….

Description

This is a large, South-facing, mass of granite, just north of US 36, East of Estes Park, before Fish Creek Rd. It is easily seen from US 36 and draws the eye as you go past. Apparently the private Crocker Ranch below the cliff makes access difficult. Douglas Snively & Billy Westbay climbed a 5.11 roof route on the lower left side in the 1970s according to B. Gillett in his Rocky Mountain National Park, The Climber's Guide, Estes Park Valley printed in 2001. There seems little else documented in standard guidebooks for the area. I'm sure there has been other explorations....

Getting There

From Estes Park, drive E on US 36 just past Fish Creek Rd. It is visible on the N (L). From Denver/Lyons, drive W on US 36 until nearly into Estes Park. Look N (R). Exact and most-access friendly parking is not obvious. Clearer directions from the cognoscetti may avoid conflicts....

Addendum: currently legal access is not possible. Lisa Foster's hiking guidebook indicates all of the south face and 100m from the summit are private property.