Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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40.40348°N / 105.51762°W |
County:
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Larimer |
Activities:
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Hiking, Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Scrambling |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
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Elevation:
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8789 ft / 2679 m |
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Overview
The Twin Owls.The Twin Owls is the name given to a rock formation on the southeast side of Lumpy Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. The rock formation looks amazingly just like two gigantic (200 foot tall) owls sitting on a perch (known as the Roosting Ramp).
It is likely the most widely known and recognized rock formation on Lumpy Ridge. It can also be seen from virtually anywhere in downtown Estes Park, and various businesses have included "Twin Owls" in their name.
Like many of the rock formations on Lumpy Ridge, The Twin Owls is popular with rock climbers. One of the area's most difficult rock climbs, Anaconda (5.13c), ascends the south face of the West Owl. Note that The Twin Owls is closed to climbing seasonally from March 1 through July 31 for breeding raptors.
The easiest approach to the top of The Twin Owls is via a chimney climb on the north side of the formation named The Bowels of the Owls (5.0).
The Twin Owls is ranked 126 out of 126 on Mountain Jim's Summits of Rocky Mountain National Park List making it the lowest peak on that list. It is unranked on Gerry Roach's Rocky Mountain National Park Summits List because it has only 169 feet of prominence over its parent peak, 'Gem Peak' 0.9 miles to the northeast.
The summit provides a nice view along the top of Lumpy Ridge to the west as well as views of the Longs Peak massif and peaks of the Continental Divide to the southwest.
2 Routes
Dan Leonhard - Oct 27, 2009 1:24 pm - Voted 10/10
Regarding the descentI believe the standard descent is down the Bowels of the Owls, however I found a rap anchor on the back side of the east owl- couple of slings w/rings around a boulder, anchor was in good shape. 1 50ft rap to the top of the gully
Brian Kalet - Mar 20, 2014 1:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Raptor ClosureThe Twin Owls is currently closed: http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/area_closures.htm