The North Ridge (of Dinosaur Mountain).  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  6,000' Lat, Long:  39.9774, -105.2918 Map Page Views:  726. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Tony B on Oct 19, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Closed for Raptors Feb 1- Aug 1, annually MORE INFO >>> See OSMP closures, annually. Closes as for Skunk Canyon Ridge 3/4 and The Dreadnaught. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment Flatirons Climbing Council Preserving climbing access in the Flatirons

Linz and Jason approach the summit of the lonely S...

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.

The Classics

Featured Route For The North Ridge (of Dinosaur Mountain).

Idly I De-Ice 5.9  CO : Flatirons : ... : The North Ridge (of Dinosau...

This climb is exactly what it looks like: moderate jugs and edges up to an overhanging handcrack through a dihedral. The slightly closed section and pod up top give it a distinct crux just before the finish.Climb up moderate terrain (5.5?) through some jams, jugs, edges, and ledges to reach the base of an overhanging, right-facing corner. Place a hand-sized cam and head up on solid jams for the top of the corner. The top (crux) is a brief variation in the crack size. Top out, place a directio...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO