Owl Rock Tower | Arches

Climbing Owl Rock Tower - Arches Climbing Owl Rock Tower

Arches

Overview

RATING: 5.8
LENGTH: 1-2 hours
MAPS: The Windows Section, UT

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

84 | 54

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North northeast wind around 5 mph.

83 | 52

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

77 | 54

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

77 | 51

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 77.

77 | 51

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, although summers can be hot.
GEAR: See description.

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

84 | 54

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North northeast wind around 5 mph.

83 | 52

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

77 | 54

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

77 | 51

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 77.

77 | 51

View Full Weather Details
Overview Image

Overview Image

THE tower to do in Arches National Park, Owl Rock likely sees more traffic than most of the other routes in the park combined. On some weekends, I've seen several groups lined up at the base waiting their turn.

Why the appeal? The climbing is fun, and the views spectacular. Though the route climbs a crack, the climbing is more reminiscent of jug-like big hold gym climbing that traditional hand and foot crack climbing. For the rating, it is surprisingly steep, but also surprisingly positive climbing.

This is a route I've done a few times, and never tire of. I know it has been many peoples first desert tower and makes a good one.

Jim getting started up the tower.

Jim getting started up the tower.

1/2 way up

1/2 way up

Getting There

From the Arches National Park entrance and visitor center, follow the main park road about 9.2 mile to a signed junction to The Windows Section. Go right here, toward The Windows Section, for 1.1 miles to a pullout on the left. This is the Owl Rock pullout, and the trailhead.

Climbing Owl Rock

Climbing Owl Rock

Route

Rack: A set of cams to a Black Diamond #3 and a set of hexes are what I recommend, or two sets of cams if you don't want to be old school and use hexes. (#1 and #2 Black Diamond cams are key. A single set of cams with doubles in #1 to #3 would be adequate for most comfortable at the grade.) A #4 is optional, but useful in my opinion.

Rope: A 60 m ( 197 ft. ) rope will get you down in one rappel.

The route climbs the obvious west crack that faces the parking lot. Once at the top, down climb 10' to the anchor just below the summit for the rappel. A single 60 m ( 197 ft. ) rope will get you all the way down from this anchor.


Photos

Videos

youtube thumbnail

Owl Rock 5.8

By: richardpattison

Maps

Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12S 626023mE 4284153mN

N38° 41' 49" W109° 33' 03"

Owl Rock

12S 626145mE 4284170mN

N38° 41' 50" W109° 32' 58"

Bullwinkle Rock

12S 626249mE 4283961mN

N38° 41' 43" W109° 32' 54"

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