Lumpy Ridge Raptor Closures

[Kevin Baker]

Any of you Larimer county guys know if The Needles and Gem Peak are accessible right now? I see they have been done in the spring in the past. The article on the NPS site doesn't mention them being closed. Just wondering if the approach on either is closed.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/a ... UMP_435739

[Brian Kalet]

To my knowledge there are no closures in those areas.

[mikeofferman]

I don't believe that the closures would affect either summit. The trail to Gem Lake is definitely open and so would the Black Canyon trail. A fun way to do these two together is a traverse between the two across Lumpy Ridge (also not affected by the closures).

Here is a photo identifying the rocks. The Needles is the point above Sundance Buttress and Gem Peak is to the very far right of the photo.
http://www.mountainproject.com/images/1 ... 4a995b.jpg

[Kevin Baker]

Thanks for the info, guys!

[Steve Knapp]

Kevin, I was contemplating a hike of McGregor to Dark Mtn to the Needles either this weekend or next if you want to team up. Though I would be tempted for something else afterwards if I finished those early enough. Crosier and West Crosier?