Mount Owen is the second-highest peak in the Teton Range, a striking 12,928-foot summit rising in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, just north of its famous neighbor, the Grand Teton. Named for climbing pioneer William O. Owen, it's one of the most coveted and respected objectives in the range — a peak of superb rock and serious commitment.

Important: Mount Owen is a technical mountaineering objective, not a hiking summit. There is no walk-up route — every path to the top involves roped climbing (no route easier than low fifth class, with options ranging from about 5.1 to 5.10) as well as steep snow, route-finding, and remote alpine terrain. The classic lines, such as the Koven and East Ridge routes, are prized by experienced alpinists, and many climbers find Owen tougher than the Grand Teton itself due to the lack of a trail and its more remote setting. Ascents are typically done as multi-day trips with a high camp in Garnet or Glacier Gulch.

This peak is strictly for parties with solid rock-climbing and mountaineering skills, proper equipment, and the judgment to move safely on exposed, glaciated terrain. Grand Teton National Park requires a permit for backcountry camping, and climbers should check current conditions with the Jenny Lake Ranger Station, register their plans, and carry the gear and experience the route demands. Approached with respect and the right skills, Mount Owen offers some of the finest classic mountaineering in the Tetons; for everyone else, it's a magnificent summit to admire from below.