Brickyards Ice Climbing Video

1) where is it? 2) public? 3) anything over 30 ft high there?

The Brickyards is in St. Paul, MN. Here is the link to the MTN Project page for the area.

Nothing over 30 feet there, but it is public, and there are a couple other ice floe's around if you feel like exploring. We also went climbing today at the Franklin St. Bridge area.

Franklin St. is in Minneapolis right by the U of M campus, is probably 40' tall and offers really easy, safe, and simple top rope set ups. I'll post some video from Franklin St. soon.

thanks. I've heard of it but never knew where it was. 400 miles too far to drive though for 30 footers.

Nice video Matt.

Are there any fees for climbing at the Brickyards? I rember three years ago there was a big stink about the park either imposing a fee for ice climbing or thinking about imposing a fee.

There is a fee in the form of an "annual pass." Similar fees are charged for fossil collecting there in the summer (which is quite good for those into such things). However, I've been hiking back there several times and I think the local cops have better things than hike into the woods looking for climbers without permits, so if you were to try to poach, you'd likely get away with it.

stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=1402

The ice areas in St Paul are Crosby Park, Shadow Falls, and the Bickyards in Lilydale Park.

In Minneapolis there is the Franklin St. ice, also known as Bridal Veil Falls, and Minnehaha Falls, which are bigger, but probably illegal. Unfortunate, because Minnehaha (when it freezes) looks like easily the best ice in the area (you will probably get caught if you try to climb here, as it is a roadside feature, though I have heard of successful night ascents). See rc.com for a bit more info.

I was climbing at Franklin St. on Sunday, and it is definitely not illegal. A cop walked by when another group was setting up their top rope, and basically said to have fun. I heard yet another group mention a cop checking them out thinking they were spraying grafiti on the bridge. Then basically said to have fun upon realizing they were not graf artists. I have heard of the permit for Lillydale, but have never seen a police officer back there in any of my dozens of visits. Unfortunately, I think you may be right about the status of Minnehaha Falls regardless of a permit.

Dylan and Matt,

Thanks for all the info guys! The next time I'm in the T.C. area I'll have to bring the ice gear and get a few climbs in!

Yeah you have to get a permit through the city of St.Paul to climb any falls in the St Paul area, I doubt it's enforced. I think it's like 35 dollars. I'm from Mankato and I would maybe climb Franklin St. but the Brick Yards really limited climbers on height.

Now if your looking for something more of a day expedition there are more than 5 waterfall (DNR says 14+ falls) in Mankato that range from 30 feet to +45 feet and still more that are on my list to be discovered. Today my roomie and I just found a 2 pitch 45 footer that is a W3- after we climbed our dependable 30 footer. Also in the stretch along the Blue Earth River between the two falls was something like the brick yards were water was seeping between the sandstone layers.

If anyone is interested in hearing more let me know!

Red Leaf,

I am definitely interested in hearing more, and would be happy to join in the search for new climbable ice in the area.....and I like beer too.