Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 8,697 ft
GPS: 38.02546, -107.32075
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 13,517 total · 62/month
Shared By: Ben Bruestle on Mar 19, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

Three walls close to town make up the overall park. In view of town is the ice directly below the city water tower (Pumpouse Park), with two larger (and stouter) areas just slightly further up the creek (Dynamite Shack, Beer Garden). Routes range from WI3-M scary. Pumphouse has fixed anchor posts, with trees providing anchors above the other walls. Walk up access path is located to climbers left at Pumphouse, and climbers right at Beer Garden. The Beer Garden walk up access also serves Dynamite Shack. Natural lines are found along Henson Creek between the three ice parks if you are there on just the right day. 

!! Routes at all three areas within the park typically require short to veeerry long anchor extensions to enable top roping. Cannot stress this enough. Numerous climbers have been caught short after tossing ropes. A 40 foot extension is not an exaggeration for some routes.Most routes are over 80 feet tall. Some routes at Dynamite Shack are over 200 feet tall. All routes are ice or mixed, without pre-placed protection. Seasons range from mid-December to ice melt, typically early April. 

From Garrett Bales: The Lake City Ice park is located approximately 1/6 mile up the Henson Creek road right out of the town of Lake City. The necessary permits have been obtained from the BLM, and the climbing is up and running. The San Juan Soda Company (downtown) is the hub for ice climbing rentals, gear, LC Ice Climbs shwag, and beta. And ice cream and coffee. And waffles. Ask for Christian, who owns the shop and farms the ice.

Lake City is a small town with few amentities, so plan accordingly. Try to support the local population. Donation tubes are located at all three areas. Donations = hose = more and earlier-season routes :) The ice park has been made possible by the Town of Lake City and a couple volunteers, namely Craig "Mad Dog", Mike Camp, Gabe McNeese, and Freeze. Aside from the ice park, Lake City offers some of the best ice climbing in the country. IXL Mountain and Tick Rock (AKA God's Crag), home to Jedi Mind Tricks, are just a couple of areas quick off the mind. Rock on.

Getting There Suggest change

Walk or drive to where Henson Creek meets up with Lake City on the west edge of town.

From Garrett Bales: Go to Lake City, CO. Mapquest works great, Once in Lake City go to Henson Creek Road also called Engineer Pass road, right on the outskirts of town. Look across the river at the cliff side with all the obvious ice routes on it, get out and pick a line.

10 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Lake City Ice Park Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Lake City Ice Park

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
More Classic Climbs in Lake City Ice Park »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading