Glenwood Canyon is an excellent place to ice climb. The routes, though few in number, make up for it by offering some of the best ice routes in Colorado. The ice-climbing season usually lasts all winter. However, the crux can be the approach, as a few of the climbs involve crossing the Colorado River. Be sure to catch dinner and a soak in the hot springs in Glenwood Springs after a day out on the ice. It is well worth the extra hour or two spent in town before heading back home. As you are cruising through Glenwood Canyon, be sure to check out Glenwood Falls. It is in you face, on the Northern side of the highway, at exit 125. You can just catch a glimpse of Hidden Falls as you pass exit 123. It is located high up on the hillside, on the south side of the highway. Hidden Falls is undoubtedly the area classic. Enjoy.
Getting There
The directions are very easy. Drive west or east, whichever the case may be, on I-70, until you reach Glenwood Canyon. You can't miss it. The most well-known ice climbs are located at exits 125, 123, and the Grizzly Creek rest area.
Park at the Shoshone rest area, underneath I-70. From here, the real crux of the day, can actually be crossing the Colorado River to obtain the south-side of Glenwood Canyon. There is water that's diverted from the river around here, so there are some shallower portions of river that, during cold weather, can form an ice bridge providing access to the other side. There is a dam, but crossing that is illegal, and I believe there are cameras that m...[more]
Glenwood Canyon Ice
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