Emerald Lake & vicinity

Description 

This is an organizational entry for the Tyndall Gorge area to help with understanding & organzing this bit of the database.

In this area are some of the classic, prized, sun-baked gems of RMNP, The Squid, Calamari, & Tentacles. There is room for more, if the conditions allow. They require some ideal mixture of sun, snow, and cold temperatures to form. These have been show-cased in various photos and in the once-popular, Vertigo Games from 1983. Here, you read that The Squid was once "the most spectacular single pitch of ice in Colorado." You see Duncan Ferguson & Jeff Lowe hiking the route, sans helmet or hat, in old leather boots, wearing Footfangs, & a vintage Hummingbird.

Note, due to its sunny aspect, these climbs have been known to collapse with climbers aboard.

Getting There 

Once on the eastern side of RMNP, drive to the end of Bear Lake Rd. Hike 1.1 miles to Dream Lake. Between Dream Lake & Emerald Lake (1.8 miles), look up & R toward the south face of Flattop. If they are in, get below your line and head uphill. Be aware of avalanche conditions on the approach slopes. Descend by walking left (west) from the top.

Featured Route For Emerald Lake & vicinity

The Squid WI5-6 M6-7  CO : CO Ice & Mixed : Emerald Lake & vicinity

This is one of The Parks classic ice and mixed routes. Reference Glenn Randall's "Vertigo Games" for some history and cool shots. In that book (1983), The Squid is referred to as "perhaps the most spectacular single ice pitch in Colorado".It can form as a pure ice route, or as a difficult mixed route, with two significantly different variations. The difficulties can range anywhere from Grade 4+ ice, to WI6 M7.I have climbed the route as a pure ic...[more]