Ice Cave Walls

BETA PHOTO: Ice Cave entrance

Description 

Across from the Wasteland is a sector of largely moderate climbs that usually gets excellent morning sun. For a good warm-up to the day's climbing, it is hard to beat this high concentration of moderate routes. The bulk of 20 or so routes tick in from 5.8 to 5.11 with a couple of 5.12 routes. Most routes are close to vertical, although expect to negotiate a few bulges and small "caves". The surfaces of most of these climbs has become very polished over time and you might want to take a rough brush along. A wet brush seems to help reduce the polish as well. Nothing is very long, and all of the routes have double bolt anchors for descent. The access trail will take you from the Ice Cave routes directly to the Bauhaus, so huddle up, suck down the java, and get ready for the crank fest just up-stream.

Getting There 

Park as for the Wasteland. Across the stream from the Wasteland and just at the point where the road crosses the stream you can pick up a trail that leads directly to the base of the Ice Cave Walls. Follow this up-stream, passing beneath the first huge ice cave. Routes start shortly after passing out of the cave. Route numbering reads left to right when facing the cave.

The Classics

Featured Route For Ice Cave Walls

Feline 5.11b  CO : Rifle Mountain Park : Ice Cave Walls

Feline is a line thats hard to miss. Its just upstream a ways from merry maids, the huge left facing dihedral. if you're on the ice caves side of the stream follow the path upstream from merry maids for about 60 yards (past the tiny cave) and you will see a dim fork in the trail, take it up left and there you are. you can also wade across the stream at a pull out just up the road from the bridge. Or you can walk downstream from the bauhaus. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO