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: 8,838 ft
GPS: 39.63215, -106.2975
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 35,376 total · 120/month
Shared By: Chris Zeller on Nov 29, 1999 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

VailÂ’s Firehouse area is another popular destination offering several climbs from the same approach trail. While the climbs here are shorter and less spectacular than the Designator Area, these climbs offer sustained steep sport-ice climbing on fat water ice or rock as fine as anywhere in the state.  As of 2021, several new drytooling routes have been added, making the Firehouse a bit more of a destination.  It offers steep face climbing, unique to the pink limestone and sandstone rock in this part of the cliffband.  

Getting There Suggest change

Take I-70 West out of Denver to Vail Ski Area. Exit on Exit #180 and follow residential roads (Bighorn Rd) to a dead-end. Park here on the right side of the road clear of the fire hydrant (marked by a flag). Parking here is at will of the residents so be very respectful of private property and leave plenty of room for the residents to access their houses. Parking in the Vail area is already highly restricted. The availability of access to these climbs rests with the behavior of the climbing community. DonÂ’t spoil it for everyone. Continue along a trail parallel to the cliff for a few hundred yards. Follow a steep gully a couple hundred feet directly up to the obvious ice above, Lowe Gravity Day. To get to FireHouse Pillar, move left on a narrow trail around the arĂŞte, past an overhung bulge to the ice.

Parking

Suggest change
Eds. Apparently, there may have been a change in the parking situation as of 2008. Please be aware. Anyone with better information is welcome to help update this situation.

Per Rob Griz: Updated 2/10. It appears that the owner of one of the duplex units on Willow Way is not psyched to see climbers park respectfully there, and has been calling Vail PD to ticket cars. After talking with Vail PD, your only options are to park in the public lot, just off of the East Vail exit or further down the road at Big Horn Park lot (not actually a lot, more like parking along the street adjacent to the park). From either location, you will need to walk down Lupine Rd to Willow Way to access the trail. Not a big deal, but a hassle in a town that is clueless in dealing with their parking issues. If you can find parking near a bus stop, use that and ride the bus to the intersection of Big Horn and Lupine Rds.

L->R:

Suggest change

work in progress, please be patient

Thanks to Colorado Mountain Journal for the info & to inspire the update.

Firehouse East

A. Lowe Commitment, M8-, 1p, 75', bolts.

B. High Pressure, M8, 1p, 60', screws & bolts.

C. Firehouse Pillar, WI4-5, 1p, 70', screws. Varies in location annually.

DE. Feel the Pressure, M8- PG-13, 1p, 65', bolts.

E. Lowe Pressure, WI5 M6, 1p, 80', bolts & screws.

F. Curtain (various lines), WI3-4, 1p, 70', screws.

G. The West of The East, WI2, 1p, 80', screws.

H. Lowe Standards, M7, 1p, 80', bolts.

Firehouse West

A. Lowe (Swingin’) Balls, M6+, 1p, 80', gear.

B. Lowe Angle, M5, 1p, 80', gear & bolts.

C. Blade Runner, M7, 1p, bolts.

D. West Corner, WI3+ M4, 1p, 95', gear.

E. 2nd Leftmost of Left of Right, WI4-5 M4, 1p, 95', TR?

F. The East of The West, WI3+, 1p, 95', screws.

FH1. Variation, WI3+ M3, 1p, 100', screws.

G. Lowe Rider, M7, 1p, 70', bolts & screws.

HI1. Lowe Hanging Fruitboots, WI 4-5 M6+, 1p, 80', bolts & screws.

I1. Lowe Gravity aka Right of Right, WI4, 1p, 95', screws.

I2. Meat Puppets, WI5 M7+, 1p, screws & bolts, prow to curtain.

J. Eastern Xpansion, WI4+ M6+, 1p, 105', bolts & gear.

K. Rehab is for Quitters, M6+, 1p, 85', bolts.

L. Modus Operandi, M7-, 1p, 70', bolts.

M. Silver-Tongued Devil, WI5+ M6, 1p, 80', gear.

150m further right/west

N. Unknown, M6+, 1p, 85', gear.

22 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Firehouse Area Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Firehouse Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
More Classic Climbs in Firehouse Area »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

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