Clear Creek Canyon (CCC) is aptly situated along Clear Creek, just west of Golden.
Several sites along US 6 in Clear Creek Canyon between Golden and Black Hawk produce surprisingly fun ice climbs in a casual setting. Some of the climbs in the upper canyon form consistently every year, while others at lower elevations form up less frequently. All the climbs except for those in the Aqueduct area are formed by natural drainages that feed Clear Creek. All climbs are on the left side of the road, on the opposite side of the creek on the northern aspect where they are shaded from the sun most of the day. Therefore, the ice tends to be clear water ice.
The easy access of these climbs from the road and their proximity to the Denver Area, make these climbs some of the most popular and crowded climbs on the Front Range. Be patient and considerate of other parties on the ice. Wear your helmet, belay out of the way of the path of icefall, call your falling ice, and always be aware of other parties. All of the climbs in Clear Creek Canyon are capable of being toproped, but also make for exciting beginner leads. Even if you arrive first, don’t hog the ice with grid topropes that you aren’t climbing on. Allow others to solo or lead past when you are not occupying your lines. These climbs are an incredible resource that we all can share.
Getting There
From Denver, find your way onto 6th Ave or US 6 and go to Golden and the intersection with Hwy 93.
From Boulder, take Hwy 93 (Broadway) straight S into Golden.
Then take a W on US 6 into Clear Creek Canyon into the canyon. Little Eiger is about 3 1/2 miles upstream from Tunnel 1. It is just S of the first bridge uphill from Tunnel 1. If you get to Tunnel 2, you've gone too far.
Pullouts can be found along the highway, and most approaches are about 1-5 minutes.
Location
Per Brian Tessier: From the intersection of US 6/6th Ave, CO 58 and CO Highway 93 in Golden. Head west on US 6 towards Central City and Blackhawk... Beer Gardens on left at 2.8 miles. Coors Lite on left at 3.8 miles. Coors Light Exit Crack is a var of P2. In between is the modest-sized cliff known as Little Eiger. Mickey's Bigmouth on left at 4.3 miles. Red Stripe is a variation of P1. (+/- on the mileage)
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Little Eiger area - ice:
This is one of those "short but sweet" kind of routes. In early season it can be difficult (thin and steep) but later on it fattens up nicely. ...[more]Browse More Classics in CO
Could someone who knows the area add a clear description of the LOCATION of these lines?
By Brian Tessier From: Lakehood, Colorado Feb 8, 2008
From the intersection of US 6/6th Ave, CO 58 and CO Highway 93 in Golden. Head west on US 6 towards Central City and Blackhawk. Aqueduct flows on left before tunnel #1 Beer Gardens on left at 2.8 miles Coors Lite on left at 3.8 miles Mickey's Bigmouth on left at 4.3 miles (+/- on the mileage)
I finally got up there tonight to see what was going on and noticed that the farmed ice was gone... anyone know why? I suspect the pipe helped the rest of the flow to form so large in the past few years.
LEFT GEAR 2/24: Hi, I left a few slings and a locking BD biner at the second (or third) belay up on the Little Eiger flows today. Epic weather forced an epic bailout, and all had to be left behind.
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