Ouzel Falls area  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  9,400' Page Views:  290. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Feb 28, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 72° | 45° 68° | 43° 64° | 41° 63° | 41° 59° | 37°

Ouzel Falls in warmer conditions.

Description 

This area has a climb that can be fickle, fun, or even "not worth the walk" depending on the time of year and your desired type of climb. Still, it may tickle the imagination of a few determined souls (or fools) who just want to see things in person.

So, from what I can gather, the main climb may or may not be in during some Decembers, may be decent in January, and may be a low-angled, fanned out snow/ice climb in February or March. With its low altitude and SSE aspect, you may find mushiness on sunny days.

There is another snow-filled slot just to the left of Ouzel Falls that may be climbable.

As with many waterfall ice climbs, you may find these climbs to have a relatively thin shell that can be penetrated with ice screws or extra firm swings or kicks.

Sorry, we forgot cameras...dang.

Getting There 

From the winter parking lot (1.2 miles from the Wild Basin entrance station), walk along the road ~1 mile to the trailhead/warming cabin area. Continue past Copeland Falls (~1.3 miles), past the Pine Ridge campsite, past the turnoff for the Tahosa/Aspen Knoll/Twin Lakes/North St. Vrain campsites (~2.4 miles), past Calypso Cascades (~2.7 miles) which doesn't have climbing, contour WNW to a last few switchbacks on a blunt ridge to the signed "Ouzel Falls" (~3.7 miles). Elevation gain is close to 1000'. Expect 2-3 hours.

While often you can find the trail packed by snowshoers and not requiring flotation, skis can be nice for a quicker exit. Expect 1-1 1/4 hours if you ski out. Actually, the ski out may be the highlight of your day.

Featured Route For Ouzel Falls area

Ouzel Falls WI2 Easy Snow  CO : CO Ice & Mixed : ... : Ouzel Falls area

This is a climb that can vary dramatically in its appearance, steepness, and protectability. Apparently, according to a couple guidebooks, this can be a WI3...likely in January or late December? Later in the season, this can probably be a boot only snow slog. So, probably a WI1-3 rating would be most descriptive, but that isn't an option.The climb gets early sun. The left side of the climb is in the shade at 12pm. The rest of the climb goes into the shade ~215pm.As with many waterfall ice c...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO