Rifle Mountain State Park  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  7,000' Page Views:  13,969. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Tymothe Meskel on Mar 19, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue 72° | 41° 72° | 41° 66° | 41° 64° | 39° 64° | 37°

Rifle.

Description 

This park has steep ice curtains that can solidify to become excellent ice climbs; however, due to the low altitude, conditions tend to be fickle. Climbs here range from WI4+-6.

Some nice footage of climbing here can be found on On Ice with Alex Lowe & Kitty Calhoun kicking it up.

Make sure you stop at the fee station and pay your fee! The rangers in this area are very strict. Pay attention to the signs posted at the fee station as there are usually fire bans, bear of cat sighting in the area you will need to be awhere of. There are tons ice and mixed climbs up here as well as tons of bolted climbs.

This submission was originally placed by some memory challenged admin who now reassigned the credit.

Getting There 

Exit the Rifle exit off I-70, west of Glenwood or east of Grand Junction. Take the first road north into town HWY 13. This road will turn into Railroad Ave. Take this road all the way through the town until it becomes Hwy 13 again. At the bowling alley, head east on HWY 325. Follow that road past the golf course and Rifle Falls, and you will reach a sharp left hand turn, past the fishing hatchery (you can't miss it). Thanks, Tymothe Meskel! It's more than me pea brain can keep in mind. I always seem to get a bit lost.

The Classics

Featured Route For Rifle Mountain State Park

Soul On Ice WI5+  CO : CO Ice & Mixed : ... : West Side of the Canyon

This formation is big enough to support more than one lead line with the easiest being WI5 (today) and the hardest being WI5+. I'm sure there are years 5+ is the easiest line and a WI6 line exists. The top, like most of Rifle's ice climbs, is dirty and the ice can start falling apart. Very comforting to finally get into the rappel anchor. I do love being able to stage for lead right at the car. More incredible Rifle ice. : ) ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Rifle Mountain State Park Slideshow

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