St. Vrain ice  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  25,453. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Nov 8, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 55° | 30° 50° | 34° 54° | 37° 61° | 36° 66° | 36°

Edward gaining on the 3rd ascent.

Ice Climbing 

This is an obscure ice area that has had reports of ice over the years but little specific details. It could be split into lower and upper South St. Vrain, Middle St. Vrain, North, and Dry St. Vrain drainages. The upper and lower stretches may be separated by the Peak to Peak Highway (upper CO Hwy 72).

Some ice dribbles have been known to form along the road in the S. St. Vrain drainage upstream from Lyons. Mention of one of these is in Cameron Burns' Colorado Ice Climber's Guide. However, others have reported more ice here in previous, wet and cold years. Some thin roadside ice climbs have formed in the Narrows along the S. St. Vrain. Some interesting lines have been done in Deadman's Gulch.

Some ice has been reported in the upper drainages of the Middle St. Vrainpast the Peaceful Valley Campground. Jack Roberts' mentions a three of these on the North-facing side in his Colorado Ice and this has been entered on the website under S St Vrain Peak. However, Deb and others have spotted ice forming up on the South-facing side as well.

Now, Mike Hughes had added information about the Dry St. Vrain drainage which has a nice treat.

Getting There 

Lower South St. Vrain drainage can be accessed from Lyons by driving up CO Hwy 7 and keeping a look out for ice on the South side of the road (N facing).

Upper Middle St. Vrain drainage is accessed by walking, snowshoeing, or skiing up the valley from Peaceful Valley along the Peak to Peak Highway. This is South of Estes Park, North of Ward, West of Lyons.

Link to S. St. Vrain Rock 

link.

The Classics

Featured Route For St. Vrain ice

Dead Men Chipping WI4+ R  CO : CO Ice & Mixed : ... : East of Peak to Peak - S. S...

This is a long, fantastic pitch of thin ice that forms up infrequently. It is located in the south fork of Deadman Gulch, which is a side drainage in the lower part of South Saint Vrain Canyon, 3.6 miles up CO Hwy 7 from the west end of Lyons (0.0 mile is the intersection of US Hwy 36 and CO 7). Parking is difficult after snow storms due to the plowed snowbanks along the hwy -- if the snowbanks are gone, it's a good bet the ice is as well.When it's in, the first half is a narrow flow of 70-deg...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO