Wild Basin  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  9,000' Page Views:  47,361. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Oct 24, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 61° | 41° 55° | 32° 50° | 32° 61° | 36° 64° | 45°

BETA PHOTO: Hidden Falls: 9 Jan. 07. The ice was quite hard an...

Description 

This is an organizational entry for the RMNP mixed/ice database. It includes ice climbs along the North St. Vrain drainage and possibly others if folks find things to climb along other waterways.

This is the most southern section of RMNP on the eastern side. Here lies a sprinkling of ice and mixed routes, including one of the more popular ice climbs in RMNP, Hidden Falls. If you're headed to Hidden Falls, expect a crowd (upwards of 20 people have wandered in), but take delight if you find solitude. Further uphill lies Ouzel Falls, a 50' climb which can be buried in snow by mid-winter. Even further uphill lies the potential for even grander adventures like Eagle Lake Ice. Probably, some of the more adventuresome souls like Duncan may have ventured here, but don't expect a well-packed trail. Beyond Ouzel Falls, few souls wander in the middle of winter.

Getting There 

From CO 7, perhaps 10 miles south of Estes Park, find the well-marked Wild Basin entrance (as of 2008, still no fee during the winter). Drive west as far as the road is plowed. This is usually ~1 mile short of the summer road terminus. Park. Walk, snowshoe, or ski in ~1.5 miles. You can take the horse trail on the south side of the creek or pass Copeland Falls and carefully cross the creek. Note pools in the creek can be quite deep.

Continue up the summer trail if headed to Ouzel Falls (3.7 miles) or further to Eagle Lake Ice.

The Classics

Featured Route For Wild Basin

Hidden Falls (main) WI4  CO : CO Ice & Mixed : ... : Hidden Falls

This is a nice fat flow that starts off mellow for about 20 feet up to small ledge--then about 55 feet of near vertical right up the middle of this flow. It definitely gets the blood flowing toward the end. Exiting left gains a tree for a TR anchor. Another tree to the right-center is good for the other side. The route is wide enough to allow two TRs at the same time. Some mixed terrain is fun to attempt on TR on the far right side. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO