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Overflow and Jewell Lake Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Overflow and Jewell Lake

	Cave T WI2-3
	Center T WI2-3

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Elevation:	10,574 ft	3,223 m
GPS:	40.28331, -105.64393 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	11,373 total · 54/month
Shared By:	Richard Rossiter on Jan 2, 2008 · Updates
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Regulations Details

General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.

Description

Overflow is a broad ice apron on the lower east face of Thatchtop Mountain, about 200 yards south of Jewell Lake and maybe 100 yards west of the Glacier Gorge Trail. The area is very secluded and is difficult to see from the trail. This year (2007/2008) the ice is very good and somewhat more extensive than when it was first climbed in 1977. Though not very tall (70 to 80 feet) the curtain is maybe 200 feet wide and offers 4 or 5 interesting lines of ascent. The routes are not too challenging, mostly WI3 M0 but are great fun. To escape from the top, wallow down steep snow to the south or rappel from trees.

Getting There

Begin from the Glacier Gorge parking area, and don show shoes or skis as necessary. Follow the line of the summer trail to the Shortcut, but don't take the Shortcut. Turn right (west) and follow an unnamed drainage (usually tracked) until it is easy to veer south and gain the main trail near the Loch Vale Trail junction. Proceed west and take all the left branches in the trail. Follow the general line of the summer trail to the log bridge across Glacier Creek, stay right and follow the creek to Mill's Lake. Head south across the frozen lake (normally safe until May) and continue across Jewell Lake, beyond which the valley bottom can be followed all the way to Black Lake. Look for a large boulder on the left side of the trail maybe 100 yards past Jewell Lake. Go straight west over/around windfall and across Glacier Creek. The ice flow will be obvious about 200 feet above the creek.