McGraw Ranch Trailhead Climbing
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Elevation: | 7,820 ft | 2,384 m |
GPS: |
40.3753, -105.616 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 4,509 total · 22/month | |
Shared By: | Leo Paik on Jan 25, 2008 | |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Description
This is an obscure part of the park for ice/mixed climbing. In fact, it probably can/is ignored by virtually all ice climbers...maybe for a good reason.
Nonetheless, there are at least a few ice climbs in the area. At least 2 are listed in the Gillett RMNP High Peaks guide. For the sake of completeness, we'll add in this area. If you have any potential for complaining, it'd be best to climb elsewhere. If you like getting out and going where few go, you might try this area, but don't expect anything terribly difficult or long.
This accesses the drainage just north of Lumpy Ridge.
For the obvious, there are at least Bridalveil Falls, West Creek Falls, and Fox Creek Falls (tiny). There are likely some more, but these are probably the closest to the trailhead.
Nonetheless, there are at least a few ice climbs in the area. At least 2 are listed in the Gillett RMNP High Peaks guide. For the sake of completeness, we'll add in this area. If you have any potential for complaining, it'd be best to climb elsewhere. If you like getting out and going where few go, you might try this area, but don't expect anything terribly difficult or long.
This accesses the drainage just north of Lumpy Ridge.
For the obvious, there are at least Bridalveil Falls, West Creek Falls, and Fox Creek Falls (tiny). There are likely some more, but these are probably the closest to the trailhead.
Getting There
From Estes, you can go on the MacGregor Ave past the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, past Alligator Rock, to McGraw Ranch Rd. Follow this dirt road to a trailhead near the old McGraw Ranch buildings.
From Denver, take US 36 to Mall Rd (just before Lake Estes), go right, follow this to US 34, go left (west) to Dry Gulch Rd, go north (right), this becomes 63E, go left at the T with 61, connect this with the road that goes back to the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, go right on McGraw Ranch Rd (dirt).
It's probably 2-3 miles on McGraw Ranch Rd. to the trailhead.
There are very few parking spots here, but in the winter, the area seems much less crowded than in the summer.
From Denver, take US 36 to Mall Rd (just before Lake Estes), go right, follow this to US 34, go left (west) to Dry Gulch Rd, go north (right), this becomes 63E, go left at the T with 61, connect this with the road that goes back to the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, go right on McGraw Ranch Rd (dirt).
It's probably 2-3 miles on McGraw Ranch Rd. to the trailhead.
There are very few parking spots here, but in the winter, the area seems much less crowded than in the summer.
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