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| Elevation: | 10,257 ft | 3,126 m |
| GPS: |
38.13067, -107.52155 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 12,920 total · 146/month | |
| Shared By: | mike d on Nov 11, 2018 | |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Description
For those weary of queuing up for hacked-out ice, the Cimarrons offer solitude and climbs that may go untouched for seasons. The ice typically forms early- to mid-November, and the roads may become impassable to vehicles by early December. A truck with 4WD and reasonable tires will be required most seasons, and it's not a bad idea to carry chains. Snow machines will provide access year-round, but avalanche danger becomes a concern with significant snow accumulation. Some routes don't form until late winter, and many last well into April, so this is a great place to slake your undying thirst for ice long after everyone else has hung up their tools and gone rock climbing.
The history of ice climbing here dates back to the '70s with ascents by the likes of Jeff Lowe, Tom Pulaski, Charlie Fowler, "Smoking Joe" Melley, Jimmy Newberry, Les Choy, Scotty Gilbert, and Doug Scott throughout the '80s and '90s. Justin Stirrett, Scott and Tom Adamson, and others started to put up routes in the late '90s with development continuing to the present. Our crew "discovered" this area in the 2010s and thought ourselves to have many firsts, but since connecting with Justin, we've bridged some of the historical gaps and have now recorded the original ascensionists and route names to the best of our knowledge.
Getting There
West, Middle, East Forks
21 miles east of Montrose (2.5 miles east of the town of Cimarron), turn south on Cimarron Road (signed for Silver Jack Reservoir). Follow this road past Silver Jack Reservoir to reach signed turnoffs for East Fork, then Middle Fork, and finally West Fork just below Owl Creek Pass. In winter the road is plowed 15.5 miles to a parking area and groomed from there to Owl Creek Pass.
Or, 17 miles south of Montrose, CR 8 provides access to the same areas via Owl Creek Pass. The road over Owl Creek Pass is steep and winding and can get slick with any amount of snow. In winter the road is plowed 8.3 miles to Vista Point and groomed from there to Silver Jack.
Little Cimarron, Fall Creek
1 mile east of Cimarron Road, turn south on Little Cimarron Road (FS 864). At roughly 10.5 miles, bear left at the fork (signed for Little Cimarron). After 16.5 miles (total), the Little Cimarron trailhead is reached on the right at the switchback. The Fall Creek trailhead is located another 4 miles up the road.
Little Cimarron is typically accessible longer than the main Cimarron forks. The Fall Creek trailhead is 1000 feet higher, and the road aspect is northeast, so it becomes difficult to reach as soon as logging operations cease.
Once the road gets snowed in a few miles from the highway, it's a very long way to the ice.
Cow Creek
1.8 miles north of Ridgway, turn east on County Road 10. At roughly 2.5 miles, bear right at the fork onto CR 10A. Around 4 miles (total), turn left onto CR 12. Or, 1/3 mile south of the stoplight in Ridgway, turn east on County Road 12. Either way, the Cow Creek trailhead is just over 12 miles from the highway.
The Cow Creek road can be a serious undertaking any time of year due to mud, steep hills, and potentially high water crossing(s). Due to the lower elevation, there's not likely to be much ice until the road is snowed under.
Classic Climbing Routes at Cimarron Mountains
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