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Secret Waterfall (aka Windy Saddle Ice Flow) Climbing

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Secret Waterfall (aka Windy Saddle Ice Flow) WI3

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Elevation:	6,500 ft
GPS:	39.7352, -105.2571 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	11,384 total · 71/month
Shared By:	Ken Trout on Feb 15, 2011
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Windy Saddle is a few miles up the Lookout Mountain Road, officially it is called Lariat Loop. The ice is a long way down below, on the west side of the parking lot. The flow is very well hidden and can't be seen from either the overlook or down on US 6. The easiest way to spot it is from the Stumbling Block, across the canyon.

Getting There

There are 3 approaches:

A. When the river is frozen, approach from below (~1000' gain). This can be VERY hazardous. See Brian's comment below.

B. Hiking down from Windy Saddle is possible but very strenuous. You can follow the drainage from the largest drainage ~20-30 minutes in. It will have bits of ice when the climb is in. Descent down (~1600') will take ~45-60 minutes. You can rappel in from a tree ~160' from the base of the ice. You can make an intermediate anchor at a stance ~100' down. Count on 1-1.5 hours to exit.

C. Per Bryan Ferguson: drop off the Beaver Brook trail at the rock outcropping well before the Secret Icefall drainage. This goes around the buttress to the east of the ice and deposits one at the base.