Lake City Ice Park

Photos

Pat Brehm and Bix Firer take advantage of easy toprope access on a bluebird day at Lake City Ice Park.
Emma Walker

Waiting for his turn on the rope, Kim Kosmitis tools around in the otherworldly ice cave.
Emma Walker

lake city — The cozy hamlet of Lake City, as seen from the ice park's toprope access, is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Emma Walker

About

Summary

Come for the ice climbs, stay for the authentic, down-to-earth mountain town vibe. Located just over Engineer Pass from the ice climbing mecca of Ouray, Lake City Ice Park has something to offer seasoned pros, first-timers, and everyone in between.

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Written by

Emma Walker

Distance

0.0 miles

Destination Distance From Downtown

172.4 miles

Difficulty

3 of 5 diamonds

Lake City Ice Park features a variety of ice and mixed routes, ranging in length from 60 to 100 feet. All routes have toprope access, so while the ability to lead ice isn't a must, parties should have knowledge of climbing systems to build safe anchors.

Time To Complete

1 hours

Time required for a day here depends on the number of routes you climb, their difficulty, and whether you plan to lead or toprope them. The ice park is less than a hundred yards from the streetside parking area, so there's no approach to the base of the climbs. A well-trodden path on looker's left—you'll want your crampons on for this—leads to the top of the climbs, where posts and trees are available for anchor building.

Seasonality

Winter

The climbs are usually in by early January, and Lake City Ice Climbs keeps farming the ice until it melts in the spring.

Dog Friendly

Dogs aren't prohibited by any specific regulations here, but they don't mix well with ice climbing: crampons on everyone's feet and enough falling ice that humans wear helmets at all times mean pups should steer clear of the ice park.

Fees Permits

Yes

Lake City Ice Park is free to use, but climbers must sign a release. Waivers are available at several spots around town, most conveniently at the High Country Market on Gunnison Avenue, which marks the turnoff for the ice park.

Land Website

Lake City Ice Park - Ice Climbing

Review

Intro

Lake City’s first brush with fame came in 1875, when guide Alferd Packer notoriously returned to town after wintering over in the remote backcountry—having eaten the rest of his prospecting party. The sensational tale is memorialized in the Hinsdale County Museum and at a “Packer Bar” (featuring images of both a football player from Green Bay and the infamous Alferd) on Silver Street, but don’t worry: the guides you'll run into at Lake City Ice Park are more likely to offer you a turn on their ropes than to cannibalize you. Much of the town shuts down in winter, but a small grocery store and a couple of bars stay open to supply the growing stream of ice climbers.

What Makes It Great

After a few seasons, Lake City Ice Park has hit its stride: the park, just a few blocks from the quaint main drag, features hundreds of collective feet of climbing on high-quality farmed ice. Toprope access means it’s approachable for those putting on crampons for the first time, but experienced climbers will relish the opportunity to toprope a tricky mixed route. (The Mountain Project page for the ice park aptly describes the range of routes as “WI3 to M-Scary.”)

Bolted anchors and abundant trees mean you won’t need ice screws, but they’re set fairly far back from the edge of the cliffs—bring a static 60-meter rope for anchors to avoid having to pick apart the frozen water knots in your webbing at the end of the day. Most routes are about 60 to 100 feet, though a couple of shorter routes—looker’s left from the base of the climbs—offer a chance to warm up or try out a new pair of ice tools before committing.

While there’s no charge to climb here, the park is run by Lake City Ice Climbs, Inc., which relies on donations—maintenance for high-quality ice doesn’t come cheap. Consider dropping a few bucks in the small red donation kiosk next to the port-a-john.

Who is Going to Love It

The climbing at Lake City Ice Park is suited for climbers of all ability levels, though knowledge of climbing systems is a must for at least one member of any party in order to safely lead or set topropes. Groups with less experience are in luck: you can hire a guide to show you the ropes. Anyone who leaves the parking area should be equipped with a helmet to protect from falling ice, and you’ll want crampons on to venture up to the anchors at the top of the cliffs.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

From Denver, it takes about five hours to drive to Lake City. Follow US-285 S and US-50 W to CO-149 S in Gunnison County. CO-149 becomes Gunnison Avenue in Lake City. After signing a waiver in town, take a right onto Second Street, followed in three blocks by a left of Bluff Street. Almost immediately, you’ll see the climbs on the left—park on either side of the road.

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