LAKE CITY CLIMBING FIELD GUIDE
Climbing Glass: Frozen Waterfalls of the San Juans
A full-day, guide-led experience in the Lake City area that covers everything from first swings on ice to advanced multi-pitch ascents—useful for planning which route and gear level fits your goal.
Climbing Glass: Frozen Waterfalls of the San Juans.
Ice climbs around Lake City thread through steep, winter-lit couloirs and frozen waterfalls in the San Juans and beyond. With guided instruction from Colorado Climbing Company, climbers can learn fundamentals—crampons, ice tools, and movement on vertical ice—or push into large backcountry and multi-pitch objectives in the same region.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
San Juan frozen waterfalls and ice park lines
Lake City and the surrounding San Juans offer frozen waterfalls and an ice park close to town alongside larger backcountry lines—terrain that provides both approachable routes for newcomers and dramatic ice for experienced climbers.
Progression from first swings to multi-pitch routes
Guides lead climbers from basic introductions—tool swings, crampon use, and single-pitch ice—to more advanced objectives such as multi-pitch climbs, including examples like The Sherman Route.
Expert instruction across Colorado terrain
Colorado Climbing Company provides guided ice climbing throughout the state, tailoring locations and objectives so participants can develop technique or pursue challenging mixed and alpine climbs under expert supervision.
What the day feels like
What a day on the ice feels like
A typical outing unfolds over a full day of instruction and climbing: gear and technique sessions followed by guided ascents on frozen falls or cliffs selected for the group’s ability. The rhythm of swinging tools, placing front points, and linking moves on ice is paced by guides who can move a climber from basic skills to multi-pitch exposure within the same region.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Participants must provide transportation to climbing sites or lodging, personal clothing and footwear, snacks and water, and plan for guide gratuities and trip insurance. Other costs not provided by the operator are the participant’s responsibility.
Meeting location varies by route and conditions; confirm meeting details with the operator prior to the trip and arrange your own transport to the agreed pickup point.
Bring funds or arrangements for guide gratuities and any costs not associated with services provided by Colorado Climbing Company; participants should also consider trip insurance.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the outing?
The outing is an eight-hour, full-day experience.
Where do we meet?
Meeting locations vary; the operator confirms the specific meeting point based on the chosen climb and conditions.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must be at least 8 years old.
How many people are in a group?
Group size is up to eight people.
What should I bring for the climb?
Bring personal clothing and footwear suitable for winter climbing, snacks and water, transportation to the site or lodging, guide gratuities, trip insurance, and funds for any additional costs not provided by the company.
Do I need previous ice-climbing experience?
The program accommodates both beginners and advanced climbers, with guided instruction progressing from basic skills to more advanced climbs as appropriate.