Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most popular attractions in Alaska and a very accessible glacier. The lowest area is the Difficult Cliff while the … The roaring cascades nearby can be heard for … Those are called erratics. Glacier caves … There’s plenty of space to explore and have a picnic. You’ll see a small bridge, but you have to climb down the slick rock. To be the crowds, do what my friend Lisa and I did. We decided to hike the loop counterclockwise to do the caves before the cascades. There are boulders on a huge slab of granite that look like they were just dropped there. Fee-based camping on the Aspen side of Independence Pass is available at Difficult Campground, Weller Campground, Lincoln Gulch and Lost Man Campground. You’ll want the traction on this short climb. Shortly after crossing the bridge, you see your first geological wonder. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. About the Author (Author Profile) Just a bouldering junkie … There are usually large slabs of ice, even in summer. Situated just off Colorado’s Highway 82 west of Independence Pass, the short but spectacular Grottos Trail is a must-see in the Aspen-Leadville area. As the sun starts to shine on the water, it’s extra beautiful. Category: Bouldering Areas, Colorado, United States, Videos. The sign isn’t easy to see driving from Aspen. Using hand tools and manual labor, Wheeler's crews established a toll road along the route of the trail that had been used by mule trains over the years. 2. Grottos Trail #2180 is an intermediate/moderate winter trail you can snowshoe that is dog friendly. Follow CO-82 for 42 miles into the town of Aspen. Enjoy. Chris seems pretty cool and unlike most top end boulderers he looks like he could crack some skulls, not that he would. The … The crags at Independence Pass are arrayed along CO-82 west of Aspen en route to the Pass itself at 12,000 feet. However, a cave that is completely formed within a block of ice, such as a glacier, is a glacier cave. To get to the trailhead from the Independence Pass Road (HWY 82) winter gate closure, travel 3.25 miles up the closed road to a sign on the right for the Grottos Day Use Area. When we made our visit in late July 2020, there were no ice caves in the literal sense of the word. The large stones were transported by a glacier and left behind after it melted about 18,000 years ago. Scott Sanchez | June 16, 2012 | Reply. Iceland Day 1- Reykjanes Peninsula and The Blue Lagoon Iceland Day 6- Husavik and Hofsos Mount Rainier, Washington WA- The San Juan Islands Aspen Ice Caves and Hanging Lake Black Canyon : Telluride : The Colorado National Monument St. Mary’s Glacier Blue Lake, Ward CO Great Sand Dunes National Park There are several nice picnic areas, and the trail holds two hidden gems unlike many of the other longer trails in the area, including the ice caves, where you can climb into "caves" with a floor of 3-4 feet of ice (at least in July). It only takes about five minutes to get to the sign for the ice caves. The parking lot is a little tricky to find. Sep 10, 2012 - Brought to you by Jon Glassberg and Louder Than 11. These two terms often get confused and people tend to talk about ice caves when they actually mean glacier caves. Walk across the slick rock to a clump of small trees in front of a protruding boulder. Author Jennifer Broome has spent a lot of time in and around Aspen in all seasons. Came across this cool footage today, from the good folks over at Louder Than 11, of some new boulder problems from the Ice Caves up on Independence Pass. The entrance is approx. Shaped by smooth walls and massive boulders, this palatial ice cave is known to feature vast ice formations, which can be seen often even into the summer months. To be the crowds, do what my friend Lisa and I did. Paige Claassen climbing The Vampire (V7) and Jon Glassberg making the first ascent of Light Cycle (V8) and Wild Hair (V11) in the Ice Caves at Independence Pass, CO. The early start also explains the no makeup look. To climb down, and back out, of the most popular attractions in Alaska a! Check out her blog on John Denver Sanctuary for one of her favorite spots town. At Independence Pass from Five Ten on Vimeo favorite spots in town do yourself a and! Not share posts by email your blog can not share posts by.. 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