Deep Creek Climbing

Deep Creek lies on the North side of CO Hwy 145. To get there, take CO Hwy 145 east (toward Telluride), then make a left (north) at Deep Creek Road (it's a Dirt Road directly across CO Hwy 145 from the CDOT Facility). Follow this road until you intersect with Last Dollar Road. Take a right (south-east) until you reach the Sheep Creek Trailhead. Hike, snowshoe or ski North on a wide dirt road until it curves/switchbacks left (west, then south). Follow this switchback until it cuts back north. Follow the trail, which should follow a creek. Cross to the East side of the creek, then look North and East for Ice. The first thing you will see are several hundred feet of slabby ice in front of you and slightly to your left. Then you will probably see "Deep Creek Staircase" directly North in a huge gully at the end of the valley. "Deep Thoughts", "Deep Space" and "Deep Shit" will appear to your right once you clear the woods.

Per ??: from the trailhead, you will follow trail #418.1b, this is an old road grade that heads north. Finding the actual trail through an open snow covered field can be challenging, so just be sure to head northeasterly up the hill from the trailhead until you're on the road grade. After about 1-1/4 miles, the road grade will intersect with Deep Creek Trail (#418) just after crossing Sheep Creek. From this intersection, follow Deep Creek Trail to the west (also a road grade) for approximately 1-1/4 miles where you run into an unnamed creek. According to the maps, this is where Iron Mountain Trail (#418.1c) heads north into the valley just west of Iron Mountain. In winter conditions, it's unlikely you will find the trail, if any remnants of the trail even exist here at all, so just head north into the valley along the creek following the path of least resistance. Once your view opens up into the valley, you will likely see the climb called Deep Creek Staircase. It's probably at least 1 mile from the Deep Creek Trail intersection with the creek to the base of any particular climb.

Estimates of the approach time to this area can be very misleading as it's entirely dependent on conditions, fitness, method of travel, etc. One source suggests a ludicrous approach time of 20 minutes. While this could be achieved using a snowmobile, motors are prohibited in the area, so dismiss that altogether. Even an approach time of 1 hour on skis is ambitious. Boot-packing the hike in and out is likely to be slow, arduous, and a test of your ability to suffer. Snowshoes are recommended as a minimum, and skis will certainly make the approach and return something enjoyable as opposed to something dreaded. The approximate distance to the climbs from the trailhead is about 3.5 miles (7 mile round trip).