Hyalite Canyon  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  45.2651, -110.5744 Map Page Views:  36,494. Good page? (4 likes)    Administrators:  grk10vq, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Joe Josephson on Oct 31, 2008 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 72° | 41° 68° | 45° 72° | 43° 64° | 39° 75° | 39°

Potential road closures in winter. MORE INFO >>> Visit www.hyalite.org for updates. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Hyalite Reservoir November 2010

Description 

With over 150 ice routes in less than 3 square miles, Hyalite Canyon represents the most concentrated, natural ice climbing venue in North America.

Home to all-time classics like "Cleopatra's Needle," "Black Magic," "Mummy Cooler," "Winter Dance," one of the top ten routes in the world (yes I said world), Hyalite is unique in every sense of that word.

The South Fork (Cody) might have more vertical but it's spread out and inconsistent with scrappy approaches. Keystone Canyon and Lake Willoughby certainly vie for the densest cliffs on the continent except for perhaps a few fjords in Newfoundland and Quebec once every 10 years. Ouray has way more concentrated ice than anywhere but most of it is in the ice park; the climbing equivalent of farm raised salmon (and about as overcrowded). Of course the Canadian Rockies, both the Mecca and Medina of the frozen world, has over 10 times the number of routes and all of them longer – but over an area roughly the size of Maryland. North Conway has killer ice; when it's not raining. I've been to them all so cut it anyway you like, declare yourself a hero because you prefer long alpine or mixed climbs, stir in whatever hyperbole you favor and pass the single malt; Hyalite is the most concentrated, easily accessible and consistent ice climbing venue in North America. And I'm not the only widely-traveled climber to say it's our favorite too.

Getting There 

South of Bozeman, MT about 45 minutes from Downtown, depending on road conditions. Routes range from 10 minutes to 2 hours from the car.
"Winter Dance" is the definitive guidebook in full color.
www.firstascentpress.com/winter-dance.html

The Classics

Featured Route For Hyalite Canyon

The Elevator Shaft WI4-  MT : Hyalite Canyon : The Unnamed Wall

This climb differs from others on the Unnamed Wall in that it is tucked away in a small, north facing cleft. It receives much less sun and is usually more brittle than nearby climbs such as The Fat One. However, this a great climb and a good transition for a WI 3 leader wanting to get a taste of leading steeper ice. The short initial pillar is WI 4 and the crux. The climbing becomes easier upon entering the narrow gully, which has a couple steeper steps and ends in a small bowl. A new chain anch...[more]   Browse More Classics in MT

Photos of Hyalite Canyon Slideshow

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The Scepter	climbers on the dribbles	winter dance!
Morning climb on G1	School Project	Responsible Family Men in splitter conditions
BETA PHOTO: Hyalite Goods	Sunny Hyalite Goods