McGraw Ranch Trailhead  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  7,820' Page Views:  1,420. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Jan 25, 2008 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 64° | 37° 63° | 39° 70° | 46° 72° | 48° 72° | 45°

Bridalveil's lower bit.

Description 

This is an obscure part of the park for ice/mixed climbing. In fact, it probably can/is ignored by virtually all ice climbers...maybe for a good reason.

Nonetheless, there are at least a few ice climbs in the area. At least 2 are listed in the Gillett RMNP High Peaks guide. For the sake of completeness, we'll add in this area. If you have any potential for complaining, it'd be best to climb elsewhere. If you like getting out and going where few go, you might try this area, but don't expect anything terribly difficult or long.

This accesses the drainage just north of Lumpy Ridge.

For the obvious, there are at least Bridalveil Falls, West Creek Falls, and Fox Creek Falls (tiny). There are likely some more, but these are probably the closest to the trailhead.

Getting There 

From Estes, you can go on the MacGregor Ave past the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, past Alligator Rock, to McGraw Ranch Rd. Follow this dirt road to a trailhead near the old McGraw Ranch buildings.

From Denver, take US 36 to Mall Rd (just before Lake Estes), go right, follow this to US 34, go left (west) to Dry Gulch Rd, go north (right), this becomes 63E, go left at the T with 61, connect this with the road that goes back to the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, go right on McGraw Ranch Rd (dirt).

It's probably 2-3 miles on McGraw Ranch Rd. to the trailhead.

There are very few parking spots here, but in the winter, the area seems much less crowded than in the summer.

Featured Route For McGraw Ranch Trailhead

Bridalveil Falls WI2 PG13  CO : CO Ice & Mixed : ... : McGraw Ranch Trailhead

This is definitely an obscure line that won't raise an eyebrow among most ice climbers. Still, if you were looking for an easy route in an uncrowded setting, a micro-explore, or just wanting to tick off one more route in RMNP...this may be a line for you.Pick a cold, cloudless day during a cold stretch, if you can...although in the December it doesn't get sun.This climb has a steeper bit for the first 30 feet or so on a thinner-than-it-looks shell, then it kicks back with a few short, low-angle...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO