Nymph Lake  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  3,846. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Dec 5, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Conditions on 12/4/02

Description 

This is a pleasant short cliff, described in B. Gillett's excellent guidebook, that holds a variety of leaner ice and mixed lines that requires very little effort for the approach. This cliff is easily ignored by those in search of demanding, longer, classic lines. However, for those interested in a shorter, lighter sampling of RMNP ice, find at least 9 lines varying from WI3 to M7 here. Generally the lines are less than vertical though some of the starts can be steeper. Most lines can be led or toproped. Rock gear and short ice screws should be included if you want to lead. Long slings are useful for TRs. Some of the lines do catch sun here and the gearup area can be bathed in glorious winter sunlight in the morning. B. Gillett's guidebook warns of avalanche potential. Use caution.

There is another area nearby with Olympics Games, but that probably should be added under Chaos Creek.

Getting There 

Enter RMNP via the Beaver Meadows (southern) entrance and turn L shortly after passing the entrance station. Go to the end of the road at Bear Lake's large parking lot. Take the trail towards Dream & Emerald Lake 0.5 miles to Nymph Lake. Go to the far end of the lake on the trail. Just after the trail takes a sharp L turn, break off R perhaps 50 yards to a 80-100 foot cliff with ice dripping down. This should be no more than 150 yards from Nymph Lake.

You can see some of the Keyboard of the Winds from here.

The Classics

Featured Route For Nymph Lake

Icecapade WI3-4  CO : CO Ice & Mixed : ... : Nymph Lake

This is the L most climb of the cliff at Nymph Lake. Short (perhaps 30-35 feet) but it can certainly be interesting. This flow can form up in a continuous chunk of ice (WI3-) or be two separate ice bits with a high step to connect them (WI4- R). You can lead this or TR this (access via the gully to the L). You can descend the ramp, rap from the big tree, or continue up on low angle (but thin) ice to the top. If it is fat, you can probably cruise this without much of a thought and wonder why...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

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BETA PHOTO: Nymph Lake cliffs, Jan 11, 2004, right side.