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Routes in Ypsilon Mountain
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Blitzen Face T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b |
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Blitzen Ridge T 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c |
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Prancer Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b |
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Y Couloir (Left Branch) 5.0 2- 4 I 6 MM 1c X |
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Y Couloir (Right Branch) T 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c |
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| Type: | Trad, Alpine, Grade III |
| FA: | unknown |
| Page Views: | 1,225 total · 5/month |
| Shared By: | Julian Smith on Aug 2, 2003 |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
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Access Issue: Closures
Details
Seasonal closures Feb. 15-July 31. Per the Denver Post:, the Cathedral Wall and all areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off-trail travel! Per this RMNP website, "Initial closures now occur in Feb. 15 and April, when raptors return to the region and scout for nesting sites. Areas containing general habitat preferred by raptors are closed during this time. Once raptors have selected nesting spots, the initial closures are lifted or adjusted. The specific areas which raptors choose for nesting sites are closed."
For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.
General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.
For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.
General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.
Description
Prancer Ridge ascends a ridge on the left hand side of the cirque formed by the east face of Mount Yipsilon. It is entirely separate from the Donner Ridge but finishes in the same spot.
Approach as for Spectacle Lakes. After getting to Yipsilon Lake, go all the way down to the lake and cross a bridge. Immediately after the bridge, find a faint trail that goes uphill, following the inlet stream to Yipsilon Lake. The trail stays mostly on the north side of the inlet stream. After about a quarter of a mile, look for a stream coming in from the north that cascades down a very steep gully. It is just after the trail crosses a small wooden bridge. Cairns give some idea of which way the trail goes up the gully. By picking a way carefully and weaving around any obstacles, it is easier than it looks. The reward is the splendor of Spectacle Lakes. These are truly a hidden jewel. Fortunately, it takes a lot of work to get there. It keeps the riff raff down.
Work around the Spectacle Lakes on the left or south side. At first, detour high around a cliff that blocks the beginning of the first lake. The rest of the way around both lakes is pretty easy.
There are 2 ways to approach the start of the ridge that forms the left hand side of the cirque formed by the east face of Mount Yipsilon. The 1st and most direct is to climb straight up the snowfield at the back of the second lake up to the point where the Y Couloirs branch off in separate directions. The ridge immediately to the left of the left hand branch of the Y-Couloir is the objective. This requires climbing a long snowfield, even into August. Some technical rock may be exposed about halfway up the snow field. A much saner option, especially if you are inclined to climb mostly on rock, is to approach from the left and angle up to the beginning of the ridge from the 2nd lake. The angle of the traverse will be obvious as you work your way around the lakes. Just look for a series of grassy ledges leading up and to the left, terminating just below the start of the ridge.
Once established on the ridge, begin climbing up and to the left, generally keeping with the crest of the ridge. Weave left at first to surmount a small roof, but in general, stick with the path of least objectionable rock. It is pretty gross in places. Don't blink or you will miss the crux. Come to think of it, I can't remember where this route is 5.6 at all. Overall, it makes for a neat day of scrambling, if you are inclined to do so. This route isn't recommended necessarily as a roped, technical climb, but it probably would make a dandy of a winter route, if you could get to it. Climb the ridge line to its top. This is the junction of Donner Ridge and the summit plateau of Mount Yipsilon. The true summit is just a short scramble to the north or climber's right.
For a quick descent, turn left, or south and carefully descend the south face of Mount Yipsilon. It isn't very technical, just long. At the bottom of the cirque, turn left or east and work your way back to Yipsilon Lake. Don't forget to look for the fixed technical Friend. It's reassuring to know you are actually on a route. Even though this climb gets 1 star, it is an awesome day out in a remote wilderness setting where you will probably not run into any other people above tree line and very little evidence of people having traveled before you. Cheers.
Approach as for Spectacle Lakes. After getting to Yipsilon Lake, go all the way down to the lake and cross a bridge. Immediately after the bridge, find a faint trail that goes uphill, following the inlet stream to Yipsilon Lake. The trail stays mostly on the north side of the inlet stream. After about a quarter of a mile, look for a stream coming in from the north that cascades down a very steep gully. It is just after the trail crosses a small wooden bridge. Cairns give some idea of which way the trail goes up the gully. By picking a way carefully and weaving around any obstacles, it is easier than it looks. The reward is the splendor of Spectacle Lakes. These are truly a hidden jewel. Fortunately, it takes a lot of work to get there. It keeps the riff raff down.
Work around the Spectacle Lakes on the left or south side. At first, detour high around a cliff that blocks the beginning of the first lake. The rest of the way around both lakes is pretty easy.
There are 2 ways to approach the start of the ridge that forms the left hand side of the cirque formed by the east face of Mount Yipsilon. The 1st and most direct is to climb straight up the snowfield at the back of the second lake up to the point where the Y Couloirs branch off in separate directions. The ridge immediately to the left of the left hand branch of the Y-Couloir is the objective. This requires climbing a long snowfield, even into August. Some technical rock may be exposed about halfway up the snow field. A much saner option, especially if you are inclined to climb mostly on rock, is to approach from the left and angle up to the beginning of the ridge from the 2nd lake. The angle of the traverse will be obvious as you work your way around the lakes. Just look for a series of grassy ledges leading up and to the left, terminating just below the start of the ridge.
Once established on the ridge, begin climbing up and to the left, generally keeping with the crest of the ridge. Weave left at first to surmount a small roof, but in general, stick with the path of least objectionable rock. It is pretty gross in places. Don't blink or you will miss the crux. Come to think of it, I can't remember where this route is 5.6 at all. Overall, it makes for a neat day of scrambling, if you are inclined to do so. This route isn't recommended necessarily as a roped, technical climb, but it probably would make a dandy of a winter route, if you could get to it. Climb the ridge line to its top. This is the junction of Donner Ridge and the summit plateau of Mount Yipsilon. The true summit is just a short scramble to the north or climber's right.
For a quick descent, turn left, or south and carefully descend the south face of Mount Yipsilon. It isn't very technical, just long. At the bottom of the cirque, turn left or east and work your way back to Yipsilon Lake. Don't forget to look for the fixed technical Friend. It's reassuring to know you are actually on a route. Even though this climb gets 1 star, it is an awesome day out in a remote wilderness setting where you will probably not run into any other people above tree line and very little evidence of people having traveled before you. Cheers.
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