Ice Mountain is a physical feature (summit) in Hampshire County. It’s kind of like a honeycomb, with all these little holes in the hillside rocks. In Hampshire County West Virginia, there is a small mountain ridge called Ice Mountain. Ice Mountain, Hampshire County, West Virginia. 5. “I get to see things that otherwise I would have to be 1000 of years away in time or thousands of miles away in distance to see… here in West Virginia.”. County 390 is an improved dirt road that passenger cars can use. “When it’s in bloom, it will have two lovely flowers that dangle. Call or visit the state's official site, West Virginia Maronites Preserving Food, Faith And Future, Before It’s Too Late, Hand Pies: Appalachian Chefs Give Global Food a Local Twist, Cattywampus: Puppetry, Pageantry Pulls Knoxville Together, Despite Challenges With Drug Addiction And Child Welfare, Some Find Ways Forward, A Family Cultivates Tradition With A Nearly-forgotten Tomato, Caitlin Tan, Mason Adams Named New Co-Hosts Of Inside Appalachia, Appalachian Bakers Find Flavor, Community In Locally Stone-milled Flour. Finding the proper route will be the key to a fulfilling and safe day on Ice Mountain. Don’t expect gentle slopes and broad ridges leading to a large summit plateau, consistent with nearby, Mount Huron or Mount Hope. In cooler months, dense, cold air sinks deep into the talus, and ice masses form inside. Unfortunately, Ice Mountain is currently falling apart faster than the rock misile flying down its east face. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. In West Virginia where you’d normally go to see it would be somewhere like Dolly Sods or Spruce Mountain but here it is growing fairly commonly around these ice vents.”. At 13,951-ft, Ice Mountain easily makes the 13,800-ft centennial thirteener category, Colorado’s 100 highest mountains. It’s here, that you’ll find the mysterious Ice Mountain. The hike begins at the base of Ice Mountain. That being said, Colonalpyat and I both agree that Ice Mountain was not as difficult as advertised. This is a rotten, and dangerous mountain. Historical records suggest that, years ago, ice could be found here, even in the heat of summer. There is parking here for about 10 cars. Others I could stick my head into. This 2-mile section of 4wd is not too technical or difficult but should only be attempted with high clearance vehicles. Aside from the occasional car, the town of North River Mills is quiet. Don't stop there. Today, you can’t find ice after April or May. “I always encourage visitors to Ice Mountain and other places like this to eat as many wine berries as you can,” said Powell. To line up a docent, contact Steve Bailes in advance. When hiking the central Sawatch Range, there are a few things you can count on, long approaches, plenty of vertical gain, and endless class 2 hiking. One of the smaller ice vents at Ice Mountain. There’s also wild rose, partridge berry, oak fern, and a weird sounding plant called skunk currant. Ice Mountain has been featured in AAA and National Geographic Travel magazines. I would start by figuring out a time to be on the summit. --Randy Goebel, Routes Ice Mountain proves that descriptive words like “steep,” “rugged,” and “rotten” can be beautiful to photograph, that’s why a brilliant shot of Ice Mountain graces the cover of the popular centennial thirteener book by author Gerry Roach. This address can also be written as 30 Ice Mountain … My water tastes amazing. Ice Mountain is located near North River Mills off Cold Stream Road between Slanesville and Capon Bridge. Due to the excess of varying trip reports, Ice initially made me apprehensive. Second, if at all possible, drive to the TH the night prior to your climb. Looking beautiful doesn’t necessarily equate to good climbing. I would venture to say that Ice Mountain has about 20-ft of climbing that either the Maroon Bells or Pyramid cannot match via their standard routes. The Three Apostles rest within the backbone of the Colorado Continental Divide, the Sawatch Range. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. If you climb Ice before late July come prepared to use your ice axe. You stated: 17S E 706654 N 4352784. Historical records suggest that, years ago, ice could be found here, even in the heat of summer. Several trained volunteers take people on about 125 guided hikes a year. 30 Ice Mountain DR is a house in Slanesville, WV 25444. I recently visited Ice Mountain to find out if ice could still be spotted, and to check out the rare plant species that have existed here since the last ice age. Ice Mountain Preserve Nature Conservancy Preserve CountryUnited States State: West Virginia County: Hampshire Elevation: 1,509 ft (459.9 m) Coordinates: 39°21′48″N 78°28′01″W Nearest towns: Slanesville, WV; Capon Bridge, WV in West Virginia Historical Markers. If you’re climbing Ice during the monsoon season (middle July-late August) get an early start, like 4:00 a.m. For example, the Ice Mountain is a Nature Conservancy preserve ( www.nature.org ). Jim and I knew we needed to be on the summit no later than 9:00 am, and a 4:00 a.m. start would guarantee that for climbers of our abilities. “This little plant here, some people call it a dwarf dogwood, some people call it a bunch berry. Its flavor was a crisp lemon-lime taste with a splash of real juice. ((Rt. Photo by ColonelpyatFirst, realize that the crux of this climb involves steep class 4 climbing in a north-facing couloir. An old white house, with a wooden porch, is draped in the shade of three sugar maples. "Breadth-first search is the bulldozer of science." Ownership: Private Expect tedious bouldering, difficult route finding, and steep class 4 climbing, similar to Pyramid Peak or the Maroon Bells. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBUUCESehms. And when it’s cold it can freeze. 4. Kurt Traskos-thanks for drawing up a topo for me a year ago on 14erworld that I printed and used the day of my recent climb. Wear a helmet for this climb. My route description will address the approach in detail but I can’t do much for the bad weather, you will just have to do a 4:00 a.m. start. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. no other Colorado mountain range contains as many peaks above 13,800 ft Proceed approximately 10 miles to Slanesville, WV. Coronavirus Is Surging: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak? However the San Juans definitely have more than the Sawatch, View Ice Mountain Image Gallery - 113 Images. (36), Comments Whatever the causes might be, the good news is that rare plants that have lived here for thousands of years are still thriving, and for now, the invasive species like garlic mustard and stiltgrass haven’t moved into this part of the forest. Don’t get me wrong, at one point during the crux of the climb I found myself in a precarious position that didn’t feel very comfortable. Across the street is a red barn that was built in the 1700s. We include here a collection of aerial photographs of the area around North River Mills. Set apart from other hiking trails in the area, Ice Mountain contains a very fragile eco-system and requires a trained docent (guide). Then I see dozens of ice vents that vary in size. This couloir retains snow all the way into middle to late July. These ice vents probably formed thousands of years ago, at the end of the most recent ice age. This story is part of a series, called Hidden Gems of West Virginia, discovering natural wonders and exploring the outdoors. It is an important flora and fauna and old growth area. All Rights Reserved. But, overall the technical difficulties with proper route finding do not exceed dangerous, exposed class 3.Because of the route finding difficulties in the upper gully, most get involved with exposed, committing class 4 climbing on dangerous rock. Hike ice mountain on a hot day and you are likely to feel a cool air flowing from the natural vents in the mountain. Its location is central, evidenced by as many as 15 other centennial mountains within 20 miles. The Ice Mountain site appears to host a relict Pleistocene Refugium, most likely intact since the onset of near-modern climate conditions at the end of the Pleistocene over 10,000 years ago. Producer Emily Corio explores the West Virginia treasure known as Ice Mountain and how global climate change is impacting it. Pine trees and rhododendron crowd the edges of the trail. Heading east from Romney, after about a 30-minute ride, you’ll find yourself in a sleepy little hollow known as North River Mills. Location: Hampshire County, WV ; Hampshire County, WV Year designated: 2012. West Virginia's official state nickname is the Mountain State. Black Lives In Red States: Art And Life Converge For Two Women In A Tumultuous Year, Poetry Challenge: Honor MLK By Describing How You Dream A World, Vaccine Questions? Some are as small as my hand. Standing guard over the historic mining town of Winfield Colorado, deep in the heart of the Sawatch Range, Ice Mountain (13,951-ft) and its neighboring North Apostle (13,860-ft) and West Apostle Peak (13,568-ft) form the forbidding, but spectacular Three Apostles massif. West Virginia Mountain Homes & Cabins, Mountain & Lake Property for Sale! Kentucky College Student From W.Va. Charged For Role In Capitol Insurrection. There’s more wildlife too. This is the only route description that I know of in the book to have incorrect route beta. The temperature inside the ice vent is in the mid-40s. 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