Copper Falls, Idaho

Page Type Page Type: Route
Location Lat/Lon: 48.97200°N / 116.141°W
Additional Information Route Type: Ice Climbing
Seasons Season: Winter
Additional Information Time Required: Half a day
Additional Information Difficulty: WI 3-4
Additional Information Number of Pitches: 2
Additional Information Grade: II
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Copper Creek plunges over a rocky shelf, dropping 225 feet to form 2-pitch Copper Falls. It quite reliably freezes in the winter, and is very accessible. Fun, fun, fun!

Copper Falls ice climbing pics

Getting There

Copper Creek Falls is in the northeast corner of Idaho: northeast of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; less than 1 mile south of Eastport & the Canadian border, and just west of the Montana border.

Boundary County, Idaho map

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From US-95 northbound:

Driving north on US-95 past Copeland toward Eastport and the Canadian border, pass Robinson Lake (on your left), then Moyie River Road at Good Grief (on your right).

About 2.5 miles from Good Grief, cross the UP Railroad track.

About 0.4 miles more cross the Moyie River and then, on your right is Copper Creek Road (#2517).

Make a hard right and follow Copper Creek Road for about 2.2 miles to the campground and trail head.

The base of Copper Falls is a signed easy 1/2 mile trail hike from the campground.

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Map: USGS Eastport (ID)

TopoZone map
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Bonner's Ferry Ranger District
208-267-5561
(or stop at the office on Highway 95 in Bonners Ferry for trail updates, maps and information)

Route Description

The heavily cauliflowered line up the center is WI 4. The line up the right is WI 3.

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Pitch 1:

Anchor bolts are in a little alcove on your right, at the top of the 1st pitch where the falls narrows.

Pitch 2:

Semi-mantle over a large boulder to top out. Magical area on top, with pools.

Descent:
Walk off the top, via sloping ledges on the fall's right (as you would face it at the base).

Martin Cash leading the first...


The indefatigable Martin Cash leading the WI 3 line, 1 January 2004.

Essential Gear

1 -- 50 meter rope.
Ice screws & usual pro.

 

External Links

Waterfalls Guide

CNN.com weather: conditions, forecast, satellite & radar

Eats & Sheets in Bonner's Ferry