Highway to Hell WI4

The climb is located to the right (south) of classic Stairway to Heaven ice climb, and the approach is the same, you just continue past Stairway until you reach the base of Highway to Hell. The climb is visible higher up from the road. It is closer to parking than Stairway to Heaven, but not as obvious since it is oriented more towards the north. If you hike up the road higher up then you get a great view of both climbs: Stairway to Heaven and Highway to Hell (see photos on the right). 

Jack Roberts in his Colorado Ice provides only a very brief description: 2 lines only. He also uses the name Highway 66. I chose Highway to Hell because this is how I was introduced to it by other climbers and this is the name used on Mountain Project. I think if the approach would be easier this one would be a classic climb. 

Citation from Colorado Ice: "Normally this is a solid, fat climb that is at least three pitches long, although in lean years it can be discontinuous flow. Generally fun and rumbling."

Plan an early start. It is possible that there will be other parties on this climb, especially if one climbs over the weekend.

Elevation in Eureka: 9,862 feet (=3,006 meters)

Eureka is an abandoned mining community nine miles northeast of Silverton on Hwy. 110. Highway 110 is a bit misnomer, as it is an unpaved road that connects Silverton to Lake City via Cinnamon Pass. The first section of the road is well maintained and accessible by low clearance 2WD vehicles. The road is kept open even in the winter, and there is a nice cross country ski trail next to it leading back to Silverton.

There is high avalanche hazard on this climb, so always check snow condition prior venturing on this climb. 

Northern San Juan Avalanche Forecast

Climber's Hut - if you need to spent a night, there is a climber's hut in Eureka - very simple hut, one room with beds (no mattress), table and chairs. There is a stove and wood to make fire. I think there is a jar where you can (and should) leave money for lodging. 

 
You can see Stairway to Heaven from the parking lot if you look northeast - it is the largest ice pathway on the western slopes of Peak 13,419. Highway to Hell is just to the right to it but not visible since it is oriented to the north.  
Hike up on the snow filled road towards the Eureka Lodge (Jack Robert's in his Colorado Ice climbs calls it still Outward Bound Hotel). You have two options - continue on the higher road, pass the Stairway to Heaven climb, and watch for the footsteps leading to the less steep section of the gorge (about 0.9 miles from the parking lot). You have to cross the frozen river, and continue up the slopes towards the climb. There is usually a trail to the start of Stairway, you may have to break the trail from here to the Highway to Hell. I recommend this option for the approach. 
The 2nd option is more difficult, you have to cross the frozen creek below the Eureka Lodge, and continue on steep slopes towards the climb. If the river is not frozen, there is a bridge on the property of Eureka Lodge and some climbers go there and use it. I recommend this option for the descent, it is much steeper than the previous one.