Grand Falls?

[Joe]

Anyone going to Grand Falls this weekend? I'll be there Sunday with my gear.

[Joe]

Forget it. I checked it out today (13 Jan). The ice isn't great and I wouldn't trust the river ice for walking on. Not worth the trip.

Regarding access, I recommend walking down the stairs instead of rappelling. Drive south across the bridge, turn left on Victoria St. and drive to the school. Just past it near the edge of the gorge is the interpretive center "La Rochelle". Follow the path left of the building, hop the fence, and take the first boardwalk on the right. Stairs all the way down. (Revision: Fred is right; this access is not that useful given the typically questionable condition of the river ice. Rappelling down from behind the store is still the best access.)

[Fred]

I don't think you can cross that river safely at any time of the year. There is an easy snow ramp you can walk down between the two main walls.

[Joe]

Grand Falls on 14 Jan 2012. Numbers correspond to Fred's topo in the Ice Guide.

[Fred]

Joe:

In that photo, there is a gully decent just right of No.2 and a snow ramp decent at No.6 (this one might require a bit of snow though). Crampons recommended for the steep decent in the woods.

Compared with other years, the conditions look pretty good in that photo.