Client Preparation Guide

Steinke Basin North Loop Trailhead

Four Essential Tips

  1. arrive early

    Many clients get lost or confused on their first visit to Devil’s Lake State Park.

  2. Plan for no phone service

    Cell service inside and near Devil’s Lake State Park is weak to non-existent. Don’t count on it.

  3. Don’t trust your GPS

    If you enter “Devil’s Lake State Park” into a GPS device, it usually takes you to the wrong (north) end of the lake. Use the attached map instead OR enter in the specific coordinates below.

  4. Read this document in its entirety

    The below information is really helpful and will help set you up for a successful experience with us.

    The Client Resources section is optional, but look over the headlines to see if anything catches your interest. We offer various types of trips and courses, so some resources may not be relevant to your trip.

Logistics

RENDEZVOUS LOCATION

Meet us at the Steinke Basin North Loop Trailhead, northeast of Devil’s Lake on Highway DL. This trailhead sits on the south side of the road. Please refer to below map.

The trailhead does not have a formal address. If you don’t have a road map and must use GPS, use these specific coordinates:

43.43062398394091, -89.70936978677136

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MEETING TIME

We will meet at 7:30 AM, unless other arrangements have been made (check your confirmation email). Please be prompt. If you are unfamiliar with the area, please arrive early, as many first-time visitors become disoriented trying to find the meeting place.

If you are running late or lost, please call or text us ASAP because the closer you get to Devil’s Lake, the less likely you will have phone reception.

PARKING

All vehicles at Devil’s Lake must have a valid admission sticker. See our Park Admission page for current fee information. You may purchase your pass online in advance to avoid hassle; there is no fee station at this trailhead. If you already have a WI State Parks pass OR a National Parks annual pass, simply display it on your vehicle dashboard.

BATHROOMS

There is a rustic outhouse at this trailhead. Water is not available, so be sure to arrive with a full supply of drinking water for the day.

Prepare for Success

Mind & Body

Sleep and eat well the night before, so you are well-rested and you have plenty of energy during our time together.

If you are have anxiety about your climbing or rappelling day, reading What to Expect and Frequently Asked Questions may help you feel more informed.

If you climb in a gym or like to workout, you might take a day or two off before our trip so your muscles are well-rested and strong. Otherwise, relax and get psyched for an adventure!

WHAT TO EXPECT

TRIPS: After intros and waivers in the parking lot, we make our way to the bluffs (about 20-30 min.) to a great climbing or rappelling area, where we will set up for our planned activity (climbing, rappelling, bouldering, etc.). Your instructor will customize the trip to your group’s goals and ability levels, but you can be sure we’ll spend our time on a variety of routes, discussing skills and technique along the way.

COURSES: After intros and waivers in the parking lot, we figure out what gear you have and supplement according to our needs. We hike or drive in to a low-traffic climbing area (about 20 min.), make a base camp and begin our coursework. Along the way, we ask questions to determine where your skills/knowledge are and how best to structure our time together. Expect a combination of demonstration, short lecture, and experiential learning, culminating in extended practice sessions where you implement new skills.

APPROACH: The approach hike takes 10 - 30 minutes, along mostly flat hiking trails. The terrain is uneven, varying between grassy and gravel, with some more rocky trails as we near the bluffs. We recommend carrying everything in your backpack, so your hands are available to provide balance. For Adaptive groups we can often source a permit from the Park to drive in along an access road to the tops of the bluffs. Permits must be pre-approved weeks in advance and are limited to one to two pre-approved vehicles, so be sure to make arrangements with your instructors well in advance if you need this type of access.

For more details information, read What to Expect on a Guided Climbing Day.

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable, athletic clothes work best for our adventures and courses. These can be tight-fitting, stretchy garments like tights or Under Armor, or loose, nonrestrictive clothing like sweats or t-shirts. Please avoid jeans, which tend to be restrictive and uncomfortable for climbing. If you wear shorts, make sure they are at least mid-thigh length (min. 5” inseam) so the harness won’t chafe your legs. In addition to comfortable clothing, please bring:

  • A minimum of 1 liter of water per person; 2 liters/person is essential during hot summer days

  • More food and snacks than you think you’ll eat

  • Sunglasses and sunscreen

  • Sturdy and supportive close-toed shoes (not sandals or slip-ons)

  • One backpack per person (30L for climbing trips, 40-50L for technical courses) to carry personal and group climbing gear

*** Unless you are really fit, do not bring an ice-filled cooler. We will not return to the car for lunch and trails are steep to most climbing areas.

For more an illustrated guide, see our What to Bring Climbing.

Cancellations

While we are looking forward to climbing with you, we understand cancellations are sometimes necessary due to unplanned events. Please read our Cancellation Policies, should you need to cancel your event for any reason between now and your trip date.

We recommend purchasing trip insurance to avoid losing money in the event of an emergency or a change to your travel plans. Forbes has a great trip insurance search tool for finding the right option for your situation.

Client Resources

Person climbing a rocky outdoor cliff face in a forested area with trees and sunlight

If you appreciate a detailed briefing, check out our hour-by-hour overview of what our typical climbing day looks like.

People rock climbing in a forested area with large rocks and trees, overlaid with the words "What to Bring."

An illustrated guide to what to bring - and what not to bring - on your guided climbing day.

Two people wearing helmets standing on a rocky cliffside trail in a forested area with a view of distant hills and dark cloudy sky, with the text 'Climbing Day FAQs' overlaid.

Have a questions about your climbing trip or course? Chances are we’ve heard it before! We regularly update and add to our clients’ most asked questions on our FAQ page. If you don’t find a good answer there, please email us.

Text overlay reading 'Climbing Terms for Beginners' over a background of autumn trees and rocks.

Want to show up at the cliff with some lingo in your back pocket? Rock Climbing Terms for Beginners explains some of the climbing-specific language you might hear at the crag.

A man with a beard wearing a helmet and outdoor clothing climbing a rocky surface with climbing gear in a forested area.

We provide all equipment you’ll need for your trip or course. However, if you’d like to purchase your own kit, you may order it in advance from our Client Store.

A woman sitting outdoors on a stone surface, smiling and wearing a pink helmet and a coral-colored jacket, with climbing gear on the ground beside her, overlooking a green landscape with trees and a body of water in the background.

If you’d like to order a DLCG hat or t-shirt, please order it in advance from our store and we’ll bring it to your trip for you!