Client Preparation Guide
Glacial Potholes Parking Lot
Four Essential Tips
arrive early
Many clients get lost or confused on their first visit to Interstate State Park.
Plan for no phone service
Cell service inside and near Interstate Park is unreliable. Don’t count on it.
Don’t trust your GPS
Interstate Park has trailheads and parking lots in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, on both sides of the St. Croix River. Typing “Interstate State Park” into your GPS will not take you to the correct parking lot. Use the coordinates and map below to make sure you arrive at the Glacial Potholes Trailhead Parking.
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.
Logistics
RENDEZVOUS LOCATION
Meet us at the Glacial Potholes Trailhead, on the Minnesota side of Interstate Park. This trailhead is located at the intersection of Highways 8 and 95, right before Highway 8 goes over the bridge into Wisconsin. Please refer to below map.
The address for the Glacial Potholes Trailhead is:
256 Traprock St
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
43.410828, -89.710699
MEETING TIME
We will meet at 8:00 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 the park, the less likely you will have phone reception.
PARKING
All vehicles at Interstate Park must have a valid admission sticker or pass; please register your vehicle as soon as you arrive to avoid a ticket. If you already have a MN State Parks pass OR a National Parks annual pass, simply display it on your vehicle dashboard. You can pay for parking day-of at the Visitor’s Center.
BATHROOMS
Public restrooms and water are available at the Visitor’s Center.
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 day, reading What to Expect and Frequently Asked Questions may help you feel more informed.
If you climb in a gym, you might take a day or two off before our trip so your muscles are well-rested and strong. Otherwise, relax and get psyched to climb!
WHAT TO EXPECT
TRIPS: After intros and waivers in the parking lot, we hike to a climbing area (about 5-20 min.), where we will set up two or more climbing anchors. Once the ropes are set, we’ll learn belaying skills (if needed) and start climbing. We’ll climb 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 in to a low-traffic climbing area (about 20 min.), make a base camp and begin our course work. 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.
For more details information, read What to Expect on a Guided Climbing Day.
WHAT TO BRING
Comfortable, athletic clothes work best for climbing. 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 to carry personal and group climbing gear
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
If you appreciate a detailed briefing, check out our hour-by-hour overview of what our typical climbing day looks like.
An illustrated guide to what to bring - and what not to bring - on your guided climbing day.
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.
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.
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!