Looking Glass Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  35.2948, -82.7882 Map Page Views:  253,714. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  saxfiend, Edward Medina, Ryan Williams Submitted By:  saxfiend on Oct 14, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 77° | 55° 79° | 55° 82° | 57° 84° | 57° 88° | 61°

North Face of Looking Glass Rock is closed from January 15th - August 15th MORE INFO >>> Its the time of year to welcome back North Carolinas Peregrine Falcons. While the Peregrine Falcon was removed from the United States Fish and Wildlife Services endangered species list in 1999. It remains listed as sensitive by the Regional Forester and endangered by the state of North Carolina. These designations continue to afford the Peregrine Falcon protection as the Forest Service and partner agencies work to conserve and protect the species. Eight pairs nested in 2011, five of which were on Forest Service lands, Of the five pairs on the Forest, only three nested successfully, indicating that long-term reproductive success continues to be a concern. Young chicks startled prior to acquiring full flight capability will run off the edge of the cliff attempting to escape the threat. Closure of the cliffs where Peregrine Falcons are nesting to climbing activities is necessary to limit disturbance during critical reproductive seasons. Climbers should be aware that both the adults and newly fledged chicks remain in the vicinity of the nest site. and may fly or dive at nearby climbers. It is unlawful to take (kill, harass, or injure, including eggs) Peregrine Falcons and other birds of prey (Migratory Bird Treaty Act, I6 USC 703-T12). Until such time as western North Carolina can maintain a healthy reproduction rate and successfully raise young Peregrine Falcons, the existing closures will be maintained, posted and enforced. For more information visit www.fs.usda.gov (search for National Forests in North Carolina, then follow two links: Land & Resource Management; Resource Management). Thank you for your continued cooperation with restoration efforts for this magnificent bird of prey. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Looking up the first pitch of Sundial Crack over a...

Description 

Located near Brevard, Looking Glass has a huge range of climbing opportunities. Aid climbers will find grade IV and V lines reminiscent of Yosemite on the North Side; free trad climbers flock to the famous "eyebrows" of the Nose Area and Sun Wall.

Route development on Looking Glass granite began in the mid-60s, with signature routes like The Nose. The area was little-known except among the locals in the early days; pioneers of the day included Steve Longenecker, Jim McEver and especially Bob Mitchell. The mid-70s brought another wave of first ascents and more notice from outside the area; over the next decade or so, routes were put up by climbers like Jeep Gaskin, Bob Rotert, Monty Reagan, Whitney Heuermann, Diff Ritchie and Chis Caldwell.

Climbing at Looking Glass is best during the fall and winter months. The North Side and Hidden Wall sections are shady enough for summer climbing. Because it's located in the Pisgah National Forest, camping is plentiful in the area.

Getting There 

Looking Glass is located near Brevard, NC. Take US 276 northeast from Brevard into Pisgah National Forest, then continue about five miles to the intersection with FR 475; take a left here. After a few miles on 475, the road turns to gravel and splits. Take the right fork and look for a parking lot with the sign for Slickrock Falls Trail. This is parking for the South Side area of Looking Glass; for the Nose Area and Sun Wall, continue almost two miles further to the Sunwall Trail parking lot. Parking for the North Side and Hidden Wall is in a pullout roughly a quarter-mile past the Sunwall Trail.

The Classics

Featured Route For Looking Glass Rock

Scotty Pippen 5.10  NC : Looking Glass Rock : Sun Wall

A var. of Patrick Ewing.Belay at the base of the P. Ewing hand crack.Climb the hand crack to the 2nd bolt of PE. For Scotty Pippen, go straight up past the 2nd bolt to a 3rd bolt at very crisp positive crimps. Power over the bolt thru shallow bulges and good gear being careful with the "potato chip" hold. Mantle thur another bulge at the base of a final bulge. Clip the bolt and make a long reach to an eyebrow and step over on the low angled face. Climb 5.6 'brows to a good .4 C4 and traverse...[more]   Browse More Classics in NC

Photos of Looking Glass Rock Slideshow

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A view of the "Glass" from John's Rock.	BETA PHOTO: The length of looking glass rock (Dec 06)	Nice and green in the winter. Pisgah has some rea...
Your best friend at the Glass	Starting out on the 2nd pitch of Brain Dead... mid...	A ladder to the sky on Carolina Hog Farm... mid 90...
A shady look at LG from miles away on the parkway.	Looking Glass in "Scottish Conditions"	rest day at nearby Sliding Rock with my pooch Magg...
Scott McCook soloing Fat Dog 5.7 in the early 80s.	The western edge of the North Face of Looking Glas...	Fall Colors East side of Sun-Wall looking West tow...
North side & Nose of Looking Glass from a location...	Looking Glass from afar	Hidden Wall, North Side & Nose in Spring 2012