Middle Small Wall  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,398. Good page?    Administrators:  saxfiend, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Tony B on Nov 27, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 72° | 50° 75° | 54° 81° | 63° 86° | 66° 88° | 66°

BETA PHOTO: Mysterious, faded, vegetation covered approach tra...

Description 

Middle Small Wall is really the same formation as Lower Small Wall, but has been treated as a separate crag for several reasons. First off, the distance between the clusters of climbing on the two is greater between than to the road, a mere 10 minute approach, making two different approaches and parking areas more sensible. Additionally, the Middle Wall faces East and gets afternoon shade, whereas Lower Small Wall gets sun all day. The sun factor also seems to affect the rock, with more lichen and moss on some parts of the Middle Small Wall (and a few of the climbs) and fewer major features, creating a smoother cracked wall less given to face climbing. What they thankfully both have in common is stars galore- excellent routes, some of which are quite long. Frankly, I never understood why these were referred to as "Small" walls.
Some excellent climbs are here: The Quest, Handjob, Basecamp, Marmalade, and others. Some are multi-pitch.

Getting There 

Drive 5.7 miles on Hwy715 past the intersection of Hwy 77. You pass the Gladie Creek Visitors center and Tower Rock. A pull-out on the right side of the road appears after a strong left hand curve and just before bending back right. A trail across the road from this pull-out leads uphill to the base of the cliff, arriving at a point between the large roof of Basecamp to the left, and the striking roof-capped dihedral of "The Quest" to the right.

The Classics

Featured Route For Middle Small Wall

The Quest 5.10+ PG13  KY : Red River Gorge : Middle Small Wall

The oldest description I recall was from the Hackworth Guide, which referred to the route as epic.The first Bronaugh guide stated: "An epic, regardless of the outcome." Bronaugh's second book said something more like:"Seek and you shall find- your epic."In my opinion, the word adventure is more appropriate, and the route is much maligned by any association with danger or such. The word "epic" in climbing is too loaded for this association. The route is actually quite good! Still, the details o...[more]   Browse More Classics in KY