Train Tunnel Wall  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  100' Lat, Long:  39.3242, -77.7256 Map Page Views:  3,374. Good page?    Administrators:  Frances Fierst, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Dominic Albanese on Jul 26, 2009 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 90° | 66° 90° | 66° 79° | 50° 64° | 45° 66° | 52°

Train Property MORE INFO >>> While the climbing at the cliff is allowed (get a permit in town) accessing the "pit" via the steel ladder may not be. If climbing here keeping a low profile in the pit (stay off the rim of the pit) is recommended. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

BETA PHOTO: An overview of Maryland Heights. The Sign Wall is ...

Description 

The steep wall directly over the train tunnel. Usually home only to the ravens and aid climbers. There is only one free route known but to many of the area's aid climbers this is the biggest and baddest thing around.

Set up shop in the "Pit" get geared up and get ready for thin aid on hard black rock.

Can get rather windy and about 15 trains a day are going directly underneath you. You dont just hear them, you can actually feel them.

Getting There 

A slightly tricky approach. You used to be able to park in the single pullout right below the "pit" but that is now being patrolled. Parking options include the hiking trail-head on Sandy Hook Rd. Go under rail bridge and another half mile to parking. This lot fills up fast with hikers on the weekend. Sandy Hook is accessed off of 340 in MD by taking Keep Tryst Rd. to sandy hook rd.

Or you can pay to park in town and walk across the pedestrian bridge.

Either way you need a permit from the park rangers to climb. Their office is in town on the right as you drive in. They also usually require that you have a helmet.

From either parking find the south side of the concrete structure that makes up the tunnel underneath the wall. A 30 foot trail leads to a 30 foot tall ladder bolted to the side. Up this (exciting with a haul bag) and into the "pit" All climbs start from here. Use discretion while in the pit as access is uncertain.

The Classics

Featured Route For Train Tunnel Wall

Outrage 5.12  MD : Harper's Ferry : ... : Train Tunnel Wall

Start up a left facing corner with some poles and spray-on cement until you reach a ledge where you can clip the first bolt and head up a thin face, keeping a seam on your left. Just after the second bolt bolt, start a sequence of big moves that will take you towards the fourth bolt, shake out at the jug and head up the final section, clipping a fixed nut near the top. Anchors are in the mini-alcove at the top of the route. This route has it all!...[more]   Browse More Classics in MD