Jamestown is Alabama's surprise gift to trad climbing. Located where the tail end of Lookout Mountain pokes down from Tennessee, Jamestown's sandstone cliffs have a lot in common with some of that state's great crags. And unlike some more popular destinations, Jamestown retains a pristine wilderness flavor, due in large part to its isolated location.

Climbing at Jamestown goes back to 1978, when Rich Gottlieb scouted out the crag on a day too rainy for climbing at Sand Rock. Over the several years, Gottlieb and well-known southern climbers like Chick Holtkamp, Shannon Stegg, Rob Robinson and others established numerous excellent trad lines.

For a long time, Jamestown was one of those semi-secret destinations, known and climbed by only the chosen few. But even the chosen few got shut out in the early 90s when a local property owner who claimed ownership over the crag forbade climbing there. All that changed in 2005, when the Southeastern Climbers Coalition did some research and found the real owner of the cliffline. A deal was worked out and Jamestown was sold to the SCC, reopening climbing there for the first time since 1993.

With a few notable exceptions, Jamestown is a trad climbing area. No bolting is allowed without express approval by the SCC. It's also worth noting that the cliff is prone to water seepage, which makes large sections slick and wet for a week or more after any rainfall.

From Atlanta, head north on I-75 to the Rome exit (Hwy. 411/20, exit 290). Continue through Rome on GA 20 and into Alabama; about five miles past the border, turn right (north) on SR 35. Proceed on 35 past the intersection with Hwy. 68, then watch for the next major crossing, county roads 273 and 15 (you'll see a gas station/convenience store at this corner which may or may not be in business).

Turn right on CR 15 and continue for about three miles. After passing a cemetery on the left, watch for a gravel turnoff on the left with a small street number sign (3147). Turn left here and follow this dirt/gravel road past an old stone dam on the left and through the woods until you reach a clearing for farm pasture on the left.

Look for a gated turnoff on the right and turn here, following the track through a pasture and back into the woods. Continue until this intersects with a well-defined farm road that follows the power lines. Turn left here and go through another gate, finishing at a dirt parking area at the base of the power lines. IMPORTANT: Do not leave the farm gates open! Hike up the powerline trail and watch for flagging with surveyor's tape to indicate where the trail cuts left into the woods. Follow the flagged trail up to the cliff and turn left at the SCC kiosk.

NOTE: The old access trail from the top of the cliff is permanently closed. Do not use this trail or you'll be trespassing.