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| Elevation: | 913 ft |
| GPS: | 35.24, -81.269 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 180,255 total · 1,374/month |
| Shared By: | EricD on Feb 1, 2008 |
| Admins: | Aaron Parlier, Steve Lineberry |
Description
Crowders Mountain is a state park located in western North Carolina. In fact, it's not too far from South Carolina. The rock is of a quartzite that is similar to the rock found around the state. Its easy approach and proximity to Charlotte make Crowders a popular place on the weekends, and not just for climbers (which leads some locals to call the place "Crowded" Mountain).
The rock quality is pretty good and offers something for everyone. There are numerous top-roping opportunities as well as sport and trad with ratings ranging from 5.5 to 5.13. Cliffs generally face east or west, so finding sun or shade is pretty easy (depending on the time of day), though the thick foliage can make finding sun more difficult.
Lambert and Shull's Selected Climbs in North Carolina is a great book for the area; however, it is not comprehensive. There is plenty to do here, however, since it's easy to top-rope quite a bit.
Keep in mind, this is a state park. Permits are required for climbing and rangers regularly visit the crags and check up on climbers. Permits are free and easy to fill out, so please do this to avoid hassles. Also, there is a gate that opens and closes daily. Please be aware of the time and make sure you leave before closing time.
The rock quality is pretty good and offers something for everyone. There are numerous top-roping opportunities as well as sport and trad with ratings ranging from 5.5 to 5.13. Cliffs generally face east or west, so finding sun or shade is pretty easy (depending on the time of day), though the thick foliage can make finding sun more difficult.
Lambert and Shull's Selected Climbs in North Carolina is a great book for the area; however, it is not comprehensive. There is plenty to do here, however, since it's easy to top-rope quite a bit.
Keep in mind, this is a state park. Permits are required for climbing and rangers regularly visit the crags and check up on climbers. Permits are free and easy to fill out, so please do this to avoid hassles. Also, there is a gate that opens and closes daily. Please be aware of the time and make sure you leave before closing time.
Getting There
Crowders Mountain is about 30 miles west of Charlotte.
Take I-85 to Exit 13 and make a left off the exit. After this, it depends on where you want to climb. Directions are different for the Hidden Wall and the rest of the areas. Please go to the respective areas to find directions to them.
Take I-85 to Exit 13 and make a left off the exit. After this, it depends on where you want to climb. Directions are different for the Hidden Wall and the rest of the areas. Please go to the respective areas to find directions to them.
Classic Climbing Routes at Crowders Mountain
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
8 Comments
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Guidebooks (2)
Johnson City, TN
Crowders really has a little something for everyone. There's lots of of top-rope options. There's some moderate to difficult sport climbing. There's even a handfull of trad climbs. The low elevation makes climbing at Crowder's feasible during the winter. The main aspects of Crowder's are kind of a southeast (Hidden Wall, Practice Wall, David's Castle, and Red Wall) and west (Middle Finger, Two Pitch Wall) facing. Gumbies Wall/Fortress wall and Backside of Middle Finger sort of stay in the shade during the day.
Don't get me wrong, Crowder's is hot during the summer. However, if you hit Middle Finger or Backside of Middle Finger early in the day and then head to David's Castle or Red Wall late in the afternoon...you can chase the shade. Or do so in reverse during the winter to chase the sun. Jul 3, 2011
Ridgway, CO
Charlotte, NC
Thanks! Jan 19, 2012
Asheville, NC
There are a lot of routes here, and it's rather pretty. Dec 9, 2013
Hotlanta
After 15 years climbing, I have never seen worse rock quality , or more garbage strewn around the base of the climbs (probably from the tourons, not the climbers).
Stay away unless you like trash! Mar 10, 2015
Albuquerque N.M.
Trey with a white dog named champ was caught stealing climbing gear today. Please check to see if you have all of your gear and stuff. Feb 18, 2018