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Elevation: 2,478 ft 755 m
GPS: 38.51696, -79.03842
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 25,912 total · 142/month
Shared By: Mike Gray on Dec 2, 2009 · Updates
Admins: Shawn Heath, Aaron Parlier
Page Updates (admin only)
Warning Access Issue: Private property all along the old access road. DO NOT BLOCK GATES OR DRIVEWAYS. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

A set of incredible boulders on top of a scenic knob just off Rte 33 W, about 15 miles W of Harrisonburg in Rawley Springs. Some hunter and ATV traffic, seasonally, but a beauty location especially in the late summer and fall.

Getting There Suggest change

Take Rte 33W from Harrisonburg to Rawley Springs. Wind through the S curve above the river. Park at the pullout just past Second Mtn Rd and walk East along Route 33. About 50 yds past the clearing and home on the north (westbound) side of the road, climb the bank at a boulder and cut through the forest to intersect an old game and hunters trail heading right. This will bring you out past the Dyno Cave, Rook Towers, and the Stigmata cracks to reach the Satellite Ranch.

The boulders are divided into two main groups: the Satellite Ranch and the Ridge Boulders. During the summer the Ridge Boulders are harder to find through the thick canopy, though only a few minutes further up the fire road on the right.

The highest concentration of routes are at the Satellite Ranch, located directly on the shoulder of the fire road just above the last S curve.

Second Mountain Boulders

Suggest change
Take Route 33 West out of town to Rawley Springs, passing the little store and rounding a large curve to pass Second Mountain Road.

Turn right on Rocky Run Road, several hundred yards past Second Mountain Road, and follow this to the end, a parking loop. The trail to Second Mountain begins at the back of the loop and soon climbs onto the ridge to the right or east.

Hiking from Rocky Run parking loop to the intersection with the fire road takes 30 minutes, with an additional 15 minute hike up the fire road to reach the Satellite Boulder.

The boulders are divided into two main groups: the 2nd Mountain Proper Boulders and the Ridge Boulders. During the summer the Ridge Boulders are harder to find through the thick canopy. They are only a few minutes further up the fire road on the right.

21 Total Climbs

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Location: Second Mountain Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Second Mountain

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5
 13
● Gettin the Groove
Boulder
V1-2 5
 7
● Orbit
Boulder
V2-3 5+
 11
● Terminator Traverse
Boulder
V3 6A
 12
● Big Gulp?
Boulder
V4 6B
 21
● The Roof Problem
Boulder
V4+ 6B+
 4
● Duchess
Boulder
V6+ 7A
 7
● Forrowed Brow
Boulder
V7+ 7A+
 15
● Worm World
Boulder
V8 7B
 15
● The Bird
Boulder
V8 7B
 4
● Turn the Earth
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Gettin the Groove
 13
V1 5 Boulder
● Orbit
 7
V1-2 5 Boulder
● Terminator Traverse
 11
V2-3 5+ Boulder
● Big Gulp?
 12
V3 6A Boulder
● The Roof Problem
 21
V4 6B Boulder
● Duchess
 4
V4+ 6B+ Boulder
● Forrowed Brow
 7
V6+ 7A Boulder
● Worm World
 15
V7+ 7A+ Boulder
● The Bird
 15
V8 7B Boulder
● Turn the Earth
 4
V8 7B Boulder
More Classic Climbs in Second Mountain »

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Photos

Jon Hamilton Jared's Traverse V10 Satellite Boulder.
Jon Hamilton Jared's Traverse V10 Satellite…
 2
Brendan Kavanagh
Brendan Kavanagh
 2
Alternate beta to the start to the Unnamed Roof Problem. Jon Hamilton.
Alternate beta to the start to the Unnamed Roof…
 1
Arete/crack climb. Sandbag V3
Arete/crack climb. Sandbag V3
 1
Jon Hamilton on the Unnamed Roof Problem V4.
Jon Hamilton on the Unnamed Roof Problem V4.
 4
Jon Hamilton Worm World V8 Satellite Boulder.
Jon Hamilton Worm World V8 Satellite Boulder.
 0
Unnamed roof problem.
Unnamed roof problem.
 0
Satellite Boulder. Main area
Satellite Boulder. Main area
 0
Ridge Boulders Area: What I'm pretty sure is the Couch Boulder (it does look kind of like a couch), as viewed from the Prickly/Nose boulder. The trail leading here is extremely overgrown and hard to follow. Guidebooks say that it's about a 5-10 minute walk from the Satellite Boulder to here, but it's more like 2-3 min. Good warm up boulder. Check out Zook's guidebook and/or Dr. Topo for more info.
Ridge Boulders Area: What I'm pretty sure is th…
 0
The Northern wall of the Slopeback Boulder in the Ridge Boulders Area. The route "Gassed" is here.
The Northern wall of the Slopeback Boulder in t…
 0
Old Tree Boulder in Ridge Boulders Area. Easily identified by the titular old tree. The roof problem is in the back of the boulder.
Old Tree Boulder in Ridge Boulders Area. Easily…
 0
Ridge Boulders Area: The Old Wall, as viewed from the Southern (right) end. Overgrown getting there, but nice and clear around the wall.
Ridge Boulders Area: The Old Wall, as viewed fr…
 0

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