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Pickens Nose Rock Climbing
| Elevation: | 4,820 ft | 1,469 m |
| GPS: |
35.02297, -83.45794 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 37,772 total · 283/month | |
| Shared By: | Mark O'Neal on Dec 24, 2013 | |
| Admins: | Ky Bishop, Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier |
Access Issue: Post Hurricane Helene Accessibility of Crags
Details
carolinaclimbers.org/conten…
Description
Pickens Nose is located at the southern end of the Nantahala Mountains within the Nantahala National Forest near the border of North Carolina and Georgia and the town of Otto, NC. It is most easily accessed off US 441 but can also be accessed from the Standing Indian campground.
The climbing history at Pickens Nose may be relatively long, but written historical information about said climbing is sparse. It has some easy top rope climbs, some hard sport climbs, and some full trad climbs. I wouldn't classify this as a destination but it can be a fun place to try out with an easy short approach and cooler temperatures in the summer. Most routes are single pitch, but there may be a multi pitch option out there somewhere.
There are four main areas of climbing here; Cameron's Wall, the "Top Rope" Wall, the Nose and Rockhouse Knob. The first three are near the end of the approach trail at the crest of the road. If you keep walking until the trail ends you will be on top of Pickens Nose proper. Turn around and walk back a little if you intended to find the other walls or access the bottom of the Nose. Directions to each area are on the area pages.
There is also a fairly large boulder on the left about 2/3 of the way down the approach trail and a couple of other boulders down by the chimney
The approach to Rockhouse Knob starts at a different trailhead but is close enough to Pickens (essentially down the hill) that it's included here. Directions to that wall are on it's area page
Getting There
From NC 64: Take the Wallace Gap Road toward the Standing Indian Campground. Pass the campground on Forest Service Road 67, passing first the campground entrance (where the road changes from hardtop to gravel) and beyond the Backcountry Information Center (a glorified bulletin board). Drive on this well maintained gravel road for about six miles until you come to a fork with a sign indicating "Albert Mountain" on the left and "Coweeta" on the right. 67 is on the left and the right turn is Forest Service Road 83. Drive until you see a gate. If the gate is closed, park there and continue on foot for about fifty feet to the Pickens Nose Trail which will be on your right.
Both sides of the road access can be closed in the winter time so plan accordingly
Look for the brown Pickens Nose trail sign and the parking area that can accommodate several cars. The trail is about 0.7 mi and is only slightly uphill so it makes for an easy approach. The east side of the trail is on Coweeta Lab property and the west side of the trail is on National Forest property. Depending on the time of year you go, you may find hunters around running dogs with radio collars.
Camping is allowed on National Forest land (i.e. the west side of the trail). There is an established car camping spot adjacent to the parking lot and there is an established back country site about half way down the approach trail on the west side. There is no water source here, so bring your water.
Classic Climbing Routes at Pickens Nose
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