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Trail Split Area

Tennessee > Dayton Pocket/Laurel…

Description

This is a secluded area with a lot of developed gems. The most well-known problem in this area is Jimmy Webb's FA "Western Gold" which lies about 100 feet off the trail on a huge boulder. This area is also home to a few great moderates located directly underneath a series of three bridges. Under the second bridge is a classic V4 named "Bedrocker" that is very gym-like in style and offers some great movement on a series of incut pockets. Another area classic is the seldom visited "Tollbooth" which climbs an aesthetic arete and a few holds on the scooped face. This problem is hidden underneath the third consecutive bridge.

Many problems have been done in this area, even though it is about a 45-60 minute hike from the parking lot. Majority of the boulders don't receive much attention and are starting to be lost to the growth of moss and vegetation. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the more obscure and rarely visited problems, and even more so as to who will be dedicated enough to search these problems out and establish new lines.

Getting There

From the parking lot at the end of Wilderness Pocket Road, follow the main trail that is marked with white markers. After hiking about 35-40 minutes the trail veers right, up the hill away from the river, before curving back and following the river from on top of a hillside. Once on this stretch of trail, 5-10 minutes will pass before a large newly built aluminium bridge will allow the hiker to cross a smaller river.

 After crossing this large bridge, the trail veers right through a rocky jumble and then the trail splits with a sign in the middle. From this point, the climber/ hiker has to make a hard decision. Which V11 do I want to try? "Western Gold" or "Standard Lines"?

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The new aluminum bridge encountered a few hundred feet before the trail split.
[Hide Photo] The new aluminum bridge encountered a few hundred feet before the trail split.
The split in the trail.
[Hide Photo] The split in the trail.