All Locations > Maryland > Prettyboy Reservoir

The Bonus Wall Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Bonus Wall

L › R R › L A › Z

	Cicadas in Your Pants T,TR 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Dihedral T,TR 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c PG13
	Dihedral Wall Left TR 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Dihedral Wall Right TR 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
	Lulu's Leisure T,TR 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	More Unfinished Business T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Stinger T,TR 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
	Trust But Verify T,TR 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Unfinished Business T,TR 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

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Elevation:	523 ft	159 m
GPS:	39.62462, -76.71046 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,254 total · 39/month
Shared By:	Jim Borton on Jun 26, 2021 · Updates
Admins:	Frances Fierst, C S Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Details

Update (11/8/2023): It was recently brought to our attention that the Baltimore City Department of Public Works published Watershed Regulations in 2012 that prohibit, among other things, rock climbing ( publicworks.baltimorecity.g…). This contradicts what we've been told by the Baltimore Environmental Police (below). Hopefully, this can be resolved as was the case for mountain biking. In the meantime, please be discrete.

The Baltimore Environmental Police have jurisdiction over Prettyboy Reservoir. They welcome climbers as long as we don't damage anything. The Wildlife and Heritage Service of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages hunting in the Prettyboy Reservoir Watershed and issues permits (bow hunting only). Permits are not required other activities such as fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

Climbers have reported one occasion (May 8, 2023) when a DNR representative asked them to leave, saying that they needed a permit. This was shared with the Baltimore Environmental Police, and they said this was likely a misunderstanding on the part of the DNR representative and that no permit was needed. Rock climbing is OK.

Do not place bolts anywhere in the Prettyboy Watershed. This constitutes “damage” to the rock and is prohibited by the DNR, as outlined in its management plan for the Prettyboy Reservoir Cooperative Wildlife Managemwnt Area and enforced by the Baltimore Environmental Police.

Description

In case the Reservoir Wall isn't enough, PBR offers a bonus wall. Same type of rock---schist with tilted bedding. But with vertical and horizontal cracks that eat gear. Beautiful water views.

Getting There

Same approach as for the Reservoir Wall but 5 more minutes of hiking. About a half mile from the parking lot. Located in the next ravine over, also close to the water.

You can continue on the faint fire road on the top of the ridge (past the weird open area) until you come along an old foundation on your left. Drop into the ravine here.

Or you can cut diagonally down through the woods from the top of the Reservoir Wall.