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Elevation: 1,046 ft 319 m
GPS: 37.99237, -83.49257
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Shared By: hunter dawson on Aug 28, 2021 · Updates
Admins: DrRockso RRG, Luke Cornejo, Billy Simek

Description Suggest change

Murder Branch is located near the Long Bow Marina of Cave Run Lake.   Murder Br. currently consists of 3 distinct areas located along Big Woods Road which turns into Forest Service road 1074.  Current GPS locations are accurate, but they may lead you onto another road to access Up Rising Wall.  DO NOT ACCESS THESE AREAS ANYWAY EXCEPT BIG WOODS RD/FS 1074. Doing so will lead you onto private property and is not necessary.

The first area along FS 1074 is Massacre Wall  This area gets lots of sun is right beside the road and a great place for beginners because the top is easily accessible and has a great spot to teach rappelling. The next area a short distance down the road is Long Bow Wall which has a hand full of sport routes and couple of good trad routes. This area has 3 good slab routes under a massive roof that stay dry in heavy rain.  The last area much further out FS road  1074 is Up Rising Wall.  This is the premier area here and has a handful of mega classics.  

Getting There Suggest change

37.994004, -83.490539 

Take US 60 west from Morehead toward Cave Run, take 801 south at the round about. Continue on 801 until it turns to 1274. Continue south on 1274 for approximately 8.1 miles, along the way you'll pass a closed gas station with a large black bull. ~1.5 miles past this make a slight right turn onto Big Woods Road. Big Woods Rd starts the now out of business Ross’ gas station. If you go down the hill on 1274 and pass Longbow Boat Ramp you've gone too far. Big Woods Road turns to gravel  becoming Forest Service (FS) road 1074. To find Massacre Wall continue approximately 1/4 mile down hill on FS 1074 and you should see a large buttress on your right, just before some power lines. If you make it to the bottom of the hill and a forest service gate you have gone way too far. Park on the sides of the road. Lightly worn path leads to the base of the wall, follow to the left to get to top.

To find the Uprising Wall which includes Warlocke,  continue down FS road 1074.  Approximately 2.8 after the Forest Service gate at the bottom of the hill you'll come to a overgrown parking area on the left.   Just before the parking there will be a fork in the road. The right  side is marked 1074 B. Go left, the parking area is just ahead.  Warlocke will be a little more than a 100 meters straight into the woods at the fork mark 1074B. The parking area which is a little farther to the left is the easiest access to the 3 sport routes. Currently there is no trail system.  The gate on FS 1074 below Massacre Wall is CLOSED seasonally.  But often open in the Fall.  Possibly coinciding with Deer hunting season.  

28 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Murder Branch

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
Massacre wall
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Massacre wall Massacre Wall
 4
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
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