Pisgah Punisher

Cedar Rock Mountain, John Rock, and Looking Glass hold the most prominent multipitch cliffs in Pisgah National Forest, and each richly contribute to the area’s climbing history and culture. These three mountains are also connected by a vast system of hiking trails and public land. 

The Pisgah punisher is a linkup done in one day, by foot, of Cedar Rock Mountain, John Rock, and Looking Glass Rock. It ascends prominent cliffs and routes to top out each mountain before heading towards the next. Reaching the mountaintops is a primary goal, and there is no rappelling required. The Punisher mostly relies on established trails and gravel roads, but some bushwhacking should be expected. About 16 miles of hiking/running is required. 

This linkup was established to celebrate the spirit and history of the area while maintaining a natural line and providing an experience that climbers can modify while staying true to the original vision. The following routes and cliffs were chosen by the FA team to provide the experience of a continuous romp from cliff to cliff, mountaintop to mountaintop, with no rappelling or backtracking on trails. Other teams may consider changing things up. Go for it! You should do what inspires you. If you topped out each mountain, climbed prominent routes, and hucked it by foot from the beginning and end points in one push, you climbed the Pisgah Punisher. 

Cedar Rock Mountain: 

Hike from the Cedar Rock parking area to North Cedar and top out by linking Mr. Tumnus to Black Swan (5.10, 2 pitches). 

Bushwhack from the top of North Cedar to the base of Stone Depot. Top Out via North by Northwest (5.7+, 5 pitches). 

Jaunt over to the Cedar Rock Mountain summit and tap the survey marker. Descend via the Cedar Rock Mountain Trail and head towards John Rock. 

John Rock:

Top out Melodious (5.9, 2 pitches). Hike up to the nearby high point. No survey marker. Descend via the cat gap loop trail towards the Pisgah Fish Hatchery. 

Looking Glass Rock: 

Hike to the south side. Climb Southender (5.8, 6+ pitches), topping out at the highest point possible via the obvious 250+ feet of easy climbing and 4th class. This puts you within 50 feet of the main trail. Make a quick trip to the highpoint of the mountain (no survey marker) and then hike down to finish at the parking area for the Looking Glass Rock Trailhead. 

Ideas for alternates: 

There are many options for routes and cliffs on these mountains. The biggest decision is whether you want to do the serious bushwhack between north cedar and stone depot. If not, you can either rappel north cedar or choose another combination of Cedar Rock cliffs. 

This linkup was originally done with no stashes. However, if you wanted to stash, the fish hatchery would be the place to do it. There are several stream crossings for drinking water.

A note about bushwhacking: 

All of these climbing areas are well known for hosting populations of venomous snakes; you may want to do this in the fall or spring when vegetation is thin. Delicate ecosystems abound – be kind to plants and critters. Some areas are also subject to raptor closures.

Two cars needed. Start at the Cedar Rock parking area (Cathy's Creek Rd) and finish at the Looking Glass Rock trailhead (FS 475)