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Elevation: 1,280 ft
GPS: 39.65544, -78.78978
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 102,962 total · 573/month
Shared By: Luke Douglas on Jun 12, 2009 · Updates
Admins: Frances Fierst, C S
Warning Access Issue: This area is closed to public use, each year, during February 15 - July 31 to protect nesting Peregrine Falcons. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Except for the vultures soaring high above, you are likely to be at this beautiful cliff above the city of Cumberland alone. At about a mile in length and up to 200 feet high this rock face is home to many adventurous routes ranging from single pitch 5.easy to multipitch 5.10+. Bolts are rare so you will have to rely mostly on tree anchors, and route finding skills will definitely be called upon. The crux of these climbs for many climbers will be locating the routes. The thick foliage can be very disorienting. Walk-offs are possible in some locations, but rappelling from the top is more practical for single pitch top roping, especially at the Far Wall.

The cliff faces southwest and gets afternoon sun, so it can be pleasant most of the year, although it gets very hot during the summer. Fortunately you'll be climbing above Will's Creek all day and it has great fishing and some sweet swimming holes!

Mark "Indy" Kochte has produced several quality Maryland area guide books as well as an on line guide. This on line guide will be immensely helpful for climbing at the Narrows. indy-adventures.net/climbin…

Parking note. There is usually no problem parking at the intersection of Piedmont Street and Wills Mt. Rd. The end of Columbia street has plenty of parking and is only about a 100 meter walk to the trailhead. Don't park on red lines and avoid the immediate church area on Sundays. Say hello to the locals and tell them what you are up to. They will be interested and being friendly can only help our access.

Getting There Suggest change

Park near the intersection of Piedmont Ave. and Wills Mtn. road and hike up the road to the first switchback. Follow the trail from here up to the clifftop trail and turn right, following this north to the vacant Artmore Plastics building. Walk a couple hundred yards past the building to the iron gate and go left on the trail just beyond the gate. Follow this trail up to the small meadow at the edge of the cliff. This overlook is "Moonshine buttress" and Sunshine buttress is the first buttress to the left (south). The Solar System buttresses are located to the right (north) along this clifftop trail. Alternatively, you can continue up the road to the last switchback and look for the trail that heads uphill toward the cliff. Follow this trail to the clearing above Moonshine Buttress, or follow other trails to various points along the clifftop.

157 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Cumberland Narrows aka Lover's Leap Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Cumberland Narrows aka Lover's Leap

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 5
Little Jimmie Arete
Trad
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 4
House of Sticks
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 4
Monk
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R
 5
After Hours
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 6
How Yick Ying
Trad 2 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 12
Tunnel of Love
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 8
Unexpected Party
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 7
School House Rock
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 4
Hunter's Roof
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 4
Easy Pickin's
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 4
The Howling
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 5
The Howling Arete
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 8
Cumber Honey
Trad 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Little Jimmie Arete Sisters' Corner & Amp…
 5
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
House of Sticks Chuck Wall
 4
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad
Monk Funland
 4
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
After Hours Chuck Wall
 5
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R Trad
How Yick Ying Howling Wall
 6
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 2 pitches
Tunnel of Love Funland
 12
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Unexpected Party Chuck Wall
 8
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
School House Rock Howling Wall
 7
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Hunter's Roof Funland
 4
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Easy Pickin's Jim Pick Wall
 4
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
The Howling Howling Wall
 4
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
The Howling Arete Howling Wall
 5
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Cumber Honey Cumber Honey Wall
 8
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Cumberland Narrows aka Lover's Leap »

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