Hurricane Helene has had such a profound effect on WNC, Upstate SC, Southwest VA, Eastern TN, and beyond. Our focus over the first two weeks of Hurricane Helene has been on immediate needs of communities in our region. We are now starting to begin to make assessments of our climbing areas, to see what is accessible and what is not, and have an idea of the damage done. For an updated NOAA map of the damage done, click here.
At the CCC, opening and maintaining access to climbing areas for the public good is fundamental to our mission. The wake of this storm has brought with it tremendous mental and physical strain for so many. While a personal day of recreation can seem trivial for some right now, a climbing day at the crag can help recharge and provide a mental respite that is so needed for so many of us at this time. Simultaneously, local businesses including guide services, gear shops, accommodation facilities, and restaurants rely on visitation of our climbing areas for their livelihood.
We have created the list below of accessible and inaccessible climbing areas with some caveats. If you decide to head out for a day of climbing, please do not attempt to go to those marked ‘inaccessible’. Please note that all areas in WNC will have extensive tree damage and if you head out, use extra caution for all the trees above, especially on a windy day. Rock fall potential is also highest after a big weather event. Please use extra caution while climbing and prepare to self rescue if injured. Injury response time will be greatly limited for any injury currently, especially for a remote injury. Cell service is limited in all areas. Parking at accessible crags in the WNC/ Upstate SC region will likely be challenging. If the parking lot is full, go to a different area and do not park illegally or in a road. Make a plan B before leaving your house. Expect road detours on the way to the crag. NCdrive.gov updates road closures. Once you get to the crag, expect many trees blocking access trails and of course, come volunteer with the CCC to help us bring our climbing areas back!
CCC board and staff have just begun assessments of our climbing areas and will update these areas as we know more. If you have updates or if you are a certified or experienced sawyer looking to help, please contact mreardon@carolinaclimbers.org.
Northern Piedmont | Moores/ Cooks: Accessible |
| | Pilot Mountain State Park: Accessible |
| | Stone Mountain State Park: Accessible as of 11/15 |
| | Rocky Face Recreation Area: Accessible |
| | Maibauer Boulders: Accessible |
| | Sauratown: Accessible |
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Southern Piedmont | Stony Mountain Vineyard Boulders: Accessible |
| | Asheboro Boulders: Accessible |
| | Dixon and Crowders: Accessible as of 11/1 but potential for many downed trees, etc. |
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Virginia | Hidden Valley: Accessible |
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TN | Rocky Fork State Park: Partially accessible |
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Western Mts | Rumbling Bald: Accessible as of 12/6/24. Rumbling Bald is the only access within Chimney Rock State Park that is now accepting visitors. Extensive work will be needed to rehabilitate all areas at Rumbling Bald. East Side Boulders, Family Wall, Comatose Area, Trailside Boulder, and many more have fallen trees affecting accessibility. Stay tuned for more rehab work with the CCC in January! Big thanks to Chimney Rock State Park for their work to re-open Rumbling Bald! Official announcement per NC State Parks: "Rumbling Bald Access has reopened for day use, including hiking and individual climbing and rappelling. However, group climbing is temporarily prohibited until further notice. Park staff are unable to process permits due to Hurricane Helene impacts to the park office. Violators may receive a citation. In addition, the main attraction and Eagle Rock area remain closed until further notice. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate post-storm recovery efforts. If you are planning on doing an individual climb, please note that you must still fill out an individual climbing permit onsite. The closest alternatives for group climbing at state parks are Crowders Mountain and Stone Mountain state parks." |
| | Little Bearwallow Falls: Inaccessible |
| | Raven Rock: Inaccessible as of 12/30/24 due to a road closure. |
| | Hickory Creek Boulders: Inaccessible |
| | Chimney Rock Village Boulders: Inaccessible |
| | Melrose Mountain: West Cliff is accessible, East Cliff has many downed trees |
| | Buffalo Creek: Inaccessible. Landslides and hundreds of downed trees. We will need your help! |
| | Pace: Inaccessible |
| | Bradley Falls: Accessible |
| | Pisgah National Forest (Looking Glass, Cedar Rock, John Rock, etc): Accessible but you will likely have to park further from trail heads. Expect longer walks, limited EMS, and many downed trees. |
| | Pisgah National Forest Big Ivy Region (Corner Rock, Douglas Falls, Snakes Den, etc): Inaccessible. The Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah is mostly closed to access. |
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Cashiers Highlands | Nantahala National Forest (Big Green, Black Rock, Granite City, Panthertown, etc): Accessible |
| | Laurel Knob: Accessible |
| | Whiteside Mountain: Accessible |
| | Whiteside Cove Boulders: Accessible |
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High Country | Pisgah National Forest (Grandfather District: Linville, Table Rock, Black Fork, 221 areas owned by USFS, Dump, etc): As of November 15th, parts of the Grandfather District are beginning to open back up. See the open areas here. Of note: Table Rock Rd leading to the Table Rock parking and picnic area is closed for the foreseeable future, meaning the small trail heads that access Table Rock, Chimneys, etc will be overloaded. If accessing these areas, have a Plan B and please park responsibly. |
| | Barn Boulders: Accessible |
| | Buckeye Knob Boulders: Accessible but potential for many downed trees |
| | Blue Ridge Parkway Areas: Ship Rock, Beacon Heights: Accessible, but use caution and enter at your own risk. Blowing Rock: Parking at the rest stop is closed for the season per usual. Enter at your own risk. Parking is extremely limited and likely unavailable. Grandmother: Parking and pedestrian entry on the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed between Milepost 305-308. Parking in other areas will be extremely limited and likely unavailable. Enter at your own risk. |
| | McKinney and Weaver: Accessible |
| | Greenway Boulders of Boone: Accessible |
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SC | Table Rock State Park: The park is accessible. Pumpkintown is accessible as of 10/2024 after CCC and friends cleared ~100 trees. Parts of the trail are washed out or gone still. Table Rock Main Wall is accessible but the access trail has changed. The former climbers trail is abandoned as of 10/2024 after much dead fall and rough alignment. Hike one mile up Pumpkintown Trail and you should see the trail split to Table Rock Main Wall. Signage does not currently exist. CCC has cleared from the saddle to Watergroove Wall. Still be prepared for briars and downed trees along the cliff base. |
| | Big Rock: Accessible. CCC cleared on 10/8. |
| | Jocassee Bouldering: Unconfirmed |
