I know it is a little far off, but I need to start planning fun stuff. May 5-6 I was thinking about going to Lost Crag. I will remember to bring up the question closer to then, but I am looking toward going to Lost Crag. Hopefully someone else would be able to go too. I would love to learn the shorter upper parking lot entrance. Mark, maybe I could get you to come show it to us?

Sorry... missed this post a few weeks back... here's upper lot directions to Lost Crag: (all measurements are guesstimates...) Continue on Dunbar-Ohiopyle Rd. past the road heading to the lower lot (like you are heading to Krahlick) ... drive past Kingan Rd. (road to Krahlick) and around the extremely sharp bend and continue toward Ohiopyle... about a mile or so after the sharp bend there will be a State Game Lands gravel/dirt road (2 or so miles from lower lot) on your right... turn there... follow gravel road until you come to a gate and can go no further... park... time to hike... from the gate hike on the road until you come to a stand of large Pine trees on left and a pile of large stones on right (about 1/2 mile from gate) make a right after the stones onto a grassy old road/clearing... follow grassy road for a couple hundred yards and look for a small stone cairn on right side marking the beginning of the trail into the woods... from there just follow the stone cairns to the crag... takes about 30-40 min from the gate... I added a few cairns along the way to mark the trail better... not sure it's shorter but it's definitely easier than up that damn mountain ...lol... any questions just ask...

Speaking of -- i'm new to the Gorge. How is cell reception there? Can I rely on it or should I bring some walkies?

Any of those just learning the upper way into the Lost Crag. The overall hike from the upper lot is usually 20 min. for a quick hiker and about 30 if your working off a rough night. Nice and flat (i.e. no hills) KINDA takes the fun out of it.

I figure the lower way is a right of passage for local climbers. It wasn't nearly that easy when I found it. I didn't even know the logging road was there to come up. I hiked (bushwacked) almost 4 hrs to make it from the bottom up to the rocks. Machete and my dog, the hike in was grueling. I discovered the logging road upon reaching the top of the hill and used it as a descent on my way back to the lower parking lot. After that initial death march, we decided the upper way mandatory and the upper trail was sought out and cut. I really wasn't interested in carrying 90lbs of climbing and bolting gear up that hill every other day. Enjoy the upper trail!

Just a little climbing history for the crowd.

Bill, how was NH? Did you get out much? Marlene and I had a great time at the New. She did her first and second trad leads. She also did her hardest sport lead to date.

What's everyone doing for Memorial Day weekend? I was thinking of heading to Seneca or the New.

Most of my weekend is occupied due to my cousin getting married but Monday we have plans to get out to Lost Crag if its not wet and if we can find this upper entrance .

NRR was a great time. Awesome people and events, and the climbing was OK . Got to do 3 days in the Gorge and stopped at Summersville briefly on the way home Sunday. All areas were pretty packed on Saturday and Sunday but we were still able to get a decent bit of routes in. I thought I'd recognize you, microbarn, from pictures and say hello but must not have seen you.

I'm going to Trinidad & Tobago starting next weekend. I think I'm going to pack my shoes just incase I see any sweet bouldering or sea cliffs.