Franklin Gorge
Climbing Sections:
- Contact zone (19)
- Impact Zone (41)
- Parking Area Wall (8)
- River's Bend (26)
About Franklin Gorge:
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Third and Possibly Last Franklin Traildaze- August 29-Sept 1, 2008. Volunteers to help with trail work and help stabilize the base areas of assorted spots would be welcome. Contact Michael Gray at 304-358-3330, or by email: roninthorne@rockclimbing.com. Located in a scenic river gorge that was once a town park, Franklin Gorge is unique among America's sport climbing areas, in that, while it is privately owned, there are no fees for climbing or camping. First discovered and developed by John Burcham and friends during the early to mid 90s, and the first place many Mid-Atlantic climbers cut their teeth on bolted routes before going on to challenge more renowned areas like the New River Gorge. This crag is located on a group of private properties and should be treated very gently. Access is open at the moment, but impact has increased exponentially over the years, most of it being climbers and their pets, many of whom have not been the best ambassadors of our community. Because of this, local party activities and vandalism, as well as the publication of unauthorized (usually incomplete and inaccurate) topos and guidebooks (including but not limited to the m. greeby/mindspring maps, Tim Toula's "Rock and Road' and the esteemed Mr. E. Horst's "WV, VA, and MD Guide"), there has been recent discussion among the landowners and local law enforcement of closing the entire crag/access road to the public. Do NOT block the signed gate to the left of the Parking Lot wall unless you'd like your vehicle jerked out of the way by a logging truck and then towed to Petersburg or Moorefield. Please leave your dog at home, try to minimize group sizes, stay on the trail, tread lightly regardless of your numbers, and be polite to every local person that you meet at Franklin.
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| Nearest town or city: | Franklin |
| Directions: | From Harrisonburg, VA the distance is about 41 miles, driving time is just over an hour. To reach Franklin: Drive west on Rte 33, through Rawley Springs, into the National Forest and over Shenandoah Mountain, with great views all along the way (about 15 miles to the top of Shenandoah Mtn from Harrisonburg). Stay on Rte 33 through the small town of Brandywine, making a right turn before passing over a bridge on the way out of town. Watch for deer along this stretch of road near sunset. Pass through Oak Flats to climb over the next mountain and descend into Franklin, past a welding shop and State Police Headquarters. The Roadside Crag lies along this stretch of road, as well, directly across from Delta Road 31. 2.8 miles after the State Police HQ, slow down as you approach the obvious bridge over the South Fork of the Potomac River, with Kemper's Store on your right. Please patronize this local business, whose owners have always been welcoming to climbers of all types. Between Kemper's entrance and the bridge is 5|11 River Gap Road (dirt). Turn right. Maximum speed on this road should be about 10 mph- it is narrow and rough, and large 4x4s can appear from the opposite direction. Follow dirt road to obvious parking, exactly one half mile in. Park in consideration of other parties and traffic. Please do not block the gate going up the mountain, or your car may be towed. To reach the new trail, new bouldering, and upper walls: Hike up the log/stone steps leading to the "Parking Lot Wall" (Obvious, about 10' right of a huge, bullet-riddled hemlock trunk). Head right from here along the new (and still improving) trail. For the River's Bend crags, park as you would for anything else, then hike downstream to where the road ends and continue along the riverbank for another 2/10s of a mile. Coming from Seneca, the Franklin Gorge turn off is one mile east of the town of Franklin on Route 33. Camping is available at Thorn Springs campground, although no pets are allowed. (http://www.pendletoncounty.net/LZpages/page-thorn.htm). Call (304) 358-7737. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | |
| Access Issues: | |
| Camping: | Yes |
| When to Climb: | |
| Quantity of Climbs: | Month |
| Books: | "MD, Va, WVA Regional Guide" by Eric Horst, with inaccurate topos and erroneous route names/ratings. On-line guide: http://mgreeby.home.mindspring.com/franklin.htm. |
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