Looking Glass Rock
Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service
Area rep: Mike Reardon mreardon@carolinaclimbers.org
Looking Glass Rock is probably the most iconic climbing area in the S.E. and certainly one of the most well-known and well-visited.
This 600' granite monolith rises imposingly out of the center of the Pisgah National Forest. As impressive as this dome is, it is quite user-friendly and is as adventurous as one chooses it to be! Well protected moderates and advanced climbs await traditional climbers on the shady North Face of Looking Glass. Run out test pieces and A1-A4+ aid routes ask to be climbed by novice and experienced aid climbers alike.
Looking Glass hosts many varied climbing areas, below are some of the main areas but there are many more than what is listed below:
The South face: Home to routes in the one to three pitch routes from 5.6 to 5.12
The Sun Wall: Home to routes in the five/six pitch range from 5.9 to 5.12
The Nose area: Home to the most classic route on the Glass, The Nose. (5.8) and a host of other fine multi-pitch classics up to 5.11
The North Face: Home to aid routes up to A4+ and free climbs to 5.13
The Hidden Wall: Technical edgers and face climbers rejoice! Multi-pitch routes from 5.9 to 5.12
Most routes at Looking Glass require two ropes to descend. Bring your TCU's and tri-cams plus lots of long runners.
Access notes
The North Face is subject to seasonal Peregrine Falcon closures, please check the closures page for current info.
Trail Issues
The CCC recently acquired a Sponsored Volunteer Agreement with the Pisgah Ranger District. We now have several volunteer Trail Crew Leaders that can conduct trail maintenance in the District.
Guidebook
Southern Pisgah Rock and Ice. Visit www.grounduppublishing.com for more info