Seneca Rocks

Seneca Rocks
The North and South Peaks viewed from the west
Map showing the location of Seneca Rocks
Map showing the location of Seneca Rocks
LocationPendleton County, West Virginia
Nearest citySeneca Rocks, West Virginia
RangeAppalachians
Coordinates38°50′05″N 79°21′58″W / 38.83472°N 79.36611°W / 38.83472; -79.36611
Climbing typetraditional crag
Height900 feet above stream level[1]
Pitches4
Ratings5.0-5.13 with most routes in 5.7-5.11 range
GradesI and II
Rock typeTuscarora quartzite
Quantity of rockmonths worth (over 375 routes)
Developmentwell developed
Cliff aspecteast and west
Seasonspring to fall
OwnershipNational Forest
CampingSeneca Shadows[2] & 2 private campsites in town (all paid)
Classic climbs
  • Gunsight to South Peak (5.3),
  • Conn's West (5.4),
  • Conn's East (5.6),
  • Candy Corner (5.5),
  • Ecstasy(5.7),
  • Soler (5.7),
  • West Pole (5.7),
  • The Burn (5.8),
  • Triple S (5.8),
  • Castor / Pollux (5.10),
  • Marshall's Madness / Crack of Dawn (5.10a),
  • Adam's Climb (5.10c),
  • Mr. Jones (5.11c),
  • The Bell (5.11+),
  • Psycho Driller (5.12c),
  • Black Mamba (5.12c),
  • Fine Young Cannibals (5.13a)
Stars

Seneca Rocks is a large crag and local landmark in Pendleton County in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, United States. The south peak is the only peak inaccessible except by technical rock climbing techniques on the East Coast of the United States. One of the best-known scenic attractions in West Virginia, the sheer rock faces are a popular challenge for rock climbers.

Seneca Rocks is easily visible from, and accessible by way of, West Virginia Route 28, West Virginia Route 55 and U.S. Route 33 in the Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest. The three highways converge in the hamlet of Seneca Rocks, which is named for the cliffs nearby.

"The Gendarme" at Seneca Rocks in mid-summer 1985
  1. ^ Forest Service. "Seneca Rocks". Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  2. ^ Forest Service. "Seneca Shadows Campground". Retrieved 29 October 2012.