Highland Bouldering Area  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  36.6333, -81.5089 Map Page Views:  8,302. Good page? (1 like)    Administrator:  Aaron James Parlier Submitted By:  Aaron James Parlier on Jul 7, 2009 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Travis on the "Horizon Line" (v5), on the Horizon ...

Description 

This is by far the most well known area in Grayson Highlands State Park. Ask someone if they have ever been to Grayson Highlands, and this will be the first place that will come to mind if they have.
From the wild ponys and the natural balds, to the wind swept and seemingly endless views, this place is beautiful and memorable. That also holds true to the bouldering that can be found here. the exposed rock is angular, smooth, and as picturesque as a climber could ever ask for. you can find lowball powerhouse problems like "the edge of time" (V-6), Proud and classic highballs like "Horizon Line" (v5/6), and hidden classics like "Foot Kaput" (V-4).
If you feel like getting a full value bouldering experience, with ponys, an excellent hike, views, and amazing bouldering problems with poster worthy pictures, this place is the place to visit. (If you follow the trail on the Tele Atlas feature, you can see the huge boulders on the mountaintops).
This is home to the most viewed boulder in the park, The Horizon Boulder, which is the massive overlooking boulder on the obvious cluster on Wilburn ridge, closest to the roadside parking. this boulder is home to the "Horizon Line" (v5/6) which is one of the most phenomenal lines in the park. Highball feeling, windswept, exposed, a bit scary, and beyond picturesque... come out and experience it for yourself:)

Getting There 

Its super easy to get to the Highlands area (its easy to get anywhere in Grayson)you just drive through the park on the main road and make no turns. look for the parking spaces off the right side of the road with the sign that says "Rhododendron Gap Parking Area" and beyond that will be a field and a bald, grassy hill. Park here.
Then, hike past the sign that says "Be Prepared For Drastic Weather Change" (the sign isnt joking).
Walk past the sign and to the big map stand with the roof over it. it will have the "you are here" map, and "do not feed the wild ponys" signs on it.
Walk through the gate and follow the trail up the hill.
When you reach the top of the hill you will see the three hill tops with the stony, megalithic outcroppings protruding from them.
Take you pick....
In the route section of this site, i will describe the routes location by cluster 1, 2, & 3. I am doing so from the standpoint where you would just be topping the hill and first seeing stone. Cluster 1 is to you right when standing here, and it is the closest. cluster 2 and 3 are further away and to your left on the far two hill tops. the lonely boulder is to your left as well, and is closer than cluster 2 and 3.

The Classics

Featured Route For Highland Bouldering Area

Event Horizon V8  VA : Grayson Highlands State Par... : ... : Horizon Boulder

It doesn’t get much prouder than this boulder, and this is the toughest line on the block.This is on the left side of the main face of Horizon, to the left of "Horizon Line " (V5).At the base of the boulder there is a large in-cut gap. To the left of this, look up and find the small quartzite crimps and crystals. Near these look for the best diagonal in-cut crimp rail, and this is the right hand for the stand start to "Event Horizon". I had to stand on two pads to reach the left hand which is at...[more]   Browse More Classics in VA

Photos of Highland Bouldering Area Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Aaron Parlier on the FA of "Left Side Ride" (V2ish...	BETA PHOTO: Jordan on "Foot Kaput" (V-4), The Lonely Boulder a...	BETA PHOTO: Steve Lovelace on the start to "Foot Kaput" (V-4),...
BETA PHOTO: Steve Lovelace on the start to "Foot Kaput", Lonel...	The first cluster at The highland Bouldering Area,...	BETA PHOTO: The Highland Welcoming Boulder, the closest boulde...
BETA PHOTO: "Welcome to the Highlands" (V-1+)highlands welcomi...	BETA PHOTO: Aaron Parlier, on the start to "Foot Kaput" (V-4) ...	BETA PHOTO: Aaron Parlier moving through "Foot Kaput" (V-4) hi...
BETA PHOTO: Aaron Parlier sticking the dyno on "Foot Kaput" (V...	A profile shot of "The Lonely Boulder" highland Bo...	The trail up to the highland Bouldering Area, Gray...
The Highlands Welcoming Boulder, and a taste of th...	The Welcome sign	Nearing the Highlands Area, GHSP
Travis on "Horizon Line" (v5), on the Horizon Boul...	Travis on the "Horizon Line" (v5), on the Horizon ...	The view of the first cluster (Horizon Area on the...
Aaron James Parlier Topping out "Sunset Arete" at ...	Sam Stephens on the FA of "Braveheart" (Highball V...	Aaron James Parlier looking for another FA on the ...