Mt Yonah conditions?

Ive been told the lowers get covered in vines and poison ivy this time of year. Anyone know if this is true? Do not want to make the hike up if this is true

It's true. The whole mountain is covered in Poison Ivy. The area around the lowers is some of the clearest you will find - besides the main face. The rocks at the lowers/white wall/main face all stay pretty clean. You can do it if you don't mind dodging an attack or two on the hike in.

Thanks Nick. Its a long hike up to not be able to climb

The Lowers has really bad quality rock and routes, in my opinion. If this is your first trip there, plan on checking out other areas at Yonah for better climbing.

Or, just make the drive to NC. You're most of the way there.

If you are going to brave the sun on a bigger wall during summer, you might as well go up to NC. Or, better yet, wait til it gets nice and cool in a few months and THEN get on a bigger wall. I've been hiding under the shade all summer at sport/shorter trad crags. Spent one day on a multipitch and it was miserably hot.. last time I will be doing that during the summer in the south.

I also agree with everything these fine gentlemen mention.

Thanks guys. Appreciate the advice. Looking for some routes that are well bolted and and around the 5:7 range. My climbing partner and I are both new to leading outdoors at least on our own. Lead in the gym and followed out doors. Figured the lowers would be a good place to start due to the large number of bolts and easy climbs. Not to mention it is close to home. I am open for any suggestions. Better yet I am open to climbing with anyone that needs a partner. Thanks again

Jon, Yonah will be great for you if you're looking for well bolted easier routes.

Lowers stays very clear year around b/c of the rangers and it's use. White Wall stays clean on the main routes, i.e. return of the Jodi, but the area between the trail and the wall is overgrown with weeds and poison ivy.

We typically climb the main face in the morning and then head down the mountain to lowers or white wall once the sun begins beating down of the exposed face. Lowers and white wall are in the shade of trees all day. Have fun