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Rock outcropping visible from I – 66 in Virginia?

Original Post
Kirby Crider · · DC · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 25

Anyone know anything about the rocks you can see when heading east on I 66, back into Washington DC? You can see them clearly starting at about mile marker 32, but you can get quite a good look at them at 34.4. It looks like there might be some short routes of them, or at least some bouldering. I'm sure it's a long shot, but I thought maybe somebody had checked them out. Thanks in advance!

Marty C · · Herndon, VA · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 70
Kirby wrote:Anyone know anything about the rocks you can see when heading east on I 66, back into Washington DC? You can see them clearly starting at about mile marker 32, but you can get quite a good look at them at 34.4. It looks like there might be some short routes of them, or at least some bouldering. I'm sure it's a long shot, but I thought maybe somebody had checked them out. Thanks in advance!
You are looking at Bull Run Mountain.
Unfortunately, while there are some short top rope and trad lead pitches there, it is "off limits/no climbing allowed".

The land is privately owned by a nature conservatory group, and while hiking is allowed, no climbing.
Kirby Crider · · DC · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 25

Thanks for the info! Bummer on the access issues. I had assumed it would be something like bushwhack rocks, or sugarloaf, but closer to DC. I really need to move to an area with good rock closer than 3 hrs...

David Engel · · Santa Rosa, CA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 320

There are actually two different rock areas at Bull Run Mountain. I climbed there frequently in the early 70's and some in the 80's. One of our favorites was the overhang on a pinnacle of rock which we called "Bull Run Overhang." Probably it was in the 5.8 range. We had occasional encounters with rattlesnakes on the mountain. In those years, we would camp at the top of the ridge next to the rocks. We climbed probably 20 routes at this site. It seems insane that the Nature Conservancy won't let people climb there now. When we climbed there, we hauled out trash that people tossed at the parking area.

David Engel climbing Bull Run Overhang. circa 1979 Wearing RR's (Royal Robins rock climbing shoes).

David Engel · · Santa Rosa, CA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 320
David Engel · · Santa Rosa, CA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 320
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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