The upper access trail to Jamestown is permanently closed. MORE INFO >>>
The Southeastern Climbers Coalition has established a new access trail from the valley below the Jamestown crag as of July 2007. The upper access trail to Jamestown is permanently closed. The Alabama Power Co., which had leased the trail right-of-way to the SCC (owner of Jamestown), declined to renew the lease this past spring. Do not use this upper trail or you'll be trespassing!
Directions for the new trail are shown above, but this access is somewhat obscure, so it could be easy to get lost and/or mistakenly stray onto private farmland. Until the trail becomes more familiar and well-travelled, it's probably wise to go with someone who already knows the way.
Though the Jamestown crag is owned by the Southeastern Climbers Coalition, access to the cliff passes through privately-owned land. The landowners in the valley have been gracious enough to grant this right-of-way, so the SCC asks that all climbers be respectful of these property owners' privacy.
Additionally, the land above the cliffline as well as the land past the end of the SCC property is owned by private landowners, many of whom are hostile to climbers. Do not top out on the cliff under any circumstances. Do not climb in areas that are plainly marked off limits, and do not go past the sign at the end of the SCC property (about where the route Cinnamon Girl is located).
There is no camping allowed at Jamestown. The nearest camping is in DeSoto State Park near Fort Payne.
For the most up-to-date information on Jamestown, check the SCC website.
BETA PHOTO: This drawing shows the road in to the new Jamestow...
Description
Jamestown is Alabama's surprise gift to trad climbing. Located where the tail end of Lookout Mountain pokes down from Tennessee, Jamestown's sandstone cliffs have a lot in common with some of that state's great crags. And unlike some more popular destinations, Jamestown retains a pristine wilderness flavor, due in large part to its isolated location.
Climbing at Jamestown goes back to 1978, when Rich Gottlieb scouted out the crag on a day too rainy for climbing at Sand Rock. Over the several years, Gottlieb and well-known southern climbers like Chick Holtkamp, Shannon Stegg, Rob Robinson and others established numerous excellent trad lines.
For a long time, Jamestown was one of those semi-secret destinations, known and climbed by only the chosen few. But even the chosen few got shut out in the early 90s when a local property owner who claimed ownership over the crag forbade climbing there. All that changed in 2005, when the Southeastern Climbers Coalition did some research and found the real owner of the cliffline. A deal was worked out and Jamestown was sold to the SCC, reopening climbing there for the first time since 1993.
With a few notable exceptions, Jamestown is a trad climbing area. No bolting is allowed without express approval by the SCC. It's also worth noting that the cliff is prone to water seepage, which makes large sections slick and wet for a week or more after any rainfall.
Getting There
From Atlanta, head north on I-75 to the Rome exit (Hwy. 411/20, exit 290). Continue through Rome on GA 20 and into Alabama; about five miles past the border, turn right (north) on SR 35. Proceed on 35 past the intersection with Hwy. 68, then watch for the next major crossing, county roads 273 and 15 (you'll see a derelict gas station/convenience store at this corner).
Turn right on CR 15 and continue for about three miles. After passing a cemetery on the left, watch for a gravel turnoff on the left with a small street number sign (3147). Turn left here and follow this dirt/gravel road past an old stone dam on the left and through the woods until you reach a clearing for farm pasture on the left.
Look for a turnoff on the right and turn here, following the track through a pasture and back into the woods. Continue until this intersects with a well-defined farm road that follows the power lines. Turn left here and finish at a dirt parking area at the base of the power lines. Hike up the powerline trail and watch for flagging with surveyor's tape to indicate where the trail cuts left into the woods. Follow the flagged trail up to the cliff and turn left at the SCC kiosk.
One of a small handful of sport routes at Jamestown, Twinkle Toes requires crimps and delicate balance. An excellent climb.From the ledge, make a tenuous mantel move to a small ledge, then continue up the face on thin holds to the top....[more]
Heard some great and funny stories about the development of Jamestown from Rich Gottlieb while visiting the Gunks and his shop Rock and Snow in New Paltz...if you're in the shop introduce yourself...he loves to talk.
Jamestown
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