Annapolis Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  1,800' Lat, Long:  39.5731, -77.5994 Map Page Views:  15,156. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  Frances Fierst, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  vfv on Apr 17, 2010 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

View from the top of Annapolis Rocks

Description 

Annapolis Rock, a ca. 50 minute, 2 mile hike up the Appalachian Trail in the backcountry of the South Mountain Recreation Area (South Mountain State Park), is a terrific, short band of western facing cliffs 1800 feet above the Cumberland Valley and Greenbrier Lake near Frederick, MD. The rock is bullet-hard quartzite characterized by smooth bulges and long, horizontal fractures. It's a great Maryland area for TRing and Trad.

The single pitch climbs are often top roped. Long (50+ ft) webbing or static line will serve to anchor to the many boulders and trees atop the cliff. A few large to medium pieces of pro may be helpful for anchoring as well.

There is a backcountry camping area, a privy, and a spring (you might want to treat the water before drinking, or maybe not) on site. The camping area seems to be heavily used.

Getting There 

From Baltimore take I-70 West to Exit 42, Myersville (bear right off the ramp). Follow Route 17 through town; it takes a right. At the intersection of Route 40, go left onto Route 40. After about 3 miles you will see parking by the road and a sign for the Appalachian Trail. Park here. Put on your pack and hike the AT north (following signs and white blazes) for about 2 miles. You will see a sign for Annapolis Rock at a short side trail off to the left. You've arrived.

The Classics

Featured Route For Annapolis Rock

Black Crack 5.9+  MD : Annapolis Rock : The South End

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BETA PHOTO: Parking off of Rt 40 at the beginning of the 2 mil...	BETA PHOTO: Follow the signs along the AT to Annapolis Rock	BETA PHOTO: Follow the signs along the AT to Annapolis Rock.
BETA PHOTO: After 2.2 miles on the AT, take the short access t...	BETA PHOTO: Backcountry camping at Annapolis Rock.	BETA PHOTO: The mouldering privy. Just like home.
BETA PHOTO: The top of the cliff band at the end of the access...	BETA PHOTO: Weverton Formation Quartzite with smooth bulges an...