Obed & Clear Creek  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  36.1166, -84.7317 Map Page Views:  149,627. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  saxfiend, Brad "Stonyman" Killough, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Josh Janes on Nov 28, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (1)  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 79° | 66° 84° | 64° 84° | 64° 84° | 63° 79° | 61°

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Description 

The confluence of Clear Creek and the Obed River are home of a series of beautiful sandstone cliff bands and some of the best sport climbing in the Southeast. Just bring a rack of draws, a stick clip (high first bolts are commonplace in these parts), and guns (double entendre intended). The rock here is Cumberland Plateau sandstone, and the sedimentary layering of the rock tends to form huge horizontal roofs, jugs, and slopers. The rock is generally bullet hard and provides good friction. Climbing happens year-round — chase the shade or sun depending on the season.

There are several camping areas but by far the best is Del & Marti Scruggs' place. Del lives in the heart of the Obed and has quite a bit of land that he graciously offers to traveling climbers: As you drive into the Obed, after passing Doc Howard Road on the left, Ridge Road drops steeply down to the Lilly Bridge. Just before this drop there is a mailbox and a gravel drive to the right. Turn here and bear left at the fork. Camping rules and the pay kiosk are on the left (the fee is $5 per person, per night). If you make use of this incredible resource please leave the area nicer than you found it and be considerate: The Scruggs live right amongst the "campsites" which are actually just pulloffs along their driveway. Make sure to bring food/beer/stories to share around the fire on weekends!

Getting There 

About 45 minutes NW of Knoxville. Take highway 27 North through Harriman and Wartburg. Take a left onto highway 62 and follow this windy road through the town of Lancing. After about three miles, turn left again on Ridge Road. This road brings one to the Obed and Clear Creek after only a few miles. For more specific directions, see the area pages.

The Classics

Featured Route For Obed & Clear Creek

The Odyssey 5.12a  TN : Obed & Clear Creek : Y- 12

Climb through the sustained steepness heading for the ledge (way up there) for a full sit down rest. Now thug your way through another roof and into...Formerly called Little Duke...[more]   Browse More Classics in TN

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Tang 5.12a	Gunslinger 5.11d	Pocketeer 5.11b