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The Upper Gunpowder Wall Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Upper Gunpowder Wall

Mud, Blood, and Slobber T,TR 5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a

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Elevation:	658 ft	201 m
GPS:	39.69412, -76.7946 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	472 total · 15/month
Shared By:	Jim Borton on May 16, 2022
Admins:	Frances Fierst, C S Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Details

Update (11/8/2023): It was recently brought to our attention that the Baltimore City Department of Public Works published Watershed Regulations in 2012 that prohibit, among other things, rock climbing ( publicworks.baltimorecity.g…). This contradicts what we've been told by the Baltimore Environmental Police (below). Hopefully, this can be resolved as was the case for mountain biking. In the meantime, please be discrete.

The Baltimore Environmental Police have jurisdiction over Prettyboy Reservoir. They welcome climbers as long as we don't damage anything. The Wildlife and Heritage Service of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages hunting in the Prettyboy Reservoir Watershed and issues permits (bow hunting only). Permits are not required other activities such as fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

Climbers have reported one occasion (May 8, 2023) when a DNR representative asked them to leave, saying that they needed a permit. This was shared with the Baltimore Environmental Police, and they said this was likely a misunderstanding on the part of the DNR representative and that no permit was needed. Rock climbing is OK.

Do not place bolts anywhere in the Prettyboy Watershed. This constitutes “damage” to the rock and is prohibited by the DNR, as outlined in its management plan for the Prettyboy Reservoir Cooperative Wildlife Managemwnt Area and enforced by the Baltimore Environmental Police.

Description

The Upper Gunpowder Wall is located in the northernmost tip of the Prettyboy Reservoir watershed. Far from anywhere, this is backcountry climbing. The wall is an exposed ridge of schist much like the Reservoir Wall and Bonus Wall located near the damn at the southern end of the reservoir.

Getting There

The Upper Gunpowder Wall is the Hoffmanville area, upstream from the popular Hemlock Grove swimming hole. It is on the south bank of the Gunpowder River. Park in the pull-out just on Gunpowder Road just north of the bridge over the Gunpowder. Hike south back over the bridge and pick up the fire road on your right. Follow this for about 0.4 miles until it turns left and uphill. Continue for about 0.1 of mile until the fire road levels out. Look for another fire road that intersects from the right. Take this fire road downhill for another 0.2 mile or so. It will return to the river. Follow this a another 0.1 mile. The Upper Gunpowder Wall will be on your left, right off of the trail.