Kentucky · Rock climbing · Glencairn

Friction Slab AKA Bulldog Boulder

Friction Slab AKA Bulldog Boulder in Kentucky has 5 climbing routes.

5 routes
V0+ – V8
Bouldering · Sport · Trad

Is Friction Slab AKA Bulldog Boulder open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Friction Slab AKA Bulldog Boulder, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Friction Slab AKA Bulldog Boulder

Best months: August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    42° / 24°

    13 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 27°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    57° / 34°

    15 wet

  4. Apr

    68° / 44°

    15 wet

  5. May

    75° / 53°

    15 wet

  6. Jun

    82° / 61°

    14 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 65°

    14 wet

  8. Aug

    84° / 64°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    79° / 57°

    10 wet

  10. Oct

    69° / 44°

    12 wet

  11. Nov

    57° / 35°

    12 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 28°

    13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Beattyville 4n, KY, 9.4 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Friction Slab, also known as Bulldog Boulder, is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with the Natural Bridge Region about half a mile away and Emerald City under a mile off. The area offers a mix of bouldering and sport and trad climbing. Five routes are listed, with three boulders and one each of sport and trad. The boulders range from V0+ to V8, and the hardest of them, Bulldog, was first climbed by Dave Hume. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Beattyville show May highs around 75°F and October highs near 69°F, while July and August average about 84°F. Nearby, the Sand Gap Trail and Balanced Rock Trail on the Sheltowee Trace NRT #100 are about a mile away, and Miguel's Campsite is roughly 1.5 miles off.

Routes (5)

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