Kentucky · Rock climbing · Stanton

Left Flank

Left Flank in Kentucky has 22 climbing routes with bouldering, sport, and trad options.

22 routes
5.8 – 5.13b
Sport · Trad · Mixed

Is Left Flank open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Left Flank, 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 Left Flank

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, 12.8 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Left Flank is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among a cluster of climbing and hiking spots, with the D. Boon Hut Trail just 0.2 miles away and the Military Wall climbing area 0.3 miles off. The area has 22 routes, mostly sport climbs with a few trad and bouldering options. Grades run from 5.8 up to 5.13b, with the hardest route, Table of Colors Direct, at 5.13b. Among the sport routes, Maypop is 5.11b and Too Many Puppies is 5.12a. The boulder route is listed as V2. For timing, fall is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Beattyville show October highs around 69°F with lows near 44°F, and September and October see the fewest wet days of the year. Nearby, the Rough Trail and Rough Trail #221 are both about 0.4 miles away. Miguel's Campsite is 2.4 miles off, and the Middle Fork Red River offers paddling about 2.7 miles away.

Routes (22)

Fast Food ChristiansFA: T. Kindred5.10aTo Defy The Laws Of TraditionFA: P. Jarrard, C. Snyder5.10aRelaxed AtmoshereFA: P. Jarrard, J. Baker, R. Turan, 19915.11Trad Boy GoFA: John Bronaugh, Tim Powers, 19935.11aAquaduck PocketFA: P. Jarrard, R. Turran, J. Baker, 19915.11bHenryFA: P. Garrard, S. Langley, 19915.11bMaypopFA: P. Jarrard, M. Flach5.11bThird World LoverFA: P. Jarrard, J. Baker, R. Turan, 19915.11cUnsportsmanlike ConductFA: Tom Souders, Mark Schorle5.11cToo Many PuppiesFA: Porter Jarrard, Chris Snyder, 19925.12aWild Yet TastyFA: Porter Jarrard, Jeff Moll, 19925.12aInfectiousFA: Porter Jarrard, 19915.12bMercy the HuffFA: Porter Jarrard, Chris Snyder, 19915.12bSex FarmFA: Porter Jarrard - 19915.12bStunning the HogFA: Porter Jarrard - 19915.12dThe DinosaurFA: Portar Jarrard, Tony Berlier5.12dTable of ColorsFA: Porter Jarrard, Mark Williams5.13aTable of Colors Direct5.13bFace Up To That CrackFA: K. Pogue, E. Weinman Pogue5.8Mr. BungleFA: J. Moll5.8Brother StairFA: P. Jarrard, 19925.9+Fresh MeatV2

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