Maryland · Rock climbing · Thurmont · Near Ballenger Creek

Down Range Rocks

10 routes
5.6 – 5.10b
Top Rope · Trad
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Down Range Rocks is a climbing area in Maryland, about 0.8 miles from Thurmont Overlook. Several other climbing areas sit close by, including Pinnacle, The, Four Aretes and TWS Rocks, all within about 0.4 miles. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Catoctin Mtn Park run to highs around 73°F in May and 75°F in September, while July averages reach about 84°F. Cunningham Falls State Park Campground and the Old Misery Trail are each about 0.9 miles away, and Camp Misty Mount is about 2.3 miles off. Toms Creek, a paddling spot in Pennsylvania, lies roughly 10 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Cunningham Falls State Park Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Los Amigos

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsAcroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 13 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Ballenger Creek
  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Down Range Rocks

    Best months: April and June–October. 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

      39° / 23°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 25°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 31°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 42°

      12 wet

    5. May

      73° / 52°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 65°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 63°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 58°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 46°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 36°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 28°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Catoctin Mtn Park, MD, 3.5 mi away at 1,610 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (10)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Wolf RockPhoto: TrailVoice, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Wolf Rock

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The Main WallPhoto: TrailVoice, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Main Wall

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Wolf's Head PillarPhoto: TrailVoice, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Cliff Trail BouldersPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cliff Trail Boulders

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Cunningham FallsPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cunningham Falls

~4 min drive

Cunningham Falls is a Maryland climbing area with 5 routes on bouldering pads.

Chief BlockPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Chief Block

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The Pinnacle

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Compact Maryland crag with solid rock and accessible mixed-grade climbing.

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Four Aretes

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TWS Rocks -

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The Roof Arete

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