Minnesota · Rock climbing · Crane Lake Township

Hanging Chad

Is Hanging Chad open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Hanging Chad, so check the source for the area it covers.

Post Wildfire Closures, Effective October 1, 2026
Agency closure covering Superior National Forest · Order 09-09-00-26-11 · USFS · Superior National Forest
Forest Road Improvement Projects
Agency alert covering Superior National Forest · USFS · Superior National Forest

As of Nov 9, 11:20 PM CST · Source: USFS · Superior National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

One of 14 climbs catalogued at C Section, ranging from 5.8 to 5.12-. First ascent by Sean Foster.

Also worth it near here
- Crane Lake (E) Public Water Access SiteBoat launch · ~3 min drive
- The GorgeHiking · ~6 min drivePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Echo Lake (minn)Camping · ~9 min drive
- Fiftysix RapidsWaterfall · ~10 min drive
Best time to visit Hanging Chad
Best months: August. 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
  15° / -8°
  13 wet
2. Feb
  21° / -6°
  10 wet
3. Mar
  34° / 8°
  9 wet
4. Apr
  48° / 23°
  11 wet
5. May
  61° / 35°
  14 wet
6. Jun
  71° / 46°
  15 wet
7. Jul
  75° / 51°
  14 wet
8. Aug
  74° / 48°
  12 wet
9. Sep
  64° / 41°
  13 wet
10. Oct
  50° / 31°
  14 wet
11. Nov
  33° / 17°
  14 wet
12. Dec
  21° / 2°
  13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Orr 3e, MN, 19.3 mi away at 1,315 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
- Forest-wide Fire Restrictions
  Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service