North Carolina · Rock climbing · Highlands

Crown of Thorns

Near the lower end of Southeast Face's 22 catalogued routes.

5.9+
grade
Trad Gear
style

Is Crown of Thorns open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in North Carolina. It doesn't name Crown of Thorns, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in North Carolina. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Crown of Thorns

Best months: September–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

    42° / 24°

    14 wet

  2. Feb

    46° / 26°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    54° / 32°

    14 wet

  4. Apr

    62° / 39°

    13 wet

  5. May

    69° / 47°

    14 wet

  6. Jun

    75° / 54°

    15 wet

  7. Jul

    78° / 58°

    17 wet

  8. Aug

    76° / 57°

    16 wet

  9. Sep

    71° / 51°

    12 wet

  10. Oct

    63° / 41°

    11 wet

  11. Nov

    53° / 32°

    11 wet

  12. Dec

    45° / 27°

    14 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Highlands, NC, 4 mi away at 3,850 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

One of 22 routes catalogued at Southeast Face, this climb sits near the lower end of the crag's range which extends to 5.12c.

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