North Carolina · Rock climbing · Lake Lure

Hickory Nutcracker Area

Hickory Nutcracker Area in North Carolina has 5 climbing routes.

5 routes

5.5 – 5.11

Trad · Sport

Best time to visit Hickory Nutcracker Area

Best months: February–June and September–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.

Jan
50° / 28°
9 wet
Feb
55° / 30°
8 wet
Mar
62° / 36°
9 wet
Apr
72° / 44°
9 wet
May
78° / 54°
10 wet
Jun
85° / 63°
11 wet
Jul
88° / 67°
11 wet
Aug
87° / 66°
10 wet
Sep
81° / 59°
8 wet
Oct
72° / 47°
7 wet
Nov
63° / 36°
7 wet
Dec
53° / 30°
8 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Lure 2, NC, 2.5 mi away at 1,040 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Hickory Nutcracker Area is a climbing area in North Carolina, about a mile from the community of Quail Ridge. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Lakeview Area and Rumbling Bald just 0.1 mile away, and The Cave at the same distance. The Cave and Rumbling Bald are both climbing areas, and the Rumbling Bald Loop hike is 0.4 mile off. The climbing here is trad, with one sport route, and the grades run from 5.5 up to 5.11. The five routes include Big Sister Aida and Waiting for Ben at 5.5, Hickory Nutcracker at 5.10+, and Bombay Corner at 5.11. For What It's Worth is the sport route at 5.10d. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Lake Lure show October highs around 72°F with lows near 47°F, and April is similar at 72°F by day and 44°F at night. That station sits about 576 feet lower than the area, so temperatures on the rock run a little cooler. Lake Lure is about 1.3 miles away for fishing, and the Great Woodlands Adventure Trail is 2.1 miles off.