Tennessee · Rock climbing · Jonesborough

Back Crack

Mid-range climb in the Back Crag sector of Highball Area.

5.7
grade
Trad Gear
style

Is Back Crack open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Cherokee National Forest. It doesn't name Back Crack, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Cherokee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Back Crack

Best months: April and 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

    46° / 26°

    12 wet · 1 snow

  2. Feb

    50° / 28°

    12 wet · 1 snow

  3. Mar

    59° / 34°

    13 wet

  4. Apr

    69° / 42°

    12 wet

  5. May

    77° / 52°

    13 wet

  6. Jun

    83° / 60°

    13 wet

  7. Jul

    85° / 64°

    13 wet

  8. Aug

    85° / 62°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    80° / 56°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    70° / 44°

    9 wet

  11. Nov

    59° / 33°

    11 wet

  12. Dec

    50° / 29°

    13 wet · 1 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Elizabethton, TN, 8.4 mi away at 1,487 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

One of four routes catalogued in the Back Crag sector of Highball Area, this climb sits in the middle of the grade range established at the crag.