Big Tex Cave
Big Tex Cave in Tennessee has 9 climbing routes with 6 difficulty grades.
- 9 routes
- 5.11a – 5.12d
- Sport · Trad
Best time to visit Big Tex Cave
Best months: April–June 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.
Jan
44° / 26°
13 wet · 1 snow
Feb
49° / 30°
12 wet · 1 snow
Mar
57° / 37°
13 wet · 1 snow
Apr
67° / 45°
12 wet
May
74° / 54°
12 wet
Jun
80° / 61°
12 wet
Jul
83° / 65°
13 wet
Aug
83° / 64°
11 wet
Sep
78° / 58°
9 wet
Oct
68° / 47°
9 wet
Nov
57° / 37°
10 wet
Dec
48° / 30°
13 wet · 1 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Monteagle, TN, 9.8 mi away at 1,850 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Big Tex Cave is a climbing area in Tennessee's South Cumberland, a cluster of climbing spots that sit close together. The cave itself is a short walk from Denny West and Moonshiner Wall, and Orange Wall is just as near, so the area works well as a single stop or a longer day of climbing. The climbing here is sport-oriented, with a few trad routes. Of the nine routes listed, eight are sport and one is trad. The grades run from 5.11a up to 5.12d, with Texas Heat at 5.11c being the only trad option. Big Tex, the hardest route at 5.12d, is a sport climb. For timing, fall is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Monteagle show October highs around 68°F with lows near 47°F, and September and October see the fewest wet days of the year. The Fiery Gizzard Trail is about 2 miles away, and Big Fiery Gizzard Creek offers paddling about 3.4 miles off. Raven Point Trail and Dog Hole Trail are both within about 5 miles.
Routes (9)
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