Virginia · Rock climbing · McLean · Near Linton Hall

Backscratch

5.10-
grade
Trad Gear
style
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Backscratch open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in George Washington Memorial Parkway. It doesn't name Backscratch, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

  • Memorial Bridge Closed Monday, November 2, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

  • Northbound GWMP Lane Closures Between Spout Run and Route 123

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

  • Single Lane Closures on South Parkway Near River Farm Drive

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

  • Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway 3500 ft of right travel lane

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

As of · Source: NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

One of 12 routes catalogued at Degree 101, this climb sits in the middle of the crag's range from 3rd to 5.11+.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Marsden Tract Group Campsite

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Nov 13 on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Great Falls Snack Bar

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsJoe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Colvin Run Mill

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

    Operational 19th-century water-powered mill in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Joe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Linton Hall

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Nearby · Mather Gorge Maryland - Greek Wall Area · Romeo's Ladder · Seclusion
  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Backscratch

    Best months: March–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.

    1. Jan

      43° / 25°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 27°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      55° / 33°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 44°

      11 wet

    5. May

      76° / 54°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 63°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 68°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 59°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 47°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 36°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      47° / 30°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD, 7.9 mi away at 150 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Photo of the crag

Degree 101 — the crag this route is on
Degree 101, Virginia — this photo shows the crag, not this individual route.Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Mather Gorge Maryland - Greek Wall AreaPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mather Gorge Maryland - Greek Wall Area

Next door

5 trad routes at Mather Gorge Maryland - Greek Wall Area in Virginia.

Romeo's LadderPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Romeo's Ladder

Next door

Romeo's Ladder in Virginia has 14 climbing routes on 12 difficulty grades.

SeclusionPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Seclusion

Next door

Seclusion in Virginia has 17 climbing routes with 12 difficulty grades.

Mather Gorge Maryland - Trojan Wall AreaPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mather Gorge Maryland - Trojan Wall Area

Next door

Mather Gorge Maryland - Trojan Wall Area is a climbing crag in Virginia with 5 routes.

SpitzbergenPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Spitzbergen

Next door

Spitzbergen in Virginia has 9 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering bouldering, top-rope, and trad.

Juliet's BalconyPhoto: C&O Canal NHP, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Juliet's Balcony

Next door

Juliet's Balcony is a Virginia climbing crag with 3 trad routes.

Lower BalconyPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lower Balcony

Next door

Lower Balcony in Virginia has 5 climbing routes ranging from 5 difficulty grades.

Juliet's Balcony - Upper Balcony areaPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Juliet's Balcony - Upper Balcony area

Next door

Juliet's Balcony - Upper Balcony area in Virginia has 6 climbing routes across 4 grades.

Juliet's Balcony: UpstreamPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Juliet's Balcony: Upstream

Next door

6-route climbing area in Virginia with top-rope and trad options.

Cow's HoofPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cow's Hoof

Next door

Cow's Hoof in Virginia has 10 traditional climbing routes across 6 grades.