Virginia · Rock climbing · Dayton · Near Staunton

Hidden Cracks - LEFT Sector

6 routes
5.5 – 5.11+
Trad · Top Rope
Aug–Nov
best months

Is Hidden Cracks - LEFT Sector open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. It doesn't name Hidden Cracks - LEFT Sector, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Hidden Cracks - LEFT Sector is a climbing area in the North River Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Hidden Rocks just 0.1 mile away and Lower Hidden about 0.4 mile off. The Hidden Cracks - RIGHT Sector is 0.7 mile away, so climbers can easily pair the left and right sectors in one visit. The area has six routes, five of which are trad and one a top rope. Grades run from 5.5 to 5.11+, with Doublecrack and Stairway to Heaven at 5.5 and Melonhead at 5.11+ as the top rope. The hardest route, Melonhead, was first climbed by Paul Sullivan. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Dale Enterprise show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 78°F, with July peaking near 86°F. Hone Quarry Campground is 1.2 miles away for an overnight stay, and the Hone Quarry Ridge Trail is 0.4 mile off for a walk.

Around this trail

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

    Hone Quarry Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    MTN. Mystic Studio and Gallery

    Gallery

    On your way back · 16 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Staunton
  • Best time to go · Aug–Nov

    Best time to visit Hidden Cracks - LEFT Sector

    Best months: 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

      42° / 23°

      10 wet · 3 snow

    2. Feb

      46° / 24°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      54° / 30°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      65° / 40°

      13 wet

    5. May

      73° / 50°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 60°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 64°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 62°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 55°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      67° / 43°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 32°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      46° / 26°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dale Enterprise, VA, 10.1 mi away at 1,358 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (6)

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