Virginia · Rock climbing · Dayton · Near Staunton

Lower Hidden

15 routes
5.5 – 5.11b/c
Trad · Top Rope · Bouldering
Aug–Nov
best months

Is Lower Hidden open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. It doesn't name Lower Hidden, 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.

Lower Hidden is a climbing area in the North River Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of trails and climbing sectors, with Rocky Run Trail and Hidden Rocks both about 0.1 mile away. The area has 15 routes, with 12 done in trad and two on top rope. Grades run from 5.5 up to 5.11b/c. Among the named routes are Bucketland (5.5, top rope), Rainy Day Woman (5.9+, trad) and Toprope This! (5.11b/c, trad). The Hidden Cracks - RIGHT and LEFT sectors are within half a mile. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dale Enterprise show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 78°F, with July peaking near 86°F. That station sits about 500 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures up high run cooler. Hone Quarry Campground is about 1.2 miles away, and Todd Lake Campground is roughly 8 miles off.

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 Lower Hidden

    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, 9.8 mi away at 1,358 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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