Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Campground
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Virginia · Rock climbing · McLean · Near Linton Hall
Microdome
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 7 routes
- 5.6 – 5.11+
- Trad · Top Rope
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Microdome is a climbing area in Virginia, about half a mile from Great Falls, Maryland, across the state line. It sits among a cluster of other climbing areas, with Flat Iron, Gorky Park and Sandbox all within about a tenth of a mile, so it works well as one stop in a day of exploring the surrounding crags. The area has seven routes, six of which are trad and one is top rope. Grades run from 5.6 up to 5.11+, with the Vision Route at the top end. The M-1 is the top rope option, and the B-29 and B-52 are among the easier trad routes, both first ascended in the early 1970s. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 76°F and September highs around 79°F, while July averages climb to about 88°F. The Matildaville Trail and the River Trail are both within a third of a mile, and the Little Falls Branch, a paddling route in Maryland, is about 8 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Great Falls Snack Bar
Fast food
On your way back · 1 mi
If it rainsJoe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsColvin Run Mill
Museum
On your way back · 3 miOperational 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 HallBest time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Microdome
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.
Jan
43° / 25°
10 wet
Feb
46° / 27°
9 wet
Mar
55° / 33°
11 wet
Apr
68° / 44°
11 wet
May
76° / 54°
11 wet
Jun
84° / 63°
10 wet
Jul
88° / 68°
10 wet
Aug
86° / 66°
10 wet
Sep
79° / 59°
9 wet
Oct
68° / 47°
10 wet
Nov
56° / 36°
10 wet
Dec
47° / 30°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD, 8.4 mi away at 150 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Flat Iron
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Flat Iron in Virginia has 9 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Sandbox
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Sandbox in Virginia has 13 climbing routes with 10 difficulty grades.
Photo: Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Rocky Island - North End
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Rocky Island - North End in Virginia has 6 trad routes across 5 difficulty grades.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Cigar Box
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Cigar Box in Virginia has 10 climbing routes across 7 grades, featuring top-rope and trad styles.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Rocky Island
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Rocky Island in Virginia has 5 traditional climbing routes across 4 difficulty grades.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Dihedrals
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Photo: olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)The Rocky Islands
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Virginia waterside climbing area with varied routes and scenic appeal.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)The Dike Creek Area
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Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Juliet's Balcony: Upstream
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6-route climbing area in Virginia with top-rope and trad options.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Lower Balcony
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Lower Balcony in Virginia has 5 climbing routes ranging from 5 difficulty grades.
