West Virginia · Rock climbing · Valley Grove

Bear Rock Lake Bouldering (Wheeling)

15 bouldering routes in West Virginia, 7 difficulty grades.

15 routes
V1 – V6
Bouldering

Best time to visit Bear Rock Lake Bouldering (Wheeling)

Best months: September–October. 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

    37° / 22°

    13 wet

  2. Feb

    40° / 24°

    11 wet

  3. Mar

    50° / 31°

    13 wet

  4. Apr

    62° / 42°

    14 wet

  5. May

    72° / 51°

    14 wet

  6. Jun

    79° / 59°

    13 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 63°

    13 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 62°

    13 wet

  9. Sep

    75° / 55°

    12 wet

  10. Oct

    64° / 45°

    12 wet

  11. Nov

    51° / 35°

    11 wet

  12. Dec

    41° / 28°

    13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wheeling Ohio Co Ap, WV, 9.2 mi away at 1,179 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Bear Rock Lake Bouldering sits within the Bear Rock Lakes Wildlife Management Area in northern West Virginia, about 9 miles from Wheeling. The land is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources, and the bouldering lies among a cluster of climbing areas in this part of the state. The bouldering here is all on rock, with 15 routes ranging from V1 to V6 on the V scale, and the most common grades cluster around V3. The easiest is Green Room at V1, and the hardest is Number Two at V6. Among the named routes are Christmas Ascent and G-String, with the latter's first ascent by Ray Weber in 1991. The weather station nearest the area sits in Wheeling, about 9 miles away. Typical averages there put July highs around 83°F and lows near 63°F, with May and September running milder at about 72°F and 75°F. The station sits at roughly the same elevation as the boulders, so those figures should be a fair guide. Little Wheeling Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 3 miles away. Roadside Boulder and the Northern Panhandle climbing areas are both within about 8 miles.

Routes (15)