West Virginia · Rock climbing · Seneca Rocks

Cockscomb East Face

Cockscomb East Face is a 7-route trad climbing area in West Virginia.

7 routes
5.3 – 5.10
Trad

Is Cockscomb East Face open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Monongahela National Forest. It doesn't name Cockscomb East Face, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Best time to visit Cockscomb East Face

Best months: April–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° / 22°

    8 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 23°

    7 wet

  3. Mar

    55° / 30°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    67° / 38°

    11 wet

  5. May

    74° / 48°

    12 wet

  6. Jun

    81° / 55°

    10 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 59°

    10 wet

  8. Aug

    83° / 58°

    10 wet

  9. Sep

    77° / 51°

    8 wet

  10. Oct

    68° / 41°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    56° / 32°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 25°

    9 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Franklin 2 Ne, WV, 11.4 mi away at 1,900 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Cockscomb East Face is a climbing area in the Potomac Ranger District of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with The Cave and Upper Broadway both about 0.1 mile away. The area has seven traditional routes, ranging from 5.3 to 5.10 on the YDS scale. Jane's Route is the easiest at 5.3, and Incredible Overhanging Wall is the hardest at 5.10. Celosia, a 5.8- route, was first climbed by Chris Rowins, Chris Kulczycki and Steve Schneider in 1979. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 74°F and September highs around 77°F, with July peaking near 84°F. The Pipeline Trail and Seneca Rocks Trail are both within half a mile. Seneca Shadows campground is about 1.4 miles away, and Seneca Creek offers canoeing about 4 miles off.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive