West Virginia · Rock climbing · Seneca Rocks

Southwest Corner

Southwest Corner in West Virginia has 15 climbing routes across 9 grades.

Photo: MonongahelaNF, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

15 routes

5.4 – 5.11d

Trad · Mixed

Is Southwest Corner open right now?

Closure in the area

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

NFS Road 76 Road Closure for Public Health and Safety
Agency closure covering Monongahela National Forest · USFS · Monongahela National Forest
National Forest System Road 86 Closure for Public Health and Safety
Agency alert covering Monongahela National Forest · USFS · Monongahela National Forest

As of Oct 25, 9:20 pm EDT · Source: USFS · Monongahela National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Southwest Corner

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.

Jan
43° / 22°
8 wet
Feb
47° / 23°
7 wet
Mar
55° / 30°
10 wet
Apr
67° / 38°
11 wet
May
74° / 48°
12 wet
Jun
81° / 55°
10 wet
Jul
84° / 59°
10 wet
Aug
83° / 58°
10 wet
Sep
77° / 51°
8 wet
Oct
68° / 41°
7 wet
Nov
56° / 32°
8 wet
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.

Southwest Corner is a climbing area in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, within the Potomac Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land. The area holds 15 climbing routes, most of them traditional, with a single mixed route. The YDS grades range from 5.4 to 5.11d. Among the routes are Mr. No Wrench, the hardest at 5.11d, and Ecstasy Junior, the easiest at 5.4. The Burn - Variation: Traverse Pitch and Upper Burn are both at 5.7. The climbing sits close to several other areas. South Peak West Face (Main Area) and Lower Broadway are each about 0.1 mile away. Pipeline Trail is 0.2 mile off, and Seneca Rocks Trail is 0.3 mile away. For an overnight stay, Seneca Shadows campground is about 1.4 miles from the corner.