To protect the historic canal cut, climbing on the formations pictured here is prohibited, as they are considered too close to the canal cut itself and the Park Service wants to keep the rock as clean and unaltered as possible. A legal unnamed route to the left does connect to a traverse across and up these rocks, though, and if you're not using chalk and setting up gear, it probably won't be a big deal if you climb here that way. The climb is fun and has some of the nicest views and longest ascents that the area offers. Not that I'm saying I climbed it...

Great Falls, VA-- October 2007