Tennessee Wall
The Tennessee Wall is known as one of the premier cliffs in the Sandstone Belt. It offers routes of all grades, fantastic rock quality, and a beautiful scenic setting. Tennessee Wall sits high up on the rim of the Tennessee River Gorge; the cliff is part of the Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area.
Because the cliff-face faces south, the Tennessee Wall can get extremely hot during most summer months, but offers a great climb during the winter months. The best time to visit is September through June.
Cliff Layout: "The T Wall is essentially a long cliff band running roughly north/south. The main trail intersects the cliff in the vicinity of a waterfall between the routes Death by Boobalooba and Hands across America. Everything to the left of the waterfall is Tennessee Wall South, and everything to the right is Tennessee Wall North. Most visitors and beginners will hike to the cliff along this main trail."
Chris Watford
Dixie Cragger's Atlas
Related Activities: hiking, backpacking, camping
Address:
Overlooking the Tennessee River Gorge, Dayton, TN
Distance from Outdoor Chattanooga HQ: 15 minute drive
Map(s) and directions: From downtown Chattanooga, take Highway 27 North, crossing the Tennessee River. Proceed approximately one mile, then exit onto Highway 127 North (Signal Mountain Road), following signs for Signal Mountain. Continue for roughly one and a half miles, and just before the road climbs the mountain, turn left onto Suck Creek Road (Highway 27 West). Pass the obvious cement plant on the right, and continue for four miles to the bridge spanning Suck Creek. Immediately past the bridge, make a hard left onto River Canyon Road. Drive slowly along this curvy road, passing houses, children, dogs, etc. for about six miles. Look for a small gravel pull-off/parking area on the left beside a large oak tree. If this parking area is full, it is possible to park along the road, but the shoulder is steep. Make sure your vehicle is well off the pavement. The hiking trail begins 25 yards or so before the pull-off.
Activity type: experienced climbers
Dates/Hours: open year round except for restricted hunting dates - check with TWRA for restrictions www.state.tn.us/twra
*TWall Hunt Dates: Visit South Eastern Climbers Coalition for dates.
No. Of Routes
100+ Routes
GRADES
5.5 - 5.13
CLIFF LAYOUT/INSTRUCTIONS
Cliff Layout: "The T Wall is essentially a long cliff band running roughly north/south. The main trail intersects the cliff in the vicinity of a waterfall between the routes Death by Boobalooba and Hands across America. Everything to the left of the waterfall is Tennessee Wall South, and everything to the right is Tennessee Wall North. Most visitors and beginners will hike to the cliff along this main trail."
Chris Watford
Dixie Cragger's Atlas
RECOMMENDED GEAR
T Wall does require a fairly extensive rack of lead protection gear. There are fewer than 20 sport routes at the cliff, all in the higher grades, so a rack is necessary. In general, wired stoppers, TCU's, larger cams up to 4 inches and lots of slings and caribiners should do the trick for most routes.
ROUTES
Tennessee Wall North (50+ Routes)
Tennessee Wall South (50+ Routes)
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Marion County Sheriff's Dept. 423-942-5667
Or Dial 911
CAMPING
yes, there are several campsites in the vicinity, the most popular are in the woods next to the parking lot.
ACCESS ISSUES
T wall is not conductive to safe, or convenient toproping. There are no gullies to access the top of the cliff and no fixed toprope anchors.
