Grandmother Mountain Boulders (Linville): First discovered for their bouldering potential in the mid-1990s, the Grandmother Mountain area near Boone, NC now hosts more than 400 problems and some of the best stone in the entire Southeast, all in a stunningly beautiful and cool sub-alpine forest. The area has a reputation for being a locals-only area, but that’s changing thanks to the grassroots efforts of climbers themselves. They have carved out a world-class climbing area from the thick vegetation and mossy boulders, uncovering some of the High Country’s most high-quality stone. With more than 20 separate bouldering areas located around the mountain, there is no shortage of climbs for boulderers to tackle.
Directions from Boone: Take Highway 105 S towards Banner Elk/Linville. Once you get into Tynecastle (there is a McDonalds on your left), go straight through the light. You will enter the town of Linville after a couple miles. Once in Linville, make a left onto Highway 221 N. Stay on this road until you see an exit to get onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the stop sign, take a right onto the parkway. Continue down the road until you see either the Grandfather Mountain Overlook Parking (hike south for 1/4 mile to trail on left) or continue a to the Grandmother Parking Area (Mile 307.4) and head out of the northern end of the parking area to the Long Wall.
