Sunset Rock

Probably the "Crown Jewel" of southern sandstone climbing, Sunset Park has a long and glorious history too expansive to relate here. Suffice it to say that it is really the cradle of the Chattanooga climbing scene and is where most of the leading route activists cut their teeth and first pushed the standards of difficulty. One visit to this area and you'll know why: exquisite rock, friendly approach and lots of routes in all levels of difficulty. Unlike T Wall, Sunset Park is a north-facing cliff. It is cold and windy in the winter, but cool and shady in the summer. Some info:

• There are virtually no sport routes at Sunset Park, due to a complete ban on the use of fixed anchors. Bring your rack if you want to lead and lots of long slings and 'biners for top roping. Sunset Park is an excellent area for top roping and beginners will find lots of challenging routes. Since the top rope anchors are primarily trees along the top of the cliff, a strict and highly enforced protocol must be followed. First, pad all trees beneath your slings with a towel, fleece jacket or anything else you have handy. Do not run slings across the trail for hikers and other climbers to trip over. Make sure to NEVER trust one sling system-ALWAYS double up!
• Parking at the trail head is extremely limited. Most of the spaces are reserved for one hour parking for local residents, tourists and hikers. Additional parking can be found at the ranger headquarters at Point Park. If you take your chances, you will be ticketed. Though Sunset Park is a National Park, it is located in a highly sensitive, quiet community. Please be courteous and keep noise to a minimum. Keep dogs on a leash.
• Please heed any and all posted information at the trailhead kiosk and do your best not to disrupt the ongoing re-vegetation and trail reconstruction efforts along the upper and lower trails.

Recommended routes: Blonde Ambition 5.7, Walk In The Park 5.8, Stan's Crack 5.8, RJ Gold 5.9, Windwalker 5.9, Jefferson Airplane 5.10, Silent Runner 5.10, Train Time 5.10, Flagstone 5.11, The Prow 5.11c, Jennifer's World 5.12a