Lower Ghost Town

The Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) and Access Fund are thrilled to announce the purchase of Lower Ghost Town in Chimney Rock, NC. This acquisition represents the culmination of a 25-year effort by CCC and Access Fund to provide access to one of the highest quality, yet least accessible, crags in North Carolina. The CCC has purchased this property with the assistance of an Access Fund Climbing Conservation Loan and funding from the Great Trails State Grant.

The Ghost Town cliffs of Round Top mountain sit across from Chimney Rock State Park above Chimney Rock Village at the southeastern end of Hickory Nut Gorge. This is the most dramatic end of the gorge, with views of sheer cliffs in all directions, most of which do not allow public access for climbing. Lower Ghost Town will join Rumbling Bald, located just a few miles down the road, as some of the only secure, open climbing areas in the heart of Hickory Nut Gorge.

The purchase of the Lower Ghost Town secures 16.5 acres, critical access point, and approximately 25% of the total climbing at Ghost Town. The remaining 75% of the climbing areas lie on State Park property with a yet to be determined access future. The CCC hopes to extend the Village Boulders Trail 1.5 miles onto the new Ghost Town property, with the intention of having this new trail designated as a segment of the Hickory Nut Gorge Trail.

The CCC land contains approximately 50 established routes with more to go and dozens of unknown boulders. Lower Ghost Town represents the CCC's sixth land holding for the sake of public climbing access.