Medicine Wall
After years of work, TCC has acquired Medicine Wall and has ensured that it will always be protected for climbing. Now we need your support to make this acquisition a long-term success. Your donation will directly contribute to our Med Wall efforts.
Medicine Wall is owned and managed by Texas Climbers Coalition with a conservation and recreation easement held by Access Fund. Commit to the Climber’s Pact and follow leave no trace ethics while recreating at Medicine Wall and using the Salado Creek Greenway trail.
To report issues, email communications@texasclimberscoalition.org.
Medicine Wall Rules
By entering the property, you agree to the following:
Access to Medicine Wall is via the Salado Creek Greenway trail system, only. Follow all Greenway rules and regulations including hours of use.
Park only at approved Salado Creek Greenway trailheads. DO NOT park and approach from adjacent neighborhoods.
Day Use Only. Overnight camping and campfires at Medicine Wall are strictly prohibited.
The use of trees for rappelling or climbing anchors is prohibited.
New route development and route maintenance are allowed with the written consent of Texas Climbers Coalition only. For more information, visit texasclimberscoalition.org/bolt-a-new-route.
Commercial guiding and paid organized outings are permitted at Medicine Wall by contract with Texas Climbers Coalition, only. Please contact director@texasclimberscoalition.org for more information.
The construction of trails and/or infrastructure, and the removal of trees or vegetation is prohibited without the written consent of Texas Climbers Coalition.
Hunting, trapping, target shooting, and/or the discharge of firearms is strictly prohibited.
Excessive noise is prohibited. Keep a low profile and minimize noise to avoid disturbing neighbors and other Greenway users.
Thank you to everyone who has donated thus far! We received several donations for Giving Tuesday (Dec 3, 2019). Your constant support helps us get closer to our goal.
Photo credit: Ferris Kilpatrick
Texas Climbers Coalition (TCC) and Access Fund are pleased to announce the acquisition and permanent protection of Medicine Wall, a limestone bluff in San Antonio, Texas that provides an urban getaway for outdoor climbing.
“While San Antonio has a long history of climbing, it doesn’t have as many options to climb outside as Austin, for example,” says local climber Matt Markell. “Having Medicine Wall reopen will be a huge win for San Antonio climbers.”
Despite never being officially open to public access, the privately owned Medicine Wall was a popular sport climbing crag for over 20 years, until a fatal accident in 2015 prompted the landowners to strip the hardware from the wall and strictly enforce trespassing laws.
However, the landowners (a large development company) recognized the recreational value of the property and had an interest in conserving it. They first approached the City of San Antonio hoping they would acquire the property for inclusion in the greenway trails system. The city declined to take ownership, due in part to liability concerns, but put the landowners in touch with TCC.
The landowners agreed to convey the Medicine Wall parcel to TCC, provided that a separate land trust hold an easement on the property to permanently protect it. TCC reached out to Access Fund, an accredited land trust, who agreed to facilitate the transaction and hold a conservation and recreation easement on Medicine Wall to permanently protect the property for conservation and recreation.
The property is now officially owned by TCC, with a conservation easement held by Access Fund. While Medicine Wall is now climber-owned, it is not yet open for climbing until the wall can be rebolted. See below for access details.
“We’re thrilled to have supported TCC in the acquisition and permanent protection of Medicine Wall,” says Brian Tickle, Access Fund’s Texas Regional Director. “Texas is loaded with small, high-value crags just like Medicine Wall and protecting them serves both conservation and recreation interests.”
“Medicine Wall is a great crag for the San Antonio climbing community, and we’re really excited to serve that community through this acquisition. This is something we’d like to repeat across the state,” says TCC President Adam Mitchell.
Despite being home to a vast quantity of climbing resources, only 5% of land in Texas is public property. The state’s population is projected to double by 2050, and public parks like the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Enchanted Rock, and others will continue to face ever greater demands and impacts from public use—presenting unique challenges for climbers and land managers. Acquisitions like Medicine Wall make much-needed recreation space available to the public.
TCC now needs help to raise $37,000 to manage Medicine Wall and pay for the expenses associated with the property transfer, stewardship improvements, and long-term costs of the conservation and recreation easement.
Access Information
Access to Medicine Wall is via the Salado Creek Greenway trail system, only. Follow all Greenway rules and regulations including hours of use.
