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CT Bouldering

Connecticut

Description

While CT is not especially known for it's rock climbing (other then the fact that modern climbing basically started in this state), it's a known fact among locals that the state is littered with boulders, pretty much from corner to corner (maybe except the NE). From the Traprock basalt bouldering in the central part of the state, to the gorgeous fine grey gneiss boulders and caves in the Southeast, to the Western lands loaded with larger grained gniess, schist, and even some marble boulders, to the granite strewn coastline there's climbing on almost every type of rock imaginable (no limestone that I know of yet). If you can't find a bouldering area in your town or the one next to you, you probably just haven't looked hard enough!

A little tip to those who are in the business of hunting these great gifts... 12,000 years ago the glaciers flowed from the NW to the SE diagonally across CT. As a result of this event, and a good general rule, most all bouldering (except traprock) are located on steep South Eastern facing slopes above swamps or ponds. The other tip is that many of the boulders I've found have been along old fault lines... geeze how the hell does one figure that out you might ask?? Here ya go... this is the CT Geology Map for Google Earth! Neat stuff huh? Lastly, there's the online maps, and honestly Google Sucks for this, so next time you're looking to surf around and see if you can find some boulders flip over to Bing Maps and use the Bird's Eye feature. This will allow you to rotate the camera to look at hills from various angle, most notable is the SE aspect!

One last tidbit, since this IS Connecticut, it's likely the amazing new boulder you are scoping is likely on private property or somewhere where climbing is prohibited (think water company property). Maybe, maybe not? Do you really know for sure? If you've got a question about an area reach out to the Access Fund and ask for help! They can help with research and provide guidance on how best to handle any situations that you may come across.

So without further adieu, here's a choice selection of tasty legal bouldering in our fine little state!

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

CT bouldering
[Hide Photo] CT bouldering
ct bouldering
[Hide Photo] ct bouldering
Cptn. Sandbag
[Hide Photo] Cptn. Sandbag
Overhanging<br>
Awful widths
[Hide Photo] Overhanging Awful widths
Floating Rock
[Hide Photo] Floating Rock

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Christian Prellwitz
Telluride, CO
[Hide Comment] Has anybody ever checked out the boulders in this area this Barkhamsted? Randomly came across this on another website. If the rock is good quality, it seems worth checking out. Anyhow, just wanted to share.

barkhamsted.us/sites/barkha… May 9, 2018
Bryce Adamson
Connecticut
[Hide Comment] Hi Christian, that area is very solid, but sharp schist. It's worth checking out. Jun 5, 2018
Nathan Hackmeister
Colebrook, CT
[Hide Comment] The USGS geology map in the link above doesn’t present well on iPhone- this link should work better, ithas a geospatial mapping tool that overlays with open street maps and doesn’t require inputting data into google earth:

mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/sta… Jul 16, 2018
Will Kerr
Groton, CT
[Hide Comment] I'm developing a new area in Mystic and already have a few routes pretty well cleaned. Anybody around/ want to join in the fun? Oct 22, 2018
[Hide Comment] @echoinfi - according to his IG, its just at Field Crest park. nothing special, and certainly nothing you probably havent seen. Oct 24, 2018
[Hide Comment] I started developing an area in Pound Ridge NY called Zofnass Preserve. Yes I know it's not in Connecticut but it's literally a stones throw over the border from Stamford. I posted all the beta in the NY mountain project section and wanted to spread the word for CT climbers. Would love to hear some feedback on the area. It's a pretty neat spot with some surprisingly good problems, definitely a good local spot. Hit me up if anyone wants a tour! Jun 16, 2020