Payne Lake Climbing

The cliffs are tricky to get to on foot. By far the easiest way to approach is by canoe, putting in at the boat launch at the south-east end of Payne Lake. Once you cross the lake, if top-roping you may have to scramble for a ways to get on top a cliff.

Easy access on foot: Instead of approaching on foot via New Connecticut Rd, there is an easier route. From Route 22, just south of the boat launch you'll find a small pull out at the start of a public easement (Look for the small yellow signs). This is the Root Row Trail. This well marked trail heads straight back through the fields and then turns NE and slowly winds uphill and past a small pond. Once the trail hits Pulpit Rock State Forest land, it becomes less obvious. Fairly easy hiking along the ridge and down the other side of the knoll leads to the climbs. A GPS or smartphone with Google Maps makes navigating straightforward. Approach time is about 30 minutes. Please note: The Root Row Trail is surrounded by private land. Please respect private land owners and stay within the marked trail until you reach state forest land.

Update: 4/4/20: There has been a small amount of trail work done, mostly cutting dead trees and branches, as well as cutting sharp thorns in the grassy areas. This makes the approach trail from the "Root Row" a bit more accessible. More work needs to be done, and canoeing is still probably way more efficient, but with some more work and trail marking it could be a decently efficient approach trail as it is only .9 miles to the gully from the trailhead. Watch for ticks, they are abundant.

The established climbs (documented here) are actually southwest of the lake. From the boat launch (18T 448079 4902774), paddle straight across the lake, then to the left (i.e., the southwest corner) to the shallows. Beach your boat at the first opportunity in the lillypads (18T 447788 4902783). Walk along an inlet stream with some orange flagging 3 minutes up to the cliff (18T 447641 4902795).