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Elevation: | 902 ft | 275 m |
GPS: |
41.5569, -72.83439 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 89,264 total · 390/month | |
Shared By: | John Peterson on Feb 26, 2006 | |
Admins: | Morgan Patterson |
Access Issue: Permits Required to Climb on City of Meriden, CT properties.
Details
After many years, the City of Meriden has come to recognize climbing as a legitimate
recreational activity on town land only for those individuals who maintain active membership
with the Ragged Mountain Foundation.
As of late 2019, active members of the RMF can obtain permits sanctioned by Meriden’s
Department of Parks and Recreation that allow for the responsible use of the town’s many cliff
sides, trails, and boulders in pursuit of rock climbing.
Permits can be obtained (by active dues paying RMF members only) from the Meriden Parks
and Recreation building located at 460 Liberty Street between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm
for a $5 fee. The Parks Department maintains a list of all active RMF members. You can
purchase or renew your RMF membership here. You can also become a member via the “Joint-
Membership Program” with the Access Fund. Please be aware that it may take up to 30 days
between the time of purchasing a membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation and
appearing on the city’s list of individual climbers authorized to receive permits. Also,
please be aware that permits are issued on an individual basis, and are not interchangeable
between multiple members in a single party.
The permits from the City are good for one calendar year from the date of payment, so you will
need to renew again the following year. Please keep a copy of your RMF membership and a copy
of your permit from the City (electronic image okay) on hand. As part of the agreement, park
rangers and City officials have been informed to ask for identification if they observe
climbers/climbing. Climbers without proper credentials are subject to fines.
This is a massive step forward in the relationship between climbers and the City of Meriden. For
more information on the agreement, please look at the RMF Blog.
As always, be safe and be respectful.
recreational activity on town land only for those individuals who maintain active membership
with the Ragged Mountain Foundation.
As of late 2019, active members of the RMF can obtain permits sanctioned by Meriden’s
Department of Parks and Recreation that allow for the responsible use of the town’s many cliff
sides, trails, and boulders in pursuit of rock climbing.
Permits can be obtained (by active dues paying RMF members only) from the Meriden Parks
and Recreation building located at 460 Liberty Street between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm
for a $5 fee. The Parks Department maintains a list of all active RMF members. You can
purchase or renew your RMF membership here. You can also become a member via the “Joint-
Membership Program” with the Access Fund. Please be aware that it may take up to 30 days
between the time of purchasing a membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation and
appearing on the city’s list of individual climbers authorized to receive permits. Also,
please be aware that permits are issued on an individual basis, and are not interchangeable
between multiple members in a single party.
The permits from the City are good for one calendar year from the date of payment, so you will
need to renew again the following year. Please keep a copy of your RMF membership and a copy
of your permit from the City (electronic image okay) on hand. As part of the agreement, park
rangers and City officials have been informed to ask for identification if they observe
climbers/climbing. Climbers without proper credentials are subject to fines.
This is a massive step forward in the relationship between climbers and the City of Meriden. For
more information on the agreement, please look at the RMF Blog.
As always, be safe and be respectful.
Description
This area lies above the town of Meriden. A small "Castle" (Castle Crag) sits at the summit of the peak and affords an excellent view of central CT. The road to the top is closed evenings and during the winter - check the sign at the gate and make sure you don't get locked in. When the road is closed a bit of hiking is needed to get to the crags.Most of the best crags overlook Merimere Reservoir, part of the Meriden water supply.
UPDATED ACCESS NEWS: Congratulations RMF!!!
The city of Meriden recognizes climbing as a legitimate recreational activity on town land only for those individuals who maintain active membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation.
Now active members of The RMF can obtain permits sanctioned by Meriden’s Department of Parks and Recreation that allow for the responsible use of the town’s many cliff sides, trails, and boulders in pursuit of rock climbing. (Make no mistake, this is a huge deal for CT climbing!)
Permits can be obtained (by active dues paying RMF members only) from the Meriden Parks and Recreation building located at 460 Liberty Street between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm for a $5 fee. Please be aware that it may take up to 30 days between the time of purchasing a membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation and appearing on the city’s list of individual climbers authorized to receive permits. Please be aware that permits are issued on an individual basis, and are not interchangeable between multiple members in a single party. Each permit issued is valid for one year from the time of registration and will require renewal annually at the parks and recreation offices to remain as such.
From Left to Right the crags are as follows:
1. Castle Crag
2. Rite of Spring
3. Dihedral Section
4. Amphitheater
5. Fall Wall
6. Merimere Face
UPDATED ACCESS NEWS: Congratulations RMF!!!
The city of Meriden recognizes climbing as a legitimate recreational activity on town land only for those individuals who maintain active membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation.
Now active members of The RMF can obtain permits sanctioned by Meriden’s Department of Parks and Recreation that allow for the responsible use of the town’s many cliff sides, trails, and boulders in pursuit of rock climbing. (Make no mistake, this is a huge deal for CT climbing!)
Permits can be obtained (by active dues paying RMF members only) from the Meriden Parks and Recreation building located at 460 Liberty Street between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm for a $5 fee. Please be aware that it may take up to 30 days between the time of purchasing a membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation and appearing on the city’s list of individual climbers authorized to receive permits. Please be aware that permits are issued on an individual basis, and are not interchangeable between multiple members in a single party. Each permit issued is valid for one year from the time of registration and will require renewal annually at the parks and recreation offices to remain as such.
From Left to Right the crags are as follows:
1. Castle Crag
2. Rite of Spring
3. Dihedral Section
4. Amphitheater
5. Fall Wall
6. Merimere Face
Getting There
Take Exit 4 off I-691 and head southeast on Rt. 322 towards Meriden. Go about .7 mile and turn sharp left into Hubbard Park. Follow Mirror Lake Dr. around lake and past the swimming pool until it ends at Hubbard Park Dr. Turn left. Just beneath the highway overpass is a gate that closes the road to the castle at night (currently 4:45 pm) and in winter (November through April).
If gate to castle is open, note posted closing time and drive up road 3 miles (taking left fork) and park in lot by castle. Follow the blue-blazed trail east from the parking lot for 5-10 minutes. The top of the cliffs are on your right.
If the gate to castle is closed, park and walk past the gate up the road. Just as you reach the reservoir, turn left onto a gated dirt road. Follow the dirt road a couple hundred yards until it curves sharply left. Take a faint trail on the right. The trail crosses a small stream and heads up left through the woods several hundred feet to an open scree slope. Follow the trail diagonally left up through the scree to a steep, faint trail that leads to base of the cliffs near route "Shades of Grey" and "Grey Corner" (Amphitheater Area). A sketchy, loose goat trail skirts the bottom of the cliffs. Go left for Rite of Spring and Dihedral Section; go right for Fall Wall and Merimere Face.
If gate to castle is open, note posted closing time and drive up road 3 miles (taking left fork) and park in lot by castle. Follow the blue-blazed trail east from the parking lot for 5-10 minutes. The top of the cliffs are on your right.
If the gate to castle is closed, park and walk past the gate up the road. Just as you reach the reservoir, turn left onto a gated dirt road. Follow the dirt road a couple hundred yards until it curves sharply left. Take a faint trail on the right. The trail crosses a small stream and heads up left through the woods several hundred feet to an open scree slope. Follow the trail diagonally left up through the scree to a steep, faint trail that leads to base of the cliffs near route "Shades of Grey" and "Grey Corner" (Amphitheater Area). A sketchy, loose goat trail skirts the bottom of the cliffs. Go left for Rite of Spring and Dihedral Section; go right for Fall Wall and Merimere Face.
Classic Climbing Routes at East Peak
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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