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Merimere Face

Connecticut > Central Valley > E Peak
Warning Access Issue: Permits Required to Climb on City of Meriden, CT properties. DetailsDrop down

Description

Several 60-80', S and E facing cliffs overlooking the Merimere Reservoir - surprisingly beautiful spot for the area. Solid dark basalt rock, pretty secluded.

By John Peterson:

This area contains a number of different rock faces. As you look across the water from the approach road, Ampitheater is the biggest face, on the left, Fall Wall is a smaller face to the right, and Merimere Face is the rightmost of the larger cliffs, easily identified by the roofs of Thor's Hammer.

There are many smaller routes on the crags near the castle but these are mostly garbage (literally). Of all the routes in the green book in the castle area, the only one I'd reccomend is Glassworks.

Getting There

Take Route 691 about 2 miles past Meriden and exit onto Main St. Go about 3/4 mi east to Hubbard Park. Drive N in the park and park under the overpass. The gate is closed in the early evening, so don't drive in unless you will definitely be out early. If you can get out early it is only a few hundred yard walk east to the top of the cliffs.

From the overpass, walk about 1/2 mi up the road and cut left at the Southern edge of the reservoir. Follow a trail for a few hundred yards. When the trail cuts uphill and hard left, continue straight up a spur path. Hike another 10 minutes up the scree.

Routes from Left to Right

5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 38
Thor's Hammer
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 1
Mission Impossible
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13
 4
Thunder Bolt Crack
Trad 2 pitches
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c
 1
Lightening Strike
TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Thor's Hammer
 38
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, TR
Mission Impossible
 1
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad
Thunder Bolt Crack
 4
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13 Trad 2 pitches
Lightening Strike
 1
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c TR

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

North view from the top of Merimere Face.
[Hide Photo] North view from the top of Merimere Face.
South view from the top of Merimere Face.
[Hide Photo] South view from the top of Merimere Face.
Merimere Face in Fall
[Hide Photo] Merimere Face in Fall
Merimere Face from the access road
[Hide Photo] Merimere Face from the access road
Here's a distance shot of East Peak - Merrimere Face.
[Hide Photo] Here's a distance shot of East Peak - Merrimere Face.
Thor's Hammer is the corner that starts at the highest of the trees at the base and jogs left twice.
[Hide Photo] Thor's Hammer is the corner that starts at the highest of the trees at the base and jogs left twice.