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Painted Walls

New Hampshire > WM: Kancamagus (Eastern)
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closure has been removed as of 7/2/21. 3 chicks fledged ! DetailsDrop down

Description

Site of the New England's ice climbing classic Way in the Wilderness. The cliff is visible from Kancamagus Highway and has characteristic vertical black streaks on it. The only rock route of note is the adventurous Windjammer.

Getting There

From North Conway, take NH 112 Kancagamus Highway for about 7 miles. You will see Painted Walls and the adjacent Rainbow Slabs (to the left of Painted Walls) on the right. Leave a car at the parking lot, drop down and cross the river. Turn left and follow a ski trail for about half a mile before turning right towards the cliff. There's no trail from this point -- bushwhack uphill until you reach the cliff. In the winter snow shoes are useful.

2018 Update- Follow directions to Rainbow Slabs. On the approach path (a few min. after leaving the main logging road) the path will make a sharp, nearly 270-degree turn to the left and drop down a few feet to cross a (usually) dry watercourse. (Just beyond this point the climber's path joins a skidder road and opens up.)  DO NOT DROP DOWN AND CROSS, but rather go straight where the path turns left and  Bushwhack up towards Painted Walls.  Take any skidder paths that lead in the correct direction, but avoid going to far right.  
This route generally has fewer blowdowns and is less "rugged" than continuing on the Rainbow path to the "2nd" stream crossing just before the path climbs steeply to the base of Rainbow and following THAT steam towards Painted Walls. [That stream goes to a waterfall on Rainbow, but by "hanging a right" you could get to Painted.]    R Hall Admin.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 1
The Artful Dodger
Trad 2 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 2
Straights of Magellan
Trad 3 pitches
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 2
Windjammer
Trad 3 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Artful Dodger
 1
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 2 pitches
Straights of Magellan
 2
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 3 pitches
Windjammer
 2
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 3 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Painted Walls from Rainbow Slab, early fall
[Hide Photo] Painted Walls from Rainbow Slab, early fall
Zoomed photo of Painted Walls and "Way in the Wilderness" as seen from Kancagamus Highway.
[Hide Photo] Zoomed photo of Painted Walls and "Way in the Wilderness" as seen from Kancagamus Highway.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

john strand
southern colo
[Hide Comment] This area sometimes has a Peregrine closure, please check with fish and game. Jun 24, 2008