Explore this area in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 248 ft 76 m
GPS: 42.23166, -71.0389
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 107,241 total · 466/month
Shared By: Leo Paik on Jan 13, 2007
Admins: Old Timer, jim.dangle, Joe M
Page Updates (admin only)
Warning Access Issue: Closure information? DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This is a nice little area with scattered rock outcrops on the Blue Hills Reservation in Braintree not too far from Quincy Quarries. This was? under Metropolitan District Commission control and now is probably under Department of Conservation and Recreation. Its name comes from actual fauna. Climbing in this area dates back to at least the 1930s. Oddly, Ship’s Prow here can be a warm place during a cold, sunny stretch. Some of the rocks are quite small. There may be hidden crags/boulders here for exploring types.

Crags here include Burger Boulder, The Shield, Ship’s Prow, The Playground, & The Overlook.

Apparently, in the easter part of the Blue Hills Reservation area a few more hidden crags: St. Moritz Pond, Clubouse, Chicatawbut Overlook, & Lemon Squeeze.

Getting There Suggest change

To get here, drive I-3/SE Expressway to exit 8, go to Wampatuck Rd, towards Chickatawbut Rd. Park on the N side of the road past Bunker Hill Quarry. Walk back E and find a dirt road on top of an embankment covering a pipeline. Faint trails break off to the right.

73 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Rattlesnake Rocks Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Rattlesnake Rocks

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1-2 5
 5
● Nailed It
Boulder
St Moritz Park Rock
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 7
● Sunday Afternoon Slab
Trad
Overlook
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 12
● Jams of Joy
Trad, TR
Ship's Prow
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 26
● White Face
Trad, TR
Ship's Prow
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 32
● The Ship's Prow
Trad, TR
Ship's Prow
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 7
● Let There Be Jugs
TR
Playground
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 5
● One Step Beyond
Trad, TR
Overlook
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 11
● Mossy Corner
Trad, TR
Playground
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 5
● The Scoop
TR
Playground
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
● Black Wall GT Ledge (Variation)
TR
Ship's Prow
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
 6
● Right Face
Trad, TR
Ship's Prow
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 9
● Six Pack
TR
Playground
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 7
● Upper Black Wall
TR
Ship's Prow
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 9
● Reign of Terror
TR
Ship's Prow
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Nailed It St Moritz Park Rock
 5
V1-2 5 Boulder
● Sunday Afternoon Slab Overlook
 7
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
● Jams of Joy Ship's Prow
 12
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad, TR
● White Face Ship's Prow
 26
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, TR
● The Ship's Prow Ship's Prow
 32
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
● Let There Be Jugs Playground
 7
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b TR
● One Step Beyond Overlook
 5
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
● Mossy Corner Playground
 11
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
● The Scoop Playground
 5
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c TR
● Black Wall GT Ledge (Variat… Ship's Prow
 4
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c TR
● Right Face Ship's Prow
 6
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 Trad, TR
● Six Pack Playground
 9
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a TR
● Upper Black Wall Ship's Prow
 7
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a TR
● Reign of Terror Ship's Prow
 9
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a TR
More Classic Climbs in Rattlesnake Rocks »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
 Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Add New Photo Drop down
Photos

A juvenile northern copperhead at the base of the Playground area. An isolated population of timber rattlesnakes also inhabit this area. Both species are endangered in Massachusetts - tread carefully, and protect this unique habitat!
A juvenile northern copperhead at the base of t…
 5

11 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading