CT Bouldering Climbing

While CT is not especially known for it's rock climbing (other then the fact that modern climbing basically started in this state), it's a known fact among locals that the state is littered with boulders, pretty much from corner to corner (maybe except the NE). From the Traprock basalt bouldering in the central part of the state, to the gorgeous fine grey gneiss boulders and caves in the Southeast, to the Western lands loaded with larger grained gniess, schist, and even some marble boulders, to the granite strewn coastline there's climbing on almost every type of rock imaginable (no limestone that I know of yet). If you can't find a bouldering area in your town or the one next to you, you probably just haven't looked hard enough!

A little tip to those who are in the business of hunting these great gifts... 12,000 years ago the glaciers flowed from the NW to the SE diagonally across CT. As a result of this event, and a good general rule, most all bouldering (except traprock) are located on steep South Eastern facing slopes above swamps or ponds. The other tip is that many of the boulders I've found have been along old fault lines... geeze how the hell does one figure that out you might ask?? Here ya go... this is the CT Geology Map for Google Earth! Neat stuff huh? Lastly, there's the online maps, and honestly Google Sucks for this, so next time you're looking to surf around and see if you can find some boulders flip over to Bing Maps and use the Bird's Eye feature. This will allow you to rotate the camera to look at hills from various angle, most notable is the SE aspect!

One last tidbit, since this IS Connecticut, it's likely the amazing new boulder you are scoping is likely on private property or somewhere where climbing is prohibited (think water company property). Maybe, maybe not? Do you really know for sure? If you've got a question about an area reach out to the Access Fund and ask for help! They can help with research and provide guidance on how best to handle any situations that you may come across.

So without further adieu, here's a choice selection of tasty legal bouldering in our fine little state!