Grafton Notch St. Park - Ice&Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 1,493 ft | 455 m |
GPS: |
44.58979, -70.94674 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 29,909 total · 159/month | |
Shared By: | Unassigned User on Jun 29, 2009 | |
Admins: | Ladd Raine, Jonathan S, Robert Hall |
Access Issue: Peregrine Falcons in Maine
Details
Maine Peregrine Falcons breeding season extends from mid-March through July or August. Hiking or climbing near nesting peregrines can cause abandonment and death of eggs/young. If adults are away from the nest, eggs or young can become overheated, chilled, or chicks can miss feedings. Be on the lookout for agitated falcons that may vocalize, take avoidance flights, or dive-bomb those that are too close. If you encounter an aggressive peregrine falcon please immediately leave the area, and report incidents to Erynn Call, State Raptor Specialist, MDIFW, erynn.call@maine.gov.
To learn more about peregrines in Maine, check out this link: maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife…
To learn more about peregrines in Maine, check out this link: maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife…
Description
This park has 700+ foot composite granite rock cliff separated by narrow tree ledges on its west side, called the Eyebrow. This cliff is closed to climbing. On the east side of the Notch are slabs and a steeper cliff called Table Rock, because of the look out point on the A.T. I went to the top of the slabs south of Table Rock, and bushwhacked uphill north to meet up with the Appalachian Trail. I haven't been to this area since 1982. I remember there being no natural trad. pro. sections to these east side slabs. These slabs other than Table Rock are similar to Webster Mt.-Crawford Notch N.H. slabs or with few to no arches. To protect these slabs would require a dozen bolts or so, at least. Much of the rock is coarse. It has white and brown rock diagonal bands (possibly Basalt)and some gray,(Whitehorse Mt. N.H. in likeness) smooth slab sections also. Southeast of these slabs deep in the woods is another continuous slab 300+ feat, without tree ledges. I haven't been there. Besides bushwhacking in Maine is serious, if you get lost and become disoriented you can stay lost forever (having a compass could be life saving).
The Notch is beautiful and also offers a variety of winter ice climbing. 80+ feet of hollow thin ice on the west side and thick (WI3,3+) 40+ feet of ice on the east side of the Notch. The thick stuff is practically on the road and has lots of ways up it. The hollow ice section has no pro and is steeper. This section may get thicker depending on yearly conditions. google images has excellent images of the Eyebrow. There are images of the notch on the web.
The Notch is beautiful and also offers a variety of winter ice climbing. 80+ feet of hollow thin ice on the west side and thick (WI3,3+) 40+ feet of ice on the east side of the Notch. The thick stuff is practically on the road and has lots of ways up it. The hollow ice section has no pro and is steeper. This section may get thicker depending on yearly conditions. google images has excellent images of the Eyebrow. There are images of the notch on the web.
Getting There
Google Map Quest or buy a map of Maine. It is Northeast of Bethel, Maine on 26. Bethel Maine is 26 miles East of Gorham N.H. via Route2. The Notch proper is about 12 miles north of Route 2 on Rt 26 headed towards Errol, NH.
GPS Position for this AREA is set for the AT Parking Lot.
There's much to do and see for the non-climber / non-hiker also; for example: Screw Auger Falls and the "Moose Cave".
The walk to the Eyebrow cliffs wasn't long, less than 1 mile from road's parking lot I believe.
GPS Position for this AREA is set for the AT Parking Lot.
There's much to do and see for the non-climber / non-hiker also; for example: Screw Auger Falls and the "Moose Cave".
The walk to the Eyebrow cliffs wasn't long, less than 1 mile from road's parking lot I believe.
Classic Climbing Routes at Grafton Notch St. Park - Ice&Rock
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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