Beach Pond Climbing

Head west on RI 165/Ten Rod Rd to Beach Pond, at the CT boarder. 

For the Hemlock ledges, Deadwood and other southern areas near the pond it is usually best to park back east up the hill a little from the pond at the new dirt hikers lot on the north side of the road. It will accommodate 10 cars and 1 handicap vehicle. It is best to leave the small dirt lot across from the main paved beach lot for fishermen during season.

 From the hiker's lot, walk up the asphalt lined drainage ditch to its end (east-away from the pond) and carefully cross rt.165 to enter a gated old dirt road that accesses what we have been referring to as the "upper trail" (Be really careful crossing rt. 165. it is a main thoroughfare and you are on a cresting hill) Be sure to stay to the left at forks initially or you will prematurely get drawn down to the pond.  In a few minutes you will pass by The New Beach, an obvious inviting bouldering ledge just off trail to the left. In another few minutes the trail crosses a seasonal stream (can be tricky during high water) and in another few more you will start to see Hemlock Ledge in front of you and the trail eventually meets up with the yellow blazed Tippecansett tr close to the main roped climbing. Deadwood  (bouldering and TR possibilities) is the left side of Hemlock Ledge from there.

The Beached Whale, Pirate Ship Wall and Normandy bouldering ledges are close by to the right of the trail  as you start to approach Hemlock, though they are invisible from the upper trail as they face the pond. You can either look for little social spurs that lead down to them or wait until you get to the main junction  and hook back sharply right (like you are taking the main pond side trail back to the road) You will see them up the hill above the trail.

Note there is no parking on the south side of the road at the fire gate, where the upper trail is accessed. It has been posted with no parking signs and people have been ticketed and towed, so be warned.

For some of the new areas further south from the pond, the signed Roscoe M. Dexter entrance a little further east on 165 will get you closer via the white blazed Deep Pond Tr. Hike down the dirt road and in about 10 minutes take the white blazed trail off to the left that heads south.  See further clarification in the individual areas.

Park at the northern boat launch for the North Shore (See directions under that section).