St. John's Ledges Rock Climbing

Named after Timothy St. Johns, who owned the property in the 1800's, Saint Johns' Ledges consists of numerous east-facing slabby ledges located on and near the Appalachian Trail in Kent, Connecticut. This area, like most Connecticut areas, is mostly top-rope and traditional climbing. The land is now owned by the National Park Service. The area has a long climbing history and, as a result, many of the route names and descriptions are muddled. For years, the practice was to note new routes on a list at a now-defunct sporting goods store, Clapp and Treat, in West Hartford.

St. Johns' Ledges has some of the best long slab climbing in CT. The Upper and Lower Ledges are often used by groups of toproping beginners, but the area is large and you shouldn't have much trouble finding other routes if the popular ones are occupied.

The rock is Pink Granitic Gneiss formed 800-1700 mya in the Proterozoic period. The ledges are located in what is now a beautiful hillside forest.

Nearby Kent, CT has a good variety of food and shops. Excellent coffee and chocolate are available at the Kent Coffee Shop.