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: 549 ft 167 m
GPS: 41.14544, -74.16432
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 12,021 total · 97/month
Shared By: Jon Crefeld on Oct 9, 2014 · Updates
Admins: Morgan Patterson, SMarsh
Warning Access Issue: As of November 2021, there are new parking arrangements. Please follow this guidance. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

These top-notch short intermediate climbs make for a splendid afternoon's worth of steep and technical climbing. Natural protection options are very limited, but a long static line will allow you to top-rope these brainy and rewarding climbs.

Remember those luggage holds you think only exist in the gym? Well, you can find them here!

Getting There Suggest change

Puzzle Palace crag is at (GPS latitude longitude approx N41.1455 W74.1645)

From parking on Torne Valley Rd, go first to the Tower Wall (GPS lat long ~ N41.1450 W74.1652), then walk ENE roughly flat 360 feet (110 meters). Then at (N41.1454 W74.1641) just before the trail curves right down steep, turn off Left onto a steep loose trail. Scramble up this 130 feet (40 meters) NorthWest then West to the base of Puzzle Palace (N41.14545 W74.16445).

Or perhaps easier (if the less-used dirt roads are not too overgrown with vegetation) is to reach Puzzle Palace without first going to Tower Wall:

From the main Powerlinez trailhead on Torne Brook Rd (GPS latitude longitude approx N41.14227 W74.16227), walk the main gentle dirt road 0.25 mile / 400 meters (past the turnoff for Tower Wall and Basilisk) farther North toward the electric power substation to a junction at (N41.1462 W74.1619). At this junction turn sharp Left and walk SouthWest gentle up another dirt road about 550 ft / 170 meters. Turn Right (NorthWest) and hike steep up another dirt road about 125 ft / 40 meters. Just after this road curves left (west), turn off Right onto a steep loose trail. Scramble up this 130 feet (40 meters) NorthWest then West to the base of Puzzle Palace (N41.14545 W74.16445).

Estimating: About +210 vertical feet of uphill over about 0.5 mile distance (+63m vert over 0.8km). Typical approach times 12-25 minutes.

15 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: 7. Puzzle Palace Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Puzzle Palace

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 19
Diagon Alley
Trad, TR
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 4
Gothic Arch
TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 11
The Handle
TR
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 6
Buckbeek
TR
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 8
Hogwarts
TR
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 5
Fang This!
TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Diagon Alley
 19
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, TR
Gothic Arch
 4
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c TR
The Handle
 11
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a TR
Buckbeek
 6
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a TR
Hogwarts
 8
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a TR
Fang This!
 5
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a TR
More Classic Climbs in Puzzle Palace »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

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

Photos

loading