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Poles Hill (Sunset Hill)
Massachusetts
> N Shore
> Cape Ann
Access Issue: While public, some boulders/cliffs abut residential property. Keep a low profile.
Details
Description
This hill served as an ancient native celestial observatory. Roughly 2-3,000 years ago Algonquians arranged certain boulders at the summit to create a ceremonial landscape. With the use of a reference stone, they were able to calculate sunrise and sunset, as well as the dates for solstices and equinoxes. Today it is somewhat overgrown but the stones remain in place. The sunny summit has lots of potential, almost all of it being slabby domes. That said, there is one developed boulder with a handful of problems on it that may be worth seeking out. There is also a long wall built into the hillside but the main issue being that the best climbing abuts private residents. The summit itself isn't too promising, but there are lots of slab climbs on the outskirts.
Getting There
Take a left onto Riverview Rd. in Gloucester. Shortly afterwards, take another left up the dirt road to the parking area.
Alternatively, take Ferry Street to Sunset Hill Road and park at the two car pullout on the right side with the conservation sign just as the road bends left onto Perriwinkle Lane.
West Ossipee, NH