All Locations > Connecticut > Western Highlands > Mattatuck State Forest

Route 6 Cave Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Route 6 Cave

L › R R › L A › Z

	Mark + V S 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
	Rusty Artifacts T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Shoulder Project S 5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
	Why Bother Crack T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c

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Elevation:	628 ft	191 m
GPS:	41.64434, -73.09075 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	407 total · 11/month
Shared By:	Shawn S on Nov 4, 2021
Admins:	Morgan Patterson Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Just off the Mattatuck Trail Between Route 6 and Leatherman's cave sits this steep but chossy east facing cave that pokes just out of the canopy. The rock appears to be loosely packed, sandy schist with quartzite layers/intrusions, not too sure what exact formation it is. When/where the rock holds it often makes for nice jugs, crisp crimps, and sharp chunky cracks. There are a few established routes in and around the Route 6 cave itself with some potential for more. Not sure if this spot had a name yet but it is fairly close to route 6, thus the name.

It is hard to tell how long people have been climbing here but it is obvious from the trail plus there are some interesting cracks & faces further down the cliff line that have likely been climbed. Likely a dozen or so people have rapped into the cave and just gave up because of rock quality, steepness, & poor gear options.

The cave appears to be a townie spot; there is some graffiti & often a fire ring plus litter in the cave. Do not have fires in the cave! Make sure to pack out what you pack in and take some of the litter out with you to make the forest a better place!

Getting There

Approach is similar to sunset boulders. To get to the route 6 cave, Park at the hiker's pull off where the Mattatuck trail bisects route 6 or in Black Rock State Park. Follow the blue Mattatuck Trail east towards Leatherman's cave overlook. After a third of a mile or so when you see small hiking slabs in the trail, transition left to follow the climber's path that skirts the hillside. After several hundred feet of traversing bedrock the trail will dip and the cave will be up and on your right (south) another hundred feet or so.