Climbing Near Bristol, Connecticut

Sessions Woods is a State wildlife management area in Burlington, known mostly for its wide gravel walking trails with a scenic pond overlook and a nature center that hosts a ton of outdoor programs. Whereas the most well-known walking loop traverses mostly flat terrain, there's a lesser known outer loop composed of some of the town's lighter-traveled hiking paths, part of the blue-blazed Tunxis Trail system. These paths are much steeper, narrower, and wind around near cliff bands and boulder fields on the outskirts of the park - also hosting some of the relatively least junky (though still chossy) rock in the area.To my knowledge, climbing here is no different than in other state parks: probably legal, but that also hasn't been verified with park leadership. I can't say I know much about geology, but the rock here is seemingly distinct from the flaky schist-mica bedrock boulders that are more easily found in the surrounding area, and they make for a little bit better climbing. Most of the best spots lie along the same ridgeline as the Mile of Ledges area a couple miles down the road, though Sessions definitely hosts a wider variety of boulders. From CT-69, turn onto East Chippens Hill road (the first half is dirt but eventually it turns paved) and look for the second trail crossing on the left (the one without the pond on the right); there's a small dirt pull-off there big enough for probably two cars. Follow the trail on the side of the pull-off and take a right at the intersection that comes up pretty immediately. Follow that path about a half mile, at which point you'll start to see the cliffs on your right. Keep going about another quarter mile to see the best bouldering area; you'll know you're there when you can hear the waterfall off to your left and you descend down the rocky outcropping with a wild overhanging boulder ahead of you. At this point, the boulders are the best just a little ways further down the trail.

These two cliffs located in Burlington, CT make a nice day trip for some fun climbing characterized by well featured rock with a lot of climbing for such a compact area. The rock is comprised of Hornblende Gniess, a member of the Collinsville Formation, consisting of dark, fine to medium grained amphibolite and hornblende gneiss. Raven's roost, has steep and pumpy, rock. Most routes here are harder than 5.8 or 5.9.There are independent lines every 4 or 5 feet if you want with big horizontals, great crimpers and juggy holds similar to climbing at the gunks. The rock is peppered with weird pockets, that make it unique and very interesting climbing. Most could be trad led, but watch out for rock quality . Its mostly solid, with a few crumbly spots. All in a nice ,quiet wooded setting with no road noise. The crags here have giant nests full of raven fledglings in the springtime, so use common sense and impose a self regulated bird closure, or be prepared to feel there wrath in purgatory! To access both these areas you park at the Tunxis Trailhead off Greer Rd in Burlington, CT. Park at the land preserve gravel pull off by the pond. The trail starts on pond side of road. Follow the trail along the pond continuing to hike for approx. a half hour to the first crag, Petro Cliffs. Follow blue blazed trail right over the top of it. The other crag, Ravens Roost is another ten minuets or so. Cross the stream at the remnants of the old dam following the blue trail a couple hundred yards further. Ravens roost can be seen in the woods off to the right if you look carefully.

Shady, in the woods, fairly clean solid rock. About 50 ft high. Several obvious easyer leads. Other harder face routes and some very desperate looking overhanging walls. At least two whorthwile areas here. The rock is simillar to that at Chatfield Hollow, although much more textured. Trailhead is the tunxis trail off of greer road in burlington ct. Park at the land preserve gravel pull off by the pond. . Trail starts on pond side of road. follow trail next to pond. The hike in is about half hour to the first crag. Follow blue blazed trail right over the top of it. I'll call this the chimney cliff,as it has obvious chimney system in the center. The other crag is another ten minuits or so. Cross the stream at the remnants of the old dam follow blue trail a couple hundred yards further. Ravens roost can be seen in the woods off to the right if you look carefully.