Cliffs north of Mass Pike?

Hi, Anyone know what the cliff band visible from the pike near the MA / NY border is? Looking at the map it's got to be somewhere near W Stockbridge?

I don't see any climbing areas on MP, but it looks like there have to be a couple of roofs or steep sections?

thanks!

You are probably describing Monument Mountain in Great Barrington. You can see it in profile about 10 miles south of the Pike (your post says "north" of the Pike but I have never seen any obvious climbable rock that is visible north of the Pike in that area---and I've been looking!!!! and West Stockbridge is mostly to the south of the highway). The rock is quartzite and very blocky. It is owned by the Trustees of Reservations and, unfortunately, very off-limits for climbing. Clandestine climbs have been rumored in the past, but trying this approach is very much not recommended as it would have a very negative impact on any efforts to have climbing legitimized there and on other Trustees properties, as well as have a ripple effect on negotiations with other land managers in the region. The Great Barrington bouldering area and Reservoir Rock crags are only a couple of miles from there, excellent, and access is permitted so are the appropriate climbing venues in that part of the state.

Thanks Alan, but i don't that's it - that's on the wrong side of the pike.

I was driving to ny, and i thought i was past lenox and west stockbridge. the highway goes through a valley and over some water, and off to the right (north) you can see a good sized "mountain" with some cliff bands that must face southwest. clearly not the cleanest cliffs around, but it looked granitic, and like there might be some steep senctions.

any ideas?

Tom

I've driven by that spot a few times in the last couple of years and looked at the same cliff and wondered. Pretty sure it's between Stockbridge and West Stockbridge. It's a large ridge with a lot of exposed rock.

OK, are you sure you are talking Stockbridge/W. Stockbridge---immediately before the NY border not a good bit further east? There is a 'mountain' directly above the Pike basically above the last Mass toll booth that has a bit of exposed rock but nothing I've seen that looks to be remotely worth climbing. It is from that same general area looking south that you can see the profile of Monument Mountain, but I have no memory of seeing anything north of the road in that area--maybe I've been too busy looking south--or paying attention to the traffic!!!! An exit further east is Lee--and there is some climbing there but none of it visible from the Pike as far as I can see. Just west of the next exit east (about 20 miles east) (Westfield exit)there is considerable exposed rock just north of the highway on Mt. Tekoa. You get a good view of it from the bridge across the Westfield River--which could be the body of water you mention. Unfortunately this area too is currently off-limits. It is managed by the state Department of Fisheries and Wildlife who are not particularly happy with climbers using their land--it is a peregrine nesting area and a timber rattlesnake habitat (not recommended to even hike there in the warm months). There have been on-again, off-again efforts at negotiation--currently on hiatus, so please don't try to climb there as that will only make things worse. The rock is schist and there was some development there before Fish and Wildlife took control and closed it. Too bad. But again, this is very far from the Stockbridge area, so you could be describing still another area. I'll look next time I head out that way--especially if I am a passenger.

When I look at the topo for the area there's a lot of hills and small mountains that fit the description, but like with so many hills in that area they can be fully forested despite having steep sides. There's one such hill that stretches along the west side of Route 22 heading north (Canaan). But I've been by there several times and never noticed any rock through the trees.

Al, Mt. Tekoa is almost certainly what I'm talking about. Quite a bit further east than I recalled. Thanks for clearing that up.

I think I know the spot tks is referring to if it's further east, but I have no idea if there's climbing there. I always look for some sign of it when I pass by. Here's my guess on where it is: https://goo.gl/maps/2CapXoRPjK82

Edit: Yep, Mount Tekoa

As I posted last year, Tekoa does have some routes but is currently off-limits and should be avoided. Trespassing, even if others may have done so in the past, is discouraged as it will only increase antagonism between DFW and climbers, complicating any chances of negotiating climbing permission not only at Tekoa, but also at other worthwhile crags located on property under it's authority. Such negotiations are often exceedingly slow and frustrating, but illicit climbing will only make them more so. During the period that climbing was permitted there, a larger number of routes , covering a wider grade range, had been established, though were subsequently chopped by "you know who". But please stay away from this crag as enticing as it is.

Talon Grace wrote:

So Tekoa has about 12 solid routes, most of them are between 12b-13b

This info is incorrect, due to access it should also not be posted on an open forum. Please consider deleting it. 

Amander wrote: Interested in working towards the 'opening' of Mt. Tekoa.  

My Polish immigrant Great-Grandparents lived beneath this mountain in a community nicknamed "The Beehive."  Most of the townsfolk worked at Strathmore Paper Company (including my Great-Grandpa).  My Grandma (still alive, age 90) regularly summited Tekoa as a child.  She also self-published a book which includes pictures & history of the area.  I'd be a good spokesperson for the reasonable development of these crags.  

Soooo...if anyone knows the best way to get involved - I'd love to hear it.

This might fall under the Western Mass climber's coalition's domain.  I'm sure they'd help, or at least steer you in the right direction and rally some troops for you.

Hello Amander, Yes, Kevin is correct, the Western Mass Climbers Coalition (WMCC) have been involved in the access situation at Tekoa for a number of years. Unfortunately the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, who administer the property, have not been open to discussions , so activity in that regard has been in hiatus for a while now as we have been focusing on other projects. Still a fresh approach might yield better results, though it definitely should be coordinated with the WMCC. I suggest that you contact Jeff Squire, WMCC president, to get more background details and possibly work with him and others on the best way to approach DFW. If you can't find out how to reach Jeff, pm me and I'll give you the contact info.