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East Peak

Connecticut > Central Valley
Warning Access Issue: Permits Required to Climb on City of Meriden, CT properties. DetailsDrop down

Description

This area lies above the town of Meriden. A small "Castle" (Castle Crag) sits at the summit of the peak and affords an excellent view of central CT. The road to the top is closed evenings and during the winter - check the sign at the gate and make sure you don't get locked in. When the road is closed a bit of hiking is needed to get to the crags.Most of the best crags overlook Merimere Reservoir, part of the Meriden water supply.

UPDATED ACCESS NEWS: Congratulations RMF!!!
   The city of Meriden recognizes climbing as a legitimate recreational activity on town land only for those individuals who maintain active membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation.
   Now active members of The RMF can obtain permits sanctioned by Meriden’s Department of Parks and Recreation that allow for the responsible use of the town’s many cliff sides, trails, and boulders in pursuit of rock climbing. (Make no mistake, this is a huge deal for CT climbing!)

   Permits can be obtained (by active dues paying RMF members only) from the Meriden Parks and Recreation building located at 460 Liberty Street between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm for a $5 fee. Please be aware that it may take up to 30 days between the time of purchasing a membership with the Ragged Mountain Foundation and appearing on the city’s list of individual climbers authorized to receive permits. Please be aware that permits are issued on an individual basis, and are not interchangeable between multiple members in a single party. Each permit issued is valid for one year from the time of registration and will require renewal annually at the parks and recreation offices to remain as such.

From Left to Right the crags are as follows:
1. Castle Crag
2. Rite of Spring
3. Dihedral Section
4. Amphitheater
5. Fall Wall
6. Merimere Face

Getting There

Take Exit 4 off I-691 and head southeast on Rt. 322 towards Meriden. Go about .7 mile and turn sharp left into Hubbard Park. Follow Mirror Lake Dr. around lake and past the swimming pool until it ends at Hubbard Park Dr. Turn left. Just beneath the highway overpass is a gate that closes the road to the castle at night (currently 4:45 pm) and in winter (November through April).

If gate to castle is open, note posted closing time and drive up road 3 miles (taking left fork) and park in lot by castle. Follow the blue-blazed trail east from the parking lot for 5-10 minutes. The top of the cliffs are on your right.

If the gate to castle is closed, park and walk past the gate up the road. Just as you reach the reservoir, turn left onto a gated dirt road. Follow the dirt road a couple hundred yards until it curves sharply left. Take a faint trail on the right. The trail crosses a small stream and heads up left through the woods several hundred feet to an open scree slope. Follow the trail diagonally left up through the scree to a steep, faint trail that leads to base of the cliffs near route "Shades of Grey" and "Grey Corner" (Amphitheater Area). A sketchy, loose goat trail skirts the bottom of the cliffs. Go left for Rite of Spring and Dihedral Section; go right for Fall Wall and Merimere Face.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Arete climb
[Hide Photo] Arete climb
Doug at the stemming start of Cat Crack showing the unique, for New England, volcanic rock.
[Hide Photo] Doug at the stemming start of Cat Crack showing the unique, for New England, volcanic rock.
Mikko leading "Relection of Fall", 5.9+<br>
on the Merimere face of East Peak
[Hide Photo] Mikko leading "Relection of Fall", 5.9+ on the Merimere face of East Peak
Eastvillage on "Reflection of Fall" 5.9+<br>
Merimere Face, East Peak
[Hide Photo] Eastvillage on "Reflection of Fall" 5.9+ Merimere Face, East Peak
Castle Craig (public domain photo taken from the Wikipedia)
[Hide Photo] Castle Craig (public domain photo taken from the Wikipedia)

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Miss Cat
Hell
[Hide Comment] Permits are required to climb here, through RMF. U can park @ the base, or @ the top when the road is open.

raggedmtn.org/blog/2020/1/1…

Did u try to buy one only to be turned down? Jun 25, 2020
Kenneth Hoehn
Lebanon, NH
[Hide Comment] Just heard from the Meriden Parks and Rec office that you can get the climbing permit over the phone now. Mar 10, 2023