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Bolton Dome Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Bolton Dome

01. West Side 7 / 4 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 12

02. Bat Wall 4 / 1 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8

03. Railroad Yard 5 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 12

04. Railroad Ledge 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

05. Cloud Nine 1 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4

06. Main Wall 2 / 8 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 11

07. The Pirate's Cove 0 / 8 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8

08. Immunity Wall 1 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4

09. Dometop 2 / 9 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 11

10. Neighborhood Ledge 2 / 6 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8

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Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	520 ft	158 m
GPS:	44.37066, -72.85792 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	184,818 total · 2,238/month
Shared By:	Kristen Fiore on Feb 1, 2018 · Updates
Admins:	Jason Hayden, Kristen Fiore, Luc-514 Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures for access issues: please review cragvt.org Details

Access Issue: Parking and Dogs Details

CRAG-VT has secured a parking lot for the Bolton Dome! Currently there is room for 12 cars. Turn onto Champ Ln. and the parking lot is immediately seen on the left. There are signs to show you where to park. From the lot, walk up to the cliff.

IF THE LOT IS FULL: Park on the SOUTH side of the road clear of any mailboxes and with all tires off the paved portion of the road.

Additionally, no dogs are allowed at Bolton Dome after a few incidents involving neighbors.

Description

A historic, south facing cliff with a 5-minute approach, tall climbing, and one of the most impressive boulders in New England. This cliff was closed for more than 20 years until the work of CRAG-VT opened it back to the public in 2019. Many excellent new bolted routes have filled out the once blank faces denied to ascentionists of the 80s and 90s and more are still being developed. With the new routes that have gone up this cliff now has the highest concentration of 5.12- routes in Vermont! Probably a crag best suited for the spring and fall, by June this cliff bakes in the sun and is unbearably hot in summer save for early mornings or the occasional cool day.

NOTE ON RATINGS: Many of the older routes described here are given ratings from the original topo (1980s) without personal confirmation so please be understanding if they aren't spot on (translation: sandbagged.)

Parking/Directions

As of June, 2019, CRAG-VT has secured a parking lot at the Bolton Dome. Please understand that parking at the dome is tenuous and has been a source of strain between neighbors and climbers. Your due diligence is appreciated.

Between March 15 and November 15: To get to parking, turn off Route 2 onto Champ Lane. The lot is your first left (under the auto shop sign).

There are 12 designated spots and ONLY 12 designated spots. Please do not overload the parking lot, it is a lease and we could lose the lot with irresponsible parking. If these spots are taken please park on the south side of Route 2 (fully off the pavement and clear of mailboxes).

November 15 - March 15: If there is snow to worry about, park at the end of Bolton Valley Access Rd. and walk 20 minutes east on route 2 and up Champ Ln.

Dogs are not permitted due to the front country nature of the crag.

Finally, please know that CRAG-VT is still making payments on this cliff and paying for parking. Please consider becoming a CRAG-VT member or donating to support their efforts!

80 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Bolton Dome

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 94 ● Work Shoes Sport 3 pitches 03. Railroad Yard
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 89 ● Jamathon Trad, TR 01. W Side
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 89 ● Mister Rogers Sport 10. Neighborhood Ledge
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 51 ● Lichenology Sport 2 pitches 10. Neighborhood Ledge
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b 51 ● Senderista Sport 2 pitches 07. The Pirate's Cove
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 45 ● Mount Crushmore Sport 2 pitches 07. The Pirate's Cove
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13 29 ● Interstate Crack Trad 06. Main Wall
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 80 ● Release the Hens Sport 06. Main Wall
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 46 ● The Awesomest Sport 01. W Side
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 16 ● Before the Dawn Sport 09. Dometop
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 9 ● Winston Churchill Sport 09. Dometop
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 11 ● Two Times Infinity Sport 09. Dometop
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 6 ● Mice and Zen Sport 06. Main Wall
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a 6 ● Tripe Stripe Sport 09. Dometop
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b 10 ● Crimes of Omission Sport 06. Main Wall