Sessions Woods WMA Bouldering
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Elevation: | 767 ft | 234 m |
GPS: |
41.72547, -72.97426 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 1,685 total · 27/month | |
Shared By: | Brian D on Mar 21, 2020 | |
Admins: | Morgan Patterson |
Description
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.
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.
Getting There
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.
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