PRINT: Climbing in Orris Falls Bouldering, b. Southern Coast

Orris Falls Bouldering

Maine > b. Southern Coast

Description

Orris Falls Conservation Area is a 213 acre preserve owned and managed by Great Works Regional Land Trust with 3.76 miles of trails. In the heart of Tatnic, straddling the border of South Berwick and Wells, lies the remains of an ancient volcanic caldera.

The main attraction is the Balancing Rock, a large perched erratic, but there are many other erratics around it and further afield, some large. Similar rock texture and features to Pawtuckaway, and there is a lot of potential here and in the adjacet Mt. Agamenticus area.

Getting There

5 minute walk on the trail from the southern trailhead at 551 Emery's Bridge Road in South Berwick. The Balancing Rock is clearly marked on the trail map and on signs on the trail, so it's pretty hard to miss, and most of the erratics are near there.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Balancing Rock

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

John Goodlander
NH

Thanks for posting these, Balancing Rock is way more impressive in person than in the photos. I feel like the problem Penumbra would be a classic almost anywhere.

Seems like this is a pretty popular tourist spot and managed by the Nature Conservancy. Not sure their stance on climbing but definitely a good idea to keep chalk to a minimum, brush all ticks, and make sure there's no trash left behind.

This spot makes a good companion area to the nearby Kenyon Hill, which is about five minutes drive down the road. Apr 19, 2024

Rick01

I second John's comment about the chalk, given the popularity of this place as a hiking spot. Was surprised to see the Balanced Rock/Penumbra caked with chalk about a month or so ago, after climbing here for years and not seeing any. Doesn't reflect well on climbers, especially when we are in the small minority using this area. Apr 20, 2024

Evan Hennessey
South Berwick, ME

I totally agree with John and Rick, we definitely need to keep our impact to an absolute minimum to maintain this as a climbing area. That said, if you continue past "Other Boulder" you'll find a small cliff/stacked boulders right along the boundary line. If you walk up the new bumpout path by the balance boulder then take an 11:00 turn into the woods you'll find even more. Including a beautiful 40* face with a crack up the middle. Definitely some more fun to be had in these woods! Apr 21, 2024