Climbing Near Ipswich, Massachusetts

If you are in the area and desperate for a quick easy bouldering workout, this is actually a decent spot. In the fall when the leaves come off, there is a great view of Essex bay up here (whether buildering or not). You can climb all around this thing. There is a small ledge around the base, which could turn an ankle but otherwise the landing is soft flat grass. Please don't use chalk on this manmade structure. The Stavros Reservation is just off 133. Take Island Road and park on the right side. The Reservation is well sign posted. Follow the path uphill to the stone building.

The coast north of Boston is home to high quality granite rock climbing. Most of this is fairly dispersed and— with a few notable exceptions— on the smaller side. Places of particular interest include Lynn Woods, which probably offers Boston-area boulderers the best combination of proximity, accessibility, and concentration of high quality problems, and Red Rock, which has the best single pitch climbing in Eastern, MA.   Also notable is the extensively documented bouldering on Cape Ann. Though less concentrated to particular areas than Pawtuckaway to the North (and even Lynn Woods) this area has the advantage of generally drier settings, short bug season, and ocean-moderated temperatures. It is quite possible to climb year around without undue suffering (save for the extremes of summer heat and winter snows). In the summer months, with a little planning one can boulder most of the day, swim in the ocean, and— if one is so inclined— enjoy decent beer and overpriced seafood in a scenic seaside setting. Most of the these areas are best accessed via rt.128/95. See the area listing for more specifics.  

This is a striking 25' boulder (set of multiple boulders, really) sitting right on the trail. The mail boulder is two boulders: one propped on another forming an incredible flake. This boulder receives visitors, since it is a destination within the woods trail system and is indicated on their trail plan. There is a 45 degree face with a very hard line on it. There are some dirty slabs and then there is the Bear's Den Flake. There are other boulders in the area. Park on Andrews Street in the small lot on the left past Essex River. The lot is also the trail head for the Homestead Trail. Take the Homestead Trail for about 0.5 mile to a "T" intersection, and take a left. Go another 0.3 miles to find this incredible rock on your left.