Elevation: | 1,393 ft | 425 m |
GPS: |
44.43274, -70.52741 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 197,811 total · 929/month | |
Shared By: | Jay Knower on May 21, 2007 · Updates | |
Admins: | Ladd Raine, Jonathan S, Robert Hall |
Another successful breeding season at the crag, thanks to all the climbers who chose to respect the nesting pair.
For more info. Please contact Dr. Erynn Call, MDIFW State Raptor Specialist with any questions: erynn.call@maine.gov.
To learn more about peregrines in Maine, check out this link: maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife…
Description
Located about an hour away from North Conway, Shagg sees a fair amount of traffic, though it is still possible to have the crag by yourself on a sunny weekend. The crag gets afternoon sun and there is little to offer shade, so expect a warm climbing experience. This can be a great thing on sunny winter days, or a curse on sunny summer days. Get up early on warm days and climb until the wall comes into the sun.
Besides Waimea at Rumney, Shagg might be the most stacked cliff in all of New England. If you're looking for endurance-esque 5.12's, I can't think of a better crag. The guidebook lists twelve routes rated 5.12 and almost all of them are quality. Shaggin Wagon (12a), Ginseng Route (12c), Meltdown (12c/d), and Shagg It (12d), stand out as unique classics. If you're looking for routes of a more moderate grade, Shagg might offer enough for a day or so, and The Great Escape (10d) should not be missed.
Getting There
From the south (starting at Norway, ME):
Take Rte. 26 towards West Paris and turn right (east) onto Rte. 219.
After 4.8 miles, turn left (north) onto Tuell Hill Rd. Follow Tuell Hill Rd. 1.7 miles where you turn left to continue on Tuell Hill Rd. and not continue onto Heath Hill Rd., Tuell Hill Rd continues until it dead-ends into Redding Road just after a bridge. Reset your odometer at the bridge and turn left (west) onto Redding Road. At 3.9 or 4.0 miles there is an obvious pullout on the left. Park here; the trail starts on the other side of the road, which is marked as Little Concord Pond State ParkTrailhead and is easily found on Google Maps.
DO NOT turn right on North Shore Rd at the bottom of the hill- it is a private, dead end road.
DO NOT leave your trash, leave your bowel movements or camp in the parking lot. The parking lot is privately owned (not part of the state park and the owner does not appreciate the state of it, whether or not it is climbers doing this). You can message Shagg Snacks on Google Maps' chat function for limited very cheap camping options and endless tasty snacks before or after your session.
Follow the trail for about 10 minutes until you come to a pond and a trail junction (the left fork goes to the pond, the middle fork contours east around the pond to an amazing rock to jump off after your hot day of climbing, the right fork heads up a steep ridge/hill marked by a green sign 'Bald/Speckled Mountain'. Take the right fork up the hill for 15-20 minutes and keep your eyes peeled for a subtle climber's trail that branches off to the right (east) and drops down around to the Shagg Crag. If you miss this turn, you'll continue for 5 minutes to an obvious trail junction (the righthand fork of which leads to the summit loop of Bald Mountain or continues on left to Speckled Mountain). This is a worthy detour and it is easy to visit the first summit and then retrace your steps back to the climber's trail. If you totally biff it and end up at Speckled, you'll add another 1.5 hours to your hike. Total hiking time is about 30-40 minutes.
Classic Climbing Routes at -Shagg Crag
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