YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel
Campground
Campground · 3.3 mi from the trail
Connecticut · Rock climbing · Hamden · Near Middletown
The Crossroads
- 9 routes
- V0 – V6
- Bouldering
- Apr–Oct
- best months
The Crossroads is a bouldering area in Connecticut, about 0.7 miles from the town of Mount Carmel. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Tower Area just 0.2 miles away and Top of the White Trail at 0.3 miles. The Chin and The Neck are each about 0.4 miles off, so the area works well as a base for exploring several climbing pockets in a short stretch. The climbing here is all bouldering, with nine routes spread across the area. Grades run from V0 to V6, with the easiest being Carnival and Cold Rubber Band at V0 and the hardest, Adam's Weird Arete, at V6. The median grade is V1, so the area suits climbers of all levels. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mount Carmel show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 76°F, while July peaks near 85°F. That station sits about 430 feet lower than the area, so temperatures on the boulders run a little cooler. Hikers can pair a session with Judge Cook's Oxen Trail, about 0.4 miles away, or Dickerman Carriage Road, about 0.5 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after 
If it rainsMConradWard, CC0 · Wikimedia CommonsMeriden Historical Society Museum & History Center
Museum
On your way back · 9 mi
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: MConradWard, CC0 (commons)
More in MiddletownBest time to go · Apr–Oct
Best time to visit The Crossroads
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
38° / 20°
10 wet
Feb
41° / 22°
9 wet
Mar
48° / 28°
11 wet
Apr
60° / 38°
12 wet
May
71° / 48°
11 wet
Jun
79° / 58°
10 wet
Jul
85° / 64°
10 wet
Aug
84° / 62°
9 wet
Sep
76° / 55°
9 wet
Oct
64° / 43°
9 wet
Nov
52° / 34°
9 wet
Dec
42° / 26°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Carmel, CT, 1.6 mi away at 180 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Top of the White Trail
Next door
Top of the White Trail in Connecticut has 18 bouldering routes across 6 grades.
Photo: olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)The Chin
Next door
Chin, The in Connecticut has 11 traditional climbing routes across 9 grades.
Photo: olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Between the Chin and Chest
Next door
7 bouldering routes in Connecticut, 4 difficulty grades.
Photo: olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Toni Harp Bloc
~13 min drive
Toni Harp Bloc in Connecticut has 5 bouldering routes with 5 difficulty grades.
CLIMB
Tower Area
Next door
Tower Area in Connecticut has 8 climbing routes with 6 difficulty grades.
CLIMB
The Neck
Next door
The Neck is a Connecticut climbing crag with 5 routes across 4 grades.
CLIMB
Sleeping Giant
Next door
7 bouldering routes in Connecticut with 7 distinct difficulty grades.
CLIMB
Tip Top of the White Trail
~1 min drive
7 bouldering routes in Connecticut spanning 4 grades.
CLIMB
High Rock Jumble
~5 min drive
High Rock Jumble is a Connecticut climbing crag with 11 routes across 5 grades.
CLIMB
Hermit Boulders
~5 min drive
Hermit Boulders in Connecticut has 7 bouldering routes across 5 grades.
