Massachusetts · Rock climbing · Medford

Hemlock Pool at Middlesex Fells

Hemlock Pool at Middlesex FellsPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
15 routes
V0 – V5
Bouldering
Jun–Oct
best months

Clear at last check

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 21 h ago

Hemlock Pool at Middlesex Fells is a bouldering area in Massachusetts, about a mile from Malden Highlands. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots and trails, with Hemlock Pool Path and the Painted Boulder and The Cove climbing areas all within a tenth of a mile. The area is a bouldering destination, with 15 routes spread across the boulder style. Grades run from V0- up to V5, with V1 as the median. Among the named routes are Free Period at V0, Revolver Reach at V1, and Certain Fate at V5, which was first climbed by "Some dude in the 90s wearing neon pink lycra." For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Reading show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, while winter brings regular snow days from December through February. The Cross Fells Trail and Rock Circuit Trail are both about half a mile away, and Wright's Park is about half a mile off. Paddlers can reach the Shawsheen River, roughly 10 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Hemlock Pool at Middlesex Fells

    Best months: June–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.

    1. Jan

      38° / 19°

      12 wet · 8 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 20°

      11 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      48° / 27°

      13 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      60° / 37°

      13 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      70° / 47°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 56°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 63°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 61°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 53°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 42°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      43° / 24°

      12 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Reading, MA, 5.8 mi away at 110 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (15)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Painted BoulderPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Painted Boulder

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Painted Boulder in Massachusetts has 5 bouldering routes across 3 grades.

The CovePhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Cove

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Cove, The in Massachusetts has 8 climbing routes on 6 difficulty grades.

Crag 3Photo: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crag 3

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Crag 3 in Massachusetts has 5 routes with 4 difficulty grades, offering top-rope and trad climbing.

Fat ManPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Fat Man

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Accessible Massachusetts climbing area with varied routes for developing climbers.

Crag 54Photo: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crag 54

~1 min drive

Crag 54 in Massachusetts has 8 routes with 6 difficulty grades, offering bouldering and top-rope climbing.

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Woodland Road Boulder

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5 bouldering routes in Massachusetts spanning 4 difficulty grades.

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Wright's Park

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Wright's Park in Massachusetts has 4 climbing routes on bouldering pads.

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Slanted Boulder

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Slanted Boulder in Massachusetts has 19 bouldering routes across 10 grades.

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BooJum Rock Area at Middlesex Fells

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BooJum Rock Area at Middlesex Fells has 5 climbing routes in Massachusetts.

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Theta Boulder

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Theta Boulder in Massachusetts has 9 bouldering routes across 7 grades.