Massachusetts · Rock climbing · Medford

Painted Boulder

Painted BoulderPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5 routes
V2 – V3
Bouldering
Jun–Oct
best months

Painted Boulder is a climbing area in Massachusetts, about 0.8 miles from the community of Malden Highlands. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots and trails, so it works well as a stop in a day of exploring the surrounding rock and paths. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Reading show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, with July the warmest month at about 84°F. Several other climbing areas and hikes are within a short distance. Cove, The and Hemlock Pool at Middlesex Fells are each about 0.1 mile away, and Woodland Road Boulder is about 0.4 mile off. The Cross Fells Trail is about half a mile away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Painted Boulder

    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 (5)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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

The Cove

Next door

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

Hemlock Pool at Middlesex FellsPhoto: Karlunun, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hemlock Pool at Middlesex Fells

Next door

15 bouldering routes at Hemlock Pool in Massachusetts.

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

Crag 3

~1 min drive

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

~1 min drive

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.

CLIMB

Woodland Road Boulder

Next door

5 bouldering routes in Massachusetts spanning 4 difficulty grades.

CLIMB

BooJum Rock Area at Middlesex Fells

Next door

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

CLIMB

Wright's Park

Next door

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

CLIMB

Slanted Boulder

Next door

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

CLIMB

Crag 1 aka Pinnacle Rock

~1 min drive

11-route climbing area in Massachusetts with top-rope and trad options.