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New York · Rock Climbing
Clare, New York sits in the western Adirondacks, and its rock climbing scene is small but legitimate -- nine routes spread across a handful of crags, with Twin Falls Cliff serving as the main climbing area anchoring the zone.
9 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 9 spots
Clare, New York sits in the western Adirondacks, and its rock climbing scene is small but legitimate -- nine routes spread across a handful of crags, with Twin Falls Cliff serving as the main climbing area anchoring the zone. The route names alone give you a sense of the local character: Elusive Bastard and Egg! suggest a crag culture that doesn't take itself too seriously, while routes like Fancy Feet and The Afternoon Matinee hint at technical face climbing that rewards precise footwork over raw power. Jake's Corner and Jeff-James round out the selection alongside Trundle Bundle and Twin Rises, giving visiting climbers enough variety to fill a solid day without driving between multiple areas. This isn't a destination you visit for volume -- it's the kind of place that rewards climbers who want a quieter experience away from the crowds that hit more trafficked Adirondack crags. If you're based in the North Country or passing through on a longer trip, Clare is worth a half-day detour. Come with a rack, a partner, and realistic expectations about the scale of the area, and you'll likely leave satisfied.
Twin Falls Cliff is the primary climbing area listed in Clare. Routes like The Afternoon Matinee, Fancy Feet, Elusive Bastard, and others appear to be concentrated in this zone, so plan to base your day around getting to that crag first.
The route names suggest a mix of styles -- Fancy Feet implies technical slab or face climbing that suits intermediate climbers, while Elusive Bastard hints at something with a bit more fight to it. Without published grade data for all nine routes, it's worth researching each route individually on Mountain Project or contacting a local climbing shop before your trip if you're a beginner.
Elusive Bastard
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Twin Falls Cliff
Waterfall-set climbing crag in New York with varied routes for multiple abilities.
The Knife
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Egg!
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Far East
~22 min drive
New York climbing area with routes for multiple skill levels.
Puggle Me Elmo
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Trundle Bundle
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Rick Ross Boulder
~22 min drive
New York bouldering area with varied problems for developing climbers.
Banana Sling Shot
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Jake's Corner
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Blaze Wall
~22 min drive
New York climbing area with varied routes for developing climbers.
Potsdam Good
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
For a traditional Adirondack crag setting like Twin Falls Cliff, bring a standard trad rack unless you've confirmed specific routes are sport-bolted. Approach shoes or hiking boots are worth having for the walk in. Check current beta sources for anchor conditions before relying on fixed gear.
Late spring through early fall is the practical window for climbing in this part of the Adirondacks -- roughly May through October. Summer mornings are ideal before afternoon heat and humidity set in. Avoid early spring when rock stays wet from snowmelt, and be aware that black flies are a genuine nuisance in May and early June.
Clare sits in a rural corner of the western Adirondacks where land ownership can be a mix of private, state, and easement-based access. Verify current access status for Twin Falls Cliff through the Adirondack Mountain Club or local climbing coalitions before your visit -- access situations in smaller, less-trafficked areas can change without much public notice.
