New York · Rock climbing · Keene

The Barkeater Cliff

20 routes
5.5 – 5.10c
Trad · Mixed

The Barkeater Cliff is a climbing area in New York's Sentinel Range Wilderness, managed by the State Department of Conservation. It sits within the wilderness, which makes it a destination for those looking to climb in a designated wildland setting. The area has 20 routes, most of them traditional, with a few mixed climbs. Grades run from 5.5 to 5.10c, and the hardest route listed is Rule of the Bone at 5.10c. Among the trad routes, Mr. Dirty is at 5.6 and ASPCA at 5.7+, while Fun Country is the only one that reaches the 5.10a level. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Lake Placid put July highs around 74°F and lows near 54°F, with June and August close behind. Several other climbing areas and trails lie within a few miles. Pitchoff Chimney Cliff is about 1.4 miles away, and Pitchoff Mountain Trail is about 1.3 miles off. Owls Head Mountain and Owls Head Trail are each within about 2 miles.

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit The Barkeater Cliff

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      23° / 6°

      18 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 8°

      14 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 16°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 29°

      14 wet

    5. May

      62° / 40°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 49°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 54°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 52°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 45°

      13 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 35°

      15 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 25°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 14°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Placid 2 S, NY, 6.8 mi away at 1,888 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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