New York · Rock climbing · Fort Ann · Near Schroon Lake

Desert Shield Area

6 routes
5.6 – 5.10a
Sport
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Desert Shield Area is a climbing area in the Lake George Wild Forest in New York, managed by the State Department of Conservation. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with Shelving Rock, Neanderthal Cave and Carhartt Wall all about 0.1 mile away, and Main Wall about 0.2 mile off. The area is a compact hub of sport climbing, with six routes spread across the surrounding rock. The climbing here is all sport, and the grades run from 5.6 up to 5.10a. Shelving Rock Earth Penatrator and WMD are both 5.6, while El Kabong is the hardest at 5.10a. Rumney but Crumbly, a 5.9, was first climbed in 2010 by Justin Barrett and Adam Ostrander. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Whitehall show July highs around 83°F with lows near 61°F, and September still reaching about 74°F. That station sits roughly 470 feet lower than the area, so temperatures on the rock run a little cooler.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Hens and Chickens Island

    Campground

    Campground · 0.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Bolton Landing Brewing Company

    Brewery

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Schroon Lake
  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Desert Shield Area

    Best months: April and 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

      30° / 12°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 12°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 22°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 35°

      11 wet

    5. May

      71° / 47°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 56°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 61°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 60°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 52°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 41°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      47° / 31°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 21°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Whitehall, NY, 10.1 mi away at 119 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (6)

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