Main Cliff
- 39 routes
- 5.3 – 5.11c
- Trad · Sport · Mixed
Main Cliff is a climbing area in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness of New York, managed by the State Department of Conservation. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with Nugget Knob and Shanty Cliff each about 0.1 mile away and Shanty Sports Arena about 0.2 mile off. That makes it easy to pair with other climbs in the same corner of the wilderness. The area has 39 routes, with trad, sport and mixed styles all represented. The YDS grades run from 5.3 up to 5.11c, so there is something for climbers of all levels. Some of the named routes include Sleepwalk (5.3, trad), Little Gem Diner (5.6, mixed) and Hard Times (5.11c, sport). Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 75°F with lows near 54°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. For a change from the rock, the Oregon Trail and Little Joe Pond trail are both within about 1.5 miles. Paddlers can reach the Sacandaga River, roughly 8 miles away.
Best time to go
Best time to visit Main 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.
Jan
25° / 6°
17 wet
Feb
28° / 7°
14 wet
Mar
36° / 15°
14 wet
Apr
49° / 28°
14 wet
May
63° / 40°
16 wet
Jun
71° / 49°
15 wet
Jul
75° / 54°
15 wet
Aug
73° / 53°
13 wet
Sep
67° / 45°
13 wet
Oct
54° / 35°
16 wet
Nov
41° / 25°
16 wet
Dec
31° / 14°
17 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Indian Lake 2sw, NY, 16.3 mi away at 1,670 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Routes (39)
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