New York · Rock climbing · North Elba

Moss Cliff

Moss CliffPhoto: Apuch, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
9 routes
5.9+ – 5.12d
Trad

Moss Cliff is a climbing area in the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness in New York, managed by the State Department of Conservation. It sits within the wilderness, so plan on a trip that stays on designated routes and respects the surrounding protected land. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Lake Placid show July highs around 74°F with lows near 54°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Notch Mountain is just 0.4 miles away, and Cloudspin Cliff is about 1.9 miles off. For a walk, the West Branch Nature Trail and Whiteface Landing Trail are both within about 2 miles.

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Moss 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, 4.9 mi away at 1,888 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (9)

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Notch MountainPhoto: Apuch, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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