Potter Mountain Cliff
- 18 routes
- 5.8 – 5.11d
- Sport · Trad
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Potter Mountain Cliff is a rock climbing area in New York, about 2 miles from the village of Swastika. The area sits close to several other climbing spots and trails, making it an easy base for a day of climbing and hiking in the surrounding region. The cliff holds 18 routes, with styles ranging from sport to trad and grades from 5.8 to 5.11d. Sport climbers will find routes like Poker Face (5.9+) and Hold It Like a Hamburger (5.11d), while trad climbers can try Stop Making Sense (5.8) and Brazilian (5.10b). The median grade is 5.10b. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 74°F in July with lows near 54°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The station sits about 17 miles away and at a similar elevation, so conditions on the cliff itself may vary a little. Summit Cliff and the Summit Cliff Trail are both about 0.7 miles away, and Silver Lake and Purple Rain Wall are each about a mile off. The Saranac River, roughly 5 miles away, offers paddling for those looking to spend time on the water.
Best time to go
Best time to visit Potter Mountain 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
23° / 6°
18 wet
Feb
27° / 8°
14 wet
Mar
36° / 16°
14 wet
Apr
49° / 29°
14 wet
May
62° / 40°
15 wet
Jun
70° / 49°
14 wet
Jul
74° / 54°
14 wet
Aug
73° / 52°
13 wet
Sep
66° / 45°
13 wet
Oct
52° / 35°
15 wet
Nov
40° / 25°
16 wet
Dec
28° / 14°
18 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Placid 2 S, NY, 17.3 mi away at 1,888 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Routes (18)
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