Hidden in Plain Sight
Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 6 routes
- V2 – V4-5
- Bouldering
- Aug–Sep
- best months
Hidden in Plain Sight is a bouldering area in McConnells Mill State Park in Pennsylvania, managed by State Park and Recreation. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots and trails, with several other climbing areas and the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail (NCT) all within about a tenth of a mile. The area is a bouldering destination, with six routes listed, all rated between V2 and V4 on the V scale. The names of the routes include Hidden in Plain Sight (V2), Don't Go Near the Light (V3), Blinkers (V4-5) and Eyes Wide Shut (V4). The climbing is all bouldering, so there is no rope or anchor work involved. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 69°F and September highs around 74°F, with July the warmest month at about 81°F. The Slippery Rock Gorge Trail (NCT) and the Birthday Boulder and Island Block climbing areas are all about 0.1 mile away. The North Country Trail lies about 2.5 miles off.
- Slippery Rock Gorge Trail (NCT)Hiking0.1 mi
- Birthday BoulderRock climbing0.1 mi
- Island BlockRock climbingPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)0.1 mi
- Rappel RockRock climbingPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)0.1 mi
- Sunshine WallRock climbing0.1 mi
- North Country TrailHiking2.5 mi
Glacier Ridge Trail (NCT)HikingPhoto: hhm8, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)2.9 mi- Five Points TrailHiking3.1 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Island BlockRock climbing · Next doorPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Rappel RockRock climbing · Next doorPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Birthday BoulderRock climbing · Next door
- Sunshine WallRock climbing · Next door
- Rim Road Climbing AreaRock climbing · Next door
- McConnells Mill State ParkRock climbing · Next door
- Kennedy's MillRock climbing · ~5 min drive
- Squid WallRock climbing · ~49 min drive
- Bears Den CabinRock climbing · ~49 min drive
- Harrison Hills ParkRock climbing · ~56 min drive
Best time to visit Hidden in Plain Sight
Best months: August–September. 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
33° / 17°
16 wet
Feb
37° / 18°
14 wet
Mar
46° / 25°
14 wet
Apr
59° / 35°
14 wet
May
69° / 45°
15 wet
Jun
77° / 54°
14 wet
Jul
81° / 58°
13 wet
Aug
80° / 56°
12 wet
Sep
74° / 50°
11 wet
Oct
61° / 39°
13 wet
Nov
49° / 31°
13 wet
Dec
38° / 23°
15 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Slippery Rock 1 Ssw, PA, 9.2 mi away at 1,260 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
