Cascade Pass Rock Climbing

  • Route 73, Lake Placid

The Chimney Cliff on Pitchoff Mountain is one of the most popular and scenic crags in the region. Known for its exposed position across from the gorgeous Cascade Lakes, this cliff is made up of a protrusion of red gneiss from the sea of grey Adirondack anorthosite granite. This abnormality creates a deep chimney down into the heart of Pitchoff Mountain along with unique and extraordinary routes for climbing.

How to get there

From Lake Placid, head South towards Keene on Rt. 73 past the Cascade Mountain trailhead and Cascade Lakes Multiple Use Area. Continue on for one mile to the roadside pull-offs just across from the cliffs. The area is visible from the road.

By the numbers

The approach trail is located across the road from the parking area and is extremely short - less than one-quarter mile to any route at the crag, though the trail is quite loose and steep in areas, so proper footwear is required.

Rock climbing

Pitchoff Chimney Cliff: This area has a wonderful variety of beginner, moderate, and more difficult routes, consisting of toprope, sport, and trad climbing. Many of the routes are multipitch climbs, so proper knowledge and a guidebook or topo of the area are necessary.