ANNOUNCEMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Ragged Mountain Foundation is in the final stages of purchasing Pinnacle Rock in Plainville, Connecticut, aiming to secure passive recreation access indefinitely.
The RMF has the opportunity to purchase this cliff and protect it indefinitely. We need your help to raise all the funds to buy the cliff and cover the closing costs of this land acquisition. Several generous donors have stepped up and pledged their support to our matching campaign. Special thanks goes out to Matt Shove, Don Pelletier, Dan and Megan Friedman,
The RMF worked with the former landowner of the property, Tilcon, to carve out a parcel that gives the community access to a section of the blue trail that travels over the summit of Pinnacle Rock along with a section of the access trail and cliff face.
The importance of this purchase can not be understated. Pinnacle Cliff is the site of many climbers' first leads. With a plethora of low angle well protected traprock lines, Pinnacle might be the most popular climbing venue in all of Southern New England. .
Please consider becoming an RMF member, upgrading your membership to our Trap Rock Tier membership or donating to the Pinnacle Cliff purchase. All of which will help the RMF pay for access to the property.
Pinnacle Rock: Plainville, CT
Location
Pinnacle Rock in Plainville is situated south of Talcott Mountain and just north of Cooks Gap and is traversed by the Blue Trail (New England Scenic Trail).
History
Pinnacle Cliff is a historic high point site of significance along the traprock ridge line. In the 1700s a smallpox hospital was situated atop nearby hospital rock. Then in the 1950s a Nike Missile Base, part of the Cold War defense system, was built along the ridge line south of Pinnacle Cliff.
Today Pinnacle sits in the middle of a busy suburban neighborhood. The sounds of lawnmowers and string trimmers are a reminder that this resource is situated in everyday America.
Pinnacle now sits in a zone protected by both the Ragged Mountain Foundation and the Town of Farmington’s open space. In addition to the variety of climbing options on the cliff face the well traveled New England trail, a section of the Metacomet, runs across its summit.
Climbing at Pinnacle
Pinnacle is known for its low angle easy to access single pitch climbing. With over 80 climbs of various difficulty there tends to be something for everyone. Most parties can be found at either end of the cliff leaving the middle to feel more adventurous. Pinnacle like many other traprock zones have hard to protect routes along with the popular G rated cracks with bolted anchors. As with all Connecticut traprock climbing, grades are the standard traprock flare. Expect a sandbag here and there.
Access Issues
Parking is challenging, so please carpool. The commuter lots off of New Britain Ave. have many options as the parking in the Metacomet/Pinnacle Rd. neighborhood should be limited. Although the neighbors have been very understanding of the hikers and climbers over the years, please don’t walk on their lawns, or park in front of their driveways. Limit noise while moving to and from the cliff.
Notes
Climbers and hikers have been allowed unofficial access to its trail and cliffs for many years. AVT’s, motorbikes and partiers frequent the property and occasionally throw rocks and bottles over the edge. Glass and trash are big challenges at Pinnacle. Clean-up crews in both the spring and fall haul large quantities of garbage each year. Climbers have even used generators and portable vacuums to clean glass from the holds around the many classic climbs at this popular cliff. Please bring a trash bag and help the clean-up effort.
