The majority to the rock we enjoy in Western Mass tends to be gneiss, yet we are blessed with four other mediums: granite, schist, conglomerate sandstone, and basaltic traprock.  The Holyoke Range, an east-west trending mountain range, contains some of this Western Mass traprock. Toprope climbing can be found on the south side of Mount Skinner State Park (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/skinner/), located at the western extent of the Holyoke Range.

While there is an abundance of rock found along the entire ridgeline of the Range, most tends to be very poor quality and unclimbable.  Nevertheless, a small series of southeast facing crags have been spared from this choss demise, yielding some surprisingly fun and thought provoking climbs in the 5.8-5.13 range.  Despite its diminutive nature (30ft max.), two developed tiers contain around 25 climbs and several contrived linkups.  The climbing is very interesting given that there are very few down-pulling holds, forcing climbers to use creative technique on bad slopers, sidepulls, and triangular pinches unique to the climbing on Mount Holyoke, as it's actually called.

Parking

Getting there and Parking:  The parking is located about 100 yards down Old Mountain Road/Barros Road just off of Rt. 47 in Hadley (Note- Old Mountain Road/Barros Road is a one way loop, so be sure to enter on the southern entrance where it is a dirt road).  Park on the right side of the road (as far off as possible) at the junction of the M&M trailhead (white blazes).  There is also a small kiosk at the trailhead.  Please be courteous, as this is a residential neighborhood.

Map

Trails

Start by following the M&M trail (white blazes) uphill.  Go under the power lines, walk along the ridge, then past two semi-vernal pools.  At the second vernal pool, drop off the trail onto the right side of the ridge (south).  The cliffs are no more than 100 steps off of the trail.  This walk should take about 15 minutes.

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