McKenzie Pond Boulders

The McKenzie Pond boulders offer some of the best in the park. Whether you're looking to get some quick laps or for a full day destination, its four full boulder zones are sure to offer plenty to explore. With climbs ranging from V0 to V10 (with many other hard projects yet to be FA'd), the area is quite versatile, though first-timers may find the style and grading of problems stiffer than your average area. McKenzie Pond is popular, though relatively quiet, place to go throughout the season. Whether you're looking to hangout near the popular climbs and meet a new partner, or escape to some solitude, you'll find what you're looking for at this Adirondack gem.

How to get there

From Saranac Lake, head south on Rt. 86 towards Lake Placid. With the lake to your right, continue straight through the stop sign on River St. towards Pine St. Bare right, and continue on Pine St. (McKenzie Pond Rd.) for two miles past the Jackrabbit Trail parking area on your left. On the right side of the road, there is a small designated pull-off. The trail to the boulders begins on the opposite side of the road about 20 yards past the parking area.

By the numbers

The clean rock and numerous boulders provide innumerable lines in each of four sets of boulders. The trails to each of these sets are well-defined and quite short, over easy terrain - usually only a few minutes to each set, with very little elevation gain in between. There are over 200 problems established.

Bouldering

All of the problems at McKenzie Pond have been well documented in several guidebooks over the years including the first edition of Adirondack Rock and Adirondack Park Bouldering. If you're looking to know more about what you're getting on, we'd recommend picking up a copy of one of those guides. If you'd rather explore, then stop by, and give it a shot. You're bound to find clean, high quality rock, with tons of fun lines.