Beer Walls in Chapel Pond Canyon

While the Adirondack Park may be known for its mountains and waterfalls, it is also home to some of the best rock and ice climbing in the country.

Just off of the main road in the town of Keene lies a small canyon known as Chapel Pond Canyon, where the Beer Walls can be found. The Upper and Lower Beer Walls are made up of over 30 routes named, as one may suspect, after the libation. The Roaring Twenties (5.10), Neutron Brew (5.10), and Rockaholic (5.8) are a handful of the different routes, each with varying degrees of difficulty.

Not only is this a prime destination for climbers, but hikers can also enjoy a view of the Great Range and a seasonal waterfall from one of three lookouts. Beer Walls Falls, an extremely seasonal waterfall, flows from the side of Round Mountain across the way. This waterfall is best visited in the early spring or after a steady rain when there is enough water to pour over the exposed rock.

The trail and trailhead are unmarked but very well-worn and easy to find from the parking area. The trail leads steeply uphill for the first two-thirds of the way. When you reach the top of the climb, there will be a privy at an intersection. Proceed right to follow the trail to the lookouts and climbing areas. Proceed to the lookouts over a well-worn trail that is lined with fallen birch. The trail will turn left and up between two large sections of rock. There the trail splits right and left to two different lookouts. From the lookouts, the Great Range can be seen in the distance. This range of Adirondack High Peaks consists of Upper and Lower Wolfjaws, Armstrong, Gothics, Basin, Saddleback, and Haystack mountains.