Cheese Cut

The Cheese Cut is an 80’ tall crag located on private land in Swanzey NH that has both ice and rock climbing available. There are about five ice climbs (NEI 3 to 5) and ten rock climbs in 5.8 to 5.11 range. The approach is about 2 miles on mostly Class 6 roads that get used in the winter by snow mobiles.

Directions and Parking

Limited parking for the Cheese Cut is available at the end of Troy Hill Rd (N42.832492, W72.256045). To reach the parking area from the north, turn onto Route 32 from Route 12 and travel for 5.4 miles, and then turn left onto Goodell Ave. In 0.8 miles bear right for Troy Hill Rd. Continue straight to a Stop sign at Hale Hill Rd. Continue straight across Hale Hill Rd to continue on Troy Hill Rd, which is now a dirt road. The parking is on the left at a small clearing about 0.1 mile up the dirt road, just past a commercial logging operation.

Trails

The trail to the Cheese Cut crag from the Troy Hill Rd parking follows a Class 6 road uphill for about ¾ of a mile to a clearing. The Class 6 road is essentially the continuation of Troy Hill Rd. Continue straight through the clearing for another ¼ mile until you get to a side trail on the right (south side) that is blocked by boulders. Turn right on this trail for about ½ mile until you get to a small clearing with several trails. Continue straight on the right-most trail, passing a boulder on your left, for another ½ mile, until you see a carin on your left (east) and faint trail leading up through boulders and scree to the base of the crag.

Current Issues

Parking is limited, especially in the winter. Permission for climbing has not officially been obtained from the land owners, although the area is well used by hunters, snow mobilers, and other outdoor recreationists.