Mountain Project: Climbing Superstition Mountains

Submitted By: Anonymous Coward on Jan 19, 2006
Administrators: Greg Opland, James DeRoussel
Elevation: 2,500 feet
Views: 24,658 page views

Add Area Add Photo Add Comment Add Event

Discussions available in the
Arizona & New Mexico
Message Forum

Description

The Superstition Mountains, aka Sierra De La Spuma (Mountains of Foam) are located just east of the Phoenix metro area. Most of the Supes is designated wilderness area and you can really get away from it all if that's your desire. The rock is volcanic in nature and can be pretty bad in places, but most of the established routes in the area are found on at least decently stable rock. Always keep an eye out for those portable holds, though.

The routes in the Supes are virtually all traditional in nature, both gear and the bolted routes. The best multipitch in the area is found on Barks Canyon Wall with several really nice moderate routes.

Getting There

The Superstitions sit just north of highway 60 as it heads east from Phoenix, to Globe. Climbing in the area mainly starts out either from Lost Dutchman State Park just off highway 88 (the Apache Trail) or from the Peralta Trailhead, accessed off highway 60 (watch for sign) via a 7 mile dirt road.

The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Superstition Mountains:

Razor's Edge 5.6 Trad, 3 pitches, 250 feet Northwest Pinnacles : The Hand

Spider Walk 5.7 Trad, 4 pitches, 550 feet Suction Gully

De Grazia 5.7 Trad, 5 pitches, 400 feet, Grade III Southern Superstition Forma... : Carney Springs Wall

The Long Lead 5.8 Trad, 3 pitches, 300 feet, Grade III Bark Canyon Wall

Grandfather Hobgoblin 5.9 Trad, 4 pitches, 300 feet, Grade III Hobgoblin Spires

Featured Route For Superstition Mountains

Tone of a Bell 5.9+ AZ : Superstition Mountains : Zonerland

Long and awesome. First half is somewhat thin. First crux lies in a left-angling traverse after 3rd bolt to a rest ledge. Feels a bit scary. Second crux comes almost directly after this ledge on some suddenly muy vertical rock. Small pockets for fingers but very thin for feet. Pull through and cruise to the top. Rap off. Jump up and down and give your belayer a cupcake for good measure. ...[more] Browse More Classics in AZ

Photos of Superstition Mountains

Slideshow

Add Photo

Sunset on top of the Acropolis Via S/E Ridge	Superstitions-posterized. Photo by Blitzo.	Weavers Needle, the classic view from Fremont Sadd...
Sunset over Superstition Mountains. February 2003.	Superstition Mountains, AZ	Caught this great sunset hiking out of the Supersi...
Maybe clouds from heaven... January 2008	Sunset viewed from the Needle - March 2008.	Rescue at Fremont Saddle.
Bouldering in the Superstition Mountains, photo: B...	Crested saguaro, E Boulder Canyon.

Home - Destinations - People - Partners - Forum - Photos - What's New
	ADVANCED