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The Mine Area

Submitted By: Orphaned on Jan 30, 2006
Administrators: Greg Opland, James DeRoussel
Elevation: 4,000 feet
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Potential Access Issue: Resolution Copper Company MORE INFO >>>

a 5.11 near Moonfloss in upper Looner.


Description 

The Mine Area was one of the first to be developed for sport climbing out at Queen Creek. Routes are sort of a mixed bag from pocketed to edgey. There are lots of moderates around the Mine Area which makes it popular for climbers.

The general Mine Area consists of a few different clusters of formations with the main areas being Upper Looner Land, Lower Looner Land, The Magma Gardens, The Arena, and Apache Leap.


Getting There 

Drive up the road out of Superior, go through the tunnel for another mile and a half to a sign that marks the turnoff to Oak Flat Campground. Turn right and follow this paved road as it weaves up to the Magma Mine (probably some other name nowadays). About a hundred yards short of the actual mine entrance on the left, there's a small parking lot just off the road.

To get to the Mine Area, hike the dirt road that heads generally south out of the parking lot. This will go south and then curve back to the west. Continue west up the wash and that will put you in Lower Looner Land. Upper Looner Land is basically a few hundred yards west and a bit north of the westernmost Lower Looner formations.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Mine Area:
Snorkeling in the Rhyolite   5.5     Sport, 1 pitch   Lower Looner Land
Roto Evaporator   5.10a PG13     Sport, 1 pitch, 45 feet   The Magma Gardens
My First Nut   5.10a PG13     Sport, 1 pitch, 25 feet   The Magma Gardens
Rancid   5.10a/b     Sport, 1 pitch, 30 feet   The Magma Gardens
Pissant Prairie Punk   5.11b     Sport, 1 pitch, 45 feet   The Magma Gardens
James Addiction   5.12a     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Upper Looner Land
Browse More Classics in The Mine Area

Photos of The Mine Area Slideshow Add Photo
New gate and no trespassing sign at The Mine Area. The parking area as we knew it is no longer. However there is ROAD SIDE parking and hiking/climbing access (I've read this is courtesy of the Resolution Copper Company).

BETA PHOTO: New gate and no trespassing sign at The Mine Area....