My son and I will are new rock climbers, (he has lead some shorter sport 5.5 - 5.7 routes). We are looking for some for single pitch sport 5.5 - 5.8(?) routes in the Mt Lemmon area. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks
Scott and Todd

Depending on how long you're visiting, these areas would be your best bets for day outings: Prison Camp area - specifically the Alcatraz Wall (check under Jailhouse Rock area), Boot Hill, Ridgeline (if it's not still cold), and possibly Rivendale.

seems like the gumby wall would be perfect but it might be too cold this time of year.

I had considered that but remembered this:

http://www.accessfund.org/access/index.php

Gumby wall is part of Barnum rock...closed 1 Feb - 31 Aug.

Munchkinland.

thanks much for the help!
Scott and Todd

The Alcatraz wall routes may be of questionable quality, but doable.

The "Towers" area at munchkinland is a great bet for high quality 5.4-5.9, not sure how cold it will be this month though, maybe aggreable. Munchkinland has a nice hike in. The lake parking may be closed though, so you will have to walk on the road, or go to the "secret" parking, I think directions are in SQII and on this website.

The practice wall at Windy point has plenty of top ropes in that range as I understand.

I actually found the 5.7-5.8 boot hill routes next to the green monster crack to be quite fun for the grade, you can definitely make a day there, one again, not too sure about the weather, but it may be really nice. That would probably be my vote if you can lead solid 5.7/8. The hike in is a bit steep.

I found the rivendale routes to be a bit stiff for 5.8/9, but that's just the kind of climbing I am not good at. If you like, slightly low angle thin face in that range, you will love rivendale. It has a really nice setting with the sandy base. The hike in can be tricky; take you time to find the trail early on and you should be fine. With all the snow-melt, there may be some water at the base though.