Bouldering Near Phoenix

Will be in Phoenix for a few days next month. Looking for the closest bouldering areas that are easy access and V0 to V4. Prefer low traffic but not a must. Any recommendations?

There's not really any spectacular bouldering close to Phoenix IMO. Your best bet would probably be South Mountain. About a 40 minute easy approach. You can pic up a fold out guide for a few bucks from REI or maybe AZ Hiking Shack.
If you want some higher quality rock you should consider a drive up to Flagstaff. Lots to choose from up there.
South Mt.

It kind of blows to be a boulderer in PHX. However, Camelback Mtn has the closest bouldering in town and is a worthwhile experience if you are going to be in the middle of PHX. Next would be Beardsley, witch has a few nice granite boulders. Or drive to Flagstaff.

i agree with red...its pretty much choose your choss pile! queen creek - oak flats is about an hour out of town with some good fun bouldering!

I'm with everyone else... it depends which part of Phx you're going to be in. If you are in N. Phx then Beardsley is easily accessible and kinda fun and has a few good problems. If you are going to be in S. Phx then Camelback Mtn. might be a better choice.

Queen Creek and Groom Creek are probably the "closest" farther destination bouldering options. Groom Creek is just outside of Prescott, AZ and has a really good amount of quality problems and is about 1.5 hours away. Might be getting a bit cold in Prescott though next month.

-Mac

Cool, man. Thanx. I live near some bouldering in the North Georgia mountains that is not considered "high quality", but they are great as far as I'm concerned. Camelback looks perfect for what I will be doing. I see a couple spots on pics from this site that would be enough for me while I'm there. Tallman and the route picture for competition look perfect.

Is the area basically "you can't miss it" or will I need a map or directions to find the above routes? There are no boulder routes listed on this site for Camelback that I could see.

I've bouldered a lot at both camelback and Pima Canyon (south mountain) and prefer Pima Canyon. The granite is nice and solid, at least compared to Camelback. Easy to find and the first problem you come to is a long piece of granite with a good landing. Both are fun though just that Pima Canyon is less crowded with hikers etc.

I suppose it depends on what you mean by "close." Oak Flat (Queen Creek) has excellent bouldering, but is about an hour's drive east of Phoenix.

Curt

The absolutely best bouldering you are going to get close to town would be up in the Superstition Mountains around this formation:

mountainproject.com/v/the-f…

Unfortunately, its a 45 minute uphill approach. However, it's AMAZING bouldering!

Have fun!

RJ

hal bachman wrote:Is the area basically "you can't miss it" or will I need a map or directions to find the above routes? There are no boulder routes listed on this site for Camelback that I could see.

Hal: If you find the Echo Canyon parking area (cant miss THAT with a Google search and you may have to wait in a car line to park) then head up the VERY well used trail, look off to the left for most of the areas. At the start of the trail, there is also area to the right just across from the 1st house sized boulder on your left. Look around and you'll probably see a few out there already. Have fun and watch for venomous friends!

i am out in Phoenix right now. my tendons got strained from bouldering at home so i may not climb while i am out here. we went to Superstition Mountain today and that place is absolutely breathtaking. looks like the area hike-able from the state park has tons of stellar bouldering. planning on coming back sometime, though. good call Ryan!

I am not a fan of the conglomerate at Camelback but it is good if you have a half an afternoon to kill. Queen creek is where they used to hold the Phoenix Bouldering comp and I believe there is even an old Sharma route out there. Finding your way around even with a guide can be tough, though. About an hour drive from Phoenix. South Mountain is quality and is just about in Phoenix proper