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Elevation: 8,600 ft
GPS: 32.46112, -110.78115
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 136,925 total · 709/month
Shared By: 1Eric Rhicard on May 7, 2008
Admins: adrian montaƱo, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

There are three formations here, Neptune. Aegir, and Posieden with routes on the upper and lower sections. The north facing walls are known as the red walls and tend to have steeper harder routes. This is an area that still gives me butterflys on the approach. Most of the routes are trad and it takes a long run out with something to hit on the way down before it gets an R. Many of the routes would be considered at least PG-13 these days. This place has seen two fatalities so you need to be careful. Some of the climbs are fantastic and the views are spectacular. You will rarely find others climbing at the Reef due to it's intimidating nature. So if it is adventure you want it is worth a visit. Best time to climb here is May to October. It can be dicey in July and August due to the summer thunderstorms so an early start is a good idea. As for dogs, people take them but they need to be sure footed as a mistake can be bad. My dog took a 30 footer and was fortunate enough to escape with some scrapes and bruises. It did ruin the day for the four of us and we all headed home early.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive to the ski area on mMt. Lemmon. Continue past the parking area through a usually open gate and park at or just past the left hand hairpin turn. It is less than a quarter mile past the ski area parking. At the lower end of the guardrail follow trail down the ridge for 20 minutes or until the trail begins to switchback. Most folks stash packs and rack up at this point. Follow the switch backs down the N. side of Neptune which will be on your left. Descend until possible to get on a large ledge that leads (short scary third class section) around to the west side of the formation. This ledge divides the formations into upper and lower faces. To reach the lower faces drop down one of the gullies or rap from something. It might take more than one rope.

86 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Reef of Rocks Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Reef of Rocks

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b R
 10
Shanashee
Trad 2 pitches
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 70
Rapture of the Steep
Trad 2 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 23
Odyssey
Trad 4 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 36
Naranja
Trad 3 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 29
Reef Break
Trad 3 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 15
Ma'adim
Trad 4 pitches
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 36
Clip Tide
Sport
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 18
Trident
Sport 3 pitches
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 10
Supreme Seaweed Superhighway
Sport 3 pitches
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 5
Along The Ley Line
Trad 4 pitches
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 5
Rogue Planet
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 27
Crankbugs
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 15
Red Tide
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 5
Jitterbugs
Sport
5.13c/d 8b 31 X 31 E8 7a
 6
Doubt
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Shanashee Neptune
 10
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b R Trad 2 pitches
Rapture of the Steep Neptune
 70
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Odyssey Poseidon
 23
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad 4 pitches
Naranja Neptune
 36
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 3 pitches
Reef Break Aegir
 29
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 3 pitches
Ma'adim Neptune
 15
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad 4 pitches
Clip Tide Neptune
 36
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Trident Aegir
 18
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport 3 pitches
Supreme Seaweed Superhighway Poseidon
 10
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport 3 pitches
Along The Ley Line Poseidon
 5
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Trad 4 pitches
Rogue Planet Aegir
 5
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Crankbugs Aegir
 27
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Red Tide Neptune
 15
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Jitterbugs Aegir
 5
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Doubt Aegir
 6
5.13c/d 8b 31 X 31 E8 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Reef of Rocks »

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