Upper Highway  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  8,000' Page Views:  117,036. Good page?    Administrators:  Kristine Hoffman, Greg Opland, James DeRoussel, JJ Schlick, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  James DeRoussel on Jul 12, 2010 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 99° | 66° 99° | 66° 95° | 64° 95° | 61° 91° | 63°

A shot of Mt. Bigelow through the Rime Ice covered...

Description 

The Upper Highway area covers crags and climbs from Palisades Ranger Station (milepost 19.4) on up to the top if the mountain. It includes areas near the summit, but accessed by means other than the Summit Crags.

This section of the mountain will likely be very cold, or under snow, in winter months. Seasonal closures for raptor nesting in some areas further shorten the climbing season here. But when access is open and weather permits, the Upper Mountain offers some of the longest and most committing routes on the mountain.

Upper Highway is not included as a chapter in Squeezing the Lemmon II, but will be consistent with Eric's new guide when it is published.

Getting There 

Catalina Highway

The Classics

Featured Route For Upper Highway

Jaws 5.8  AZ : Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalin... : ... : Neptune

While this route only checks in at a mere 5.8, you'll find it to be a worthy outing if you enjoy clean wide cracks. The grade doesn't reflect the nature of the climbing - it feels BIG in every sense of the word.Belay on a good ledge at the base of the offwidth which is about 70' off the deck (gear: chockstone, two .75's which may be tricky to find, and/or #5 Friend.) There are two ways to get to this point: either climb directly up (5.11), or traverse in from the left (5.7+).The first 1/3 ...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ

Photos of Upper Highway Slideshow

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Bouldering by the stream...upper mountain	Greg, after the crux of Biosfear. If you also do ...	Bouldery start on this cool gear lead. "C"