Elevation: 4,500 ft
GPS: 34.819, -111.793 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 49,671 total · 321/month
Shared By: Orphaned on Mar 22, 2006
Admins: Luke Bertelsen, JJ Schlick, Greg Opland
Getting weather forecast...

Description

Cathedral Rocks area includes the famous Mace as well as some other great routes, located in the complex of mesas and towers just west of 179 from Back O' Beyond Road.

Getting There

Turn west on Back O' Beyond Road from 179 and drive to the trailhead (south side) near it's end.

20 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Cathedral Rock Area Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Cathedral Rock Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 227
● Original Route
Trad 5 pitches
Mace
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a R
 10
● South Face
Trad 2 pitches
Dodger
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 25
● Andy Kaufman Crack
Trad
N Mesa
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 4
● The Stage
Trad 2 pitches
N Mesa
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 3
● Rappel Route
TR 2 pitches
Mace
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 30
● Vortex in a Can
Trad 3 pitches
S Mesa
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 24
● Rusty Cage
Trad
N Mesa
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 13
● The Pirate
Trad 3 pitches
Middle Mesa
5.11- 6c 22 VIII+ 22 E3 5c R
 6
● Fat Bastard
Trad
N Mesa
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 7
● Freedom
Trad 3 pitches
S Mesa
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13
 11
● 1999
Trad
N Mesa
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R
 3
● Enter the Vortex
Trad 3 pitches
Dodger
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Original Route Mace
 227
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 5 pitches
● South Face Dodger
 10
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a R Trad 2 pitches
● Andy Kaufman Crack N Mesa
 25
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
● The Stage N Mesa
 4
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
● Rappel Route Mace
 3
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b TR 2 pitches
● Vortex in a Can S Mesa
 30
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 3 pitches
● Rusty Cage N Mesa
 24
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
● The Pirate Middle Mesa
 13
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 3 pitches
● Fat Bastard N Mesa
 6
5.11- 6c 22 VIII+ 22 E3 5c R Trad
● Freedom S Mesa
 7
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 3 pitches
● 1999 N Mesa
 11
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13 Trad
● Enter the Vortex Dodger
 3
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R Trad 3 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Cathedral Rock Area »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
 Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Add New Photo
Photo Photo (copy)
Photos

Sunset behind Cathedral Rocks.
Sunset behind Cathedral Rocks.
 21
Beautiful Cathedral Rocks
Beautiful Cathedral Rocks
 5
another beautiful cathedral rock sunset
another beautiful cathedral rock sunset
 2
Cathedral Rock from near the site of the old Baldwin's Crossing. Yes, we used to be able to drive from Sedona to Village of Oak Creek through here but it is now a state park.
Cathedral Rock from near the site of the old Ba…
 2
Petroglyphs on the north side of the North Mesa
Petroglyphs on the north side of the North Mesa
 1
View of the cathedral summits from the top of South Mesa - L.Coats photo.
View of the cathedral summits from the top of S…
 0
Overview from parking area.
Overview from parking area.
 0
Stunning gap between Middle Mesa and The Mace from the approach.
Stunning gap between Middle Mesa and The Mace f…
 0
The Mace is on the left.
The Mace is on the left.
 0
Climbing the softest sandstone in Sedonaat Cathedral Rocks !
Climbing the softest sandstone in Sedonaat Cath…
 0
Climbing at Cathedral Rock.<br>
Climbing at Cathedral Rock.
 0
The crack on the west side of the North Mesa. Great scrambling fun! 10/27/07
The crack on the west side of the North Mesa.…
 0

3 Comments

Sort by: Oldest
Newest Oldest Best Beta
Richard Fernandez
Flagstaff, AZ
Richard Fernandez   Flagstaff, AZ
Did the Mace on Sunday, Feb 1st. Last pitch is a blast, one of the best pitches I've done in a while. Although I found it a bit harder than 5.9+, more like a 5.10b. Physically demanding route you'll use every part of your body on. Great top out. We opted out of the lean/jump pitch because of 40+ mph winds. Long pants and shirts are useful for the full body jams! Have fun! Feb 2, 2009
Kevin Kent
Flagstaff, AZ
Kevin Kent   Flagstaff, AZ
What are the names of the small tower/fins between South Mesa and Middle Mesa?
Also what is the name of this tower which is attached at the bottom to South Mesa?
Looking down at The Dodge from near the summit of South Mesa.
Dec 7, 2015
Nickc Diaz
Nickc Diaz  
Need a climbing partner Feb 5 or 6. Message me! Jan 7, 2018