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Church Spires Area Rock Climbing
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| Elevation: | 4,200 ft | 1,280 m |
| GPS: |
34.83254, -111.76932 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 112,909 total · 495/month | |
| Shared By: | JJ Schlick on Mar 22, 2006 | |
| Admins: | Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen |
Description
The Church Spires Area is one of Sedona's better cragging venues, with a number of fine areas and some truly classic pitches. The climbing is spread out across the Twin Buttes area around the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and then, of course, on the spires themselves.
Formations and areas include The Church Wall, The Religion Wall, Streaker Spire, The Watchtower, North Tower, Christianity (aka Beckey) Spire, Minister and the Pulpit, and The Trundler's Club Buttress.
Formations and areas include The Church Wall, The Religion Wall, Streaker Spire, The Watchtower, North Tower, Christianity (aka Beckey) Spire, Minister and the Pulpit, and The Trundler's Club Buttress.
Getting There
This place has everything... except parking. Arrive early for best results.
Turn off Highway 179 onto Chapel Road heading east. Before reaching the gate and Chapel of the Holy Cross parking area, park in a pullout on the north side of the road. Walk through the chapel parking area and pick up a climbers trail on the eastern edge of the parking area.
Follow the climbers trail about 1/4 mile until it intersects with a wide, well maintained mountain bike trail. Follow the bike trail for another 50 to 100 yards until you are below the large roof that marks Castles in the Sand. At this point look for a wash to your left that cuts straight up towards the cliff. At the top of this wash there is a short 4th class cliff to scramble up. Once on top of this cliff walk to the right end and pick-up the trail again. From this point the trail heads more or less straight up to the cliff base. The Religion Wall is to the right of the Watchtower and the Church Wall is to the left.
This approach takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
Turn off Highway 179 onto Chapel Road heading east. Before reaching the gate and Chapel of the Holy Cross parking area, park in a pullout on the north side of the road. Walk through the chapel parking area and pick up a climbers trail on the eastern edge of the parking area.
Follow the climbers trail about 1/4 mile until it intersects with a wide, well maintained mountain bike trail. Follow the bike trail for another 50 to 100 yards until you are below the large roof that marks Castles in the Sand. At this point look for a wash to your left that cuts straight up towards the cliff. At the top of this wash there is a short 4th class cliff to scramble up. Once on top of this cliff walk to the right end and pick-up the trail again. From this point the trail heads more or less straight up to the cliff base. The Religion Wall is to the right of the Watchtower and the Church Wall is to the left.
This approach takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
Classic Climbing Routes at Church Spires Area
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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