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All Locations > Arizona > Central Arizona

Isolation Canyon Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Isolation Canyon

Finktion Wall 8 / 16 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 24
Garlands, The 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Main Wall - Center 23 / 9 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 31
Main Wall - North 16 / 10 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 24
Main Wall - South 9 / 12 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 22
Oz Buttress 3 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5
Politricks Wall 5 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5
Spaghetti Western Wall 7 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 14
Winter Wall 8 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 9
Zone-tail Buttress 2 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5
Elevation: 5,186 ft
GPS: 34.361, -111.45 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 82,123 total · 540/month
Shared By: manuel rangel on Apr 16, 2006
Admins: Luke Bertelsen, JJ Schlick, Greg Opland

Description

Beautiful quartzite crag just outside Pine, AZ. Routes ranging from 40ft to 300ft. 5easy-5.12.

Getting There

From Pine, Arizona drive south of town, just past Bradshaw Drive to Pine Trailhead. A large paved parking area puts you on the Arizona Trail. Head southwest and downhill for several minutes. As you reach the gate and ranch (on your right), look for climber's trail heading left at the base of the hill.

Another option is to drive from the clearing south of Pine Trailhead along Old County Road to near the original parking area. Park near here.

As you arrive at Pine Creek along the climbers' trail, look for the trail which rises sharply on the south side of the creek bed, just before the rock becomes an impassable cliff. Follow this trail up on over the hill as it meanders along a dry gully (usually) and across the flat top for a while. Eventually the trail takes you down to the walls.

139 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Isolation Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 69
● Green Lantern
Sport
Main Wall - North
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 64
● Everything's Gone Green
Trad
Main Wall - Center
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 35
● Doubts Even Here
Trad
Main Wall - Center
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 37
● Mellow Yellow
Sport
Main Wall - South
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 45
● Slate's Day Off
Sport
Main Wall - Center
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 40
● Walking Dead Arete
Trad
Main Wall - Center
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 40
● Kestrel's Last Stand
Sport
Main Wall - South
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 55
● Life By The Drop
Sport
Main Wall - North
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 45
● Angel Wing
Sport 3 pitches
Main Wall - South
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 46
● Great Race
Sport
Main Wall - Center
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 34
● Spinous Process
Sport
Main Wall - North
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 30
● Stellar Arete
Sport
Main Wall - South
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 52
● Vitamin M
Sport
Main Wall - Center
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 39
● No White Flag
Sport
Main Wall - Center
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 25
● The Proposal
Trad
Main Wall - Center
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Green Lantern Main Wall - North
 69
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
● Everything's Gone Green Main Wall - Center
 64
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Doubts Even Here Main Wall - Center
 35
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Mellow Yellow Main Wall - South
 37
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
● Slate's Day Off Main Wall - Center
 45
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
● Walking Dead Arete Main Wall - Center
 40
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
● Kestrel's Last Stand Main Wall - South
 40
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
● Life By The Drop Main Wall - North
 55
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
● Angel Wing Main Wall - South
 45
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport 3 pitches
● Great Race Main Wall - Center
 46
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
● Spinous Process Main Wall - North
 34
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Stellar Arete Main Wall - South
 30
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Vitamin M Main Wall - Center
 52
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
● No White Flag Main Wall - Center
 39
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● The Proposal Main Wall - Center
 25
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
More Classic Climbs in Isolation Canyon »

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Photos

Holding on for dear life- hands numb and soaking wet- waiting for a snow storm to let up!!!! What a treat this visit to ISO was!!!!
Holding on for dear life- hands numb and soakin…
 10
The wall
The wall
 8
#4 on Remission 5.9R, it has a couple of long runouts in the wide spots. Fun route if you don't mind chimnneys.
#4 on Remission 5.9R, it has a couple of long r…
 4
Looking north from Isolation Canyon's Main Wall to Pine, AZ.
Looking north from Isolation Canyon's Main Wall…
 1
Park at Pine Trailhead just south of Pine, Az. Alternate and closer parking is by going south of Pine near Mile Post 266-ish and turning west/south near the Horse Crossing sign on a Cattle Guard gate. Turn right on a dirt road that ends at a junction about a quarter mile. Park and walk down the road and you will pass the old gate/parking area and ranch. As you reach the ranch look for the Isolation trail heading southerly towards the cliffs.
Park at Pine Trailhead just south of Pine, Az.…
 1
Multi-pitch
Multi-pitch
 1
Gail and I walked along the canyon bottom to the Narrows and climbed up above the waterfall on Checkerboard (5.6).
Gail and I walked along the canyon bottom to th…
 1
Gray Thompson climbing the second pitch of M&M Dihedral at the bottom of the canyon.
Gray Thompson climbing the second pitch of M&M…
 1
This is the alternate approach for parking at Isolation. You can also park at Pine Trailhead and walk by the old parking area.
This is the alternate approach for parking at I…
 0
Long approach, but so worth it.
Long approach, but so worth it.
 0
Jess stopping for a shot on some sweet bolted line.
Jess stopping for a shot on some sweet bolted l…
 0
Moderate trad line. Gotta love "No Hands" gear placements in an amazing and beautiful spot. Thanks to the Developers that keep putting up fantastic lines for me.
Moderate trad line. Gotta love "No Hands" gear…
 0

41 Comments

Sort by: Oldest
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eMurdock
Tucson, Arizona
eMurdock   Tucson, Arizona
Mark: what's the point of posting it if it is "show and tell only". You don't put a beer in front of a recovering alcoholic. By the way, Paola gave me your info and I'll give you a call when I get to flag. Cheers, Erik. Apr 16, 2006
markguycan
flagstaff, AZ
markguycan   flagstaff, AZ
The point of "show and tell only" is that we don't mind sharing this area but we want to be discreet because we don't want to see it grid bolted. Post me, or other informed users if you want to go and we'll take you out there. Apr 24, 2006
Anthony Stout
Albuquerque, NM
Anthony Stout   Albuquerque, NM  
Do you have a general vicinity? i.e. northern, central, or southern Arizona. Knowing that might make me consider if it is worth contacting you for a trip there (i.e. how far is it from Albuquerque, or northeastern Arizona.) May 1, 2006
Brad Brandewie
Brad Brandewie  
As posted other places on the Internet...

Pine Canyon... near Strawberry, AZ Jan 15, 2007
Jimbo
Jimbo  
So, whens the "show and tell only" going to go away???
Looks like there's 70 plus routes there already.
The words out, no grid bolting, or bolting cracks. We hear and obey.
Hell, I climb with a guide book author and even though he has a financial interest in not posting topos he still does.
Lighten up and post a topo already!! Apr 4, 2007
phil broscovak
phil broscovak  
Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am! I got to have a personal tour of this really cool place by Manny. Now it isn't often that an old crag rat such as myself gets too worked up over new crags but I have to say I was absolutely enchanted by Isolation Canyon. This area will inevitably end up a "destination location". The rock is fantastic beautiful stone. Manny and his friends have worked tirelessly to establish trails and routes of the highest quality. Please respect not only their efforts but the area as well. BE AWARE OF AND SENSITIVE TO THE WILDLIFE! This is after all their home we just visit. If you run across Manny or any of the locals buy them a beer they deserve it! Manny Thanx for the tour believe me I will return. Apr 11, 2007
Linda White
maricopa, AZ
Linda White   maricopa, AZ
WOW, don't let anyone tell you the mountain doesn't get hot.
Yesterday, over 100f. It was a tough hike out from the main wall.
Bring lots of water.
Love the rock at Iso. Jun 21, 2007
Laurel Arndt
Phoenix
Laurel Arndt   Phoenix
Went to Iso again this week, and as alway totally alone. In the last two weeks have done Manny's classics Angel Wing, Walking Dead Arete, La vida Loca and Everything Gone Green and Gone Grey, even got on War Hippies third pitch sweet......first time to see a critter. Mike enconter a small rattler on a ledge as we rapped. Best time to arrived this time of year 9:30am. Corner climbs in shade while rest of wall cooling off.
Highly recomment Spinous Process and Allez Lou for a mix of trad and sport fun.... Aug 16, 2007
Jimbo
Jimbo  
Been here twice now. Still can't figure out where everything is from the info on MP.
The climbing is very good, however.
Thanks for the great stuff you guys, I will be back again and again.

One comment, no one who would want to "grid bolt" this place will ever do it. It's to hard to get on top of these climbs and rap bolt them. This always filters out 90% of the wood be bosch-ers.
I really think your concerns about this are now unfounded. Time to post an overview with all routes listed in order.
Save us Isolation Canyon enthusiasts a head ache would ya!!

Cheers, Nov 2, 2007
Braxtron
...
Braxtron   ...
How about unveiling the location of this crag to the masses? Jan 29, 2008
markguycan
flagstaff, AZ
markguycan   flagstaff, AZ
Manny is putting together a guide, it's a bit complicated to find the area/ routes on you own; therefore: go with someone who's already been or wait for the guide or take your chances with the info available on MP. Apr 3, 2008
Robin like the bird
mountain center ,CA
Robin like the bird   mountain center ,CA
I fully support the show and tell ethic. it reminds me of the stories i have heard of other climbing area in AZ like Granite Mt and Paradise forks. Lovejoy has told me stories of the early days of GM and how only few people where climbing there and how it keep the mountain quiet and peacefully. Stay strong and keep your climbing areas as secrets as you want, because once the circus arrives in town the fun will be over. Aug 7, 2008
Brad Brandewie
Brad Brandewie  
If one wants to keep an area secret, perhaps one should refrain from posting the area on the Internet in the first place. Aug 7, 2008
Arthur Sullivan
Albuquerque,NM
Arthur Sullivan   Albuquerque,NM
There's a somewhat detailed description of the hike in on the internet. Just takes a search engine and a little patience to find it. Jan 13, 2009
markguycan
flagstaff, AZ
markguycan   flagstaff, AZ
rattlers are out, saw two last week. be careful! Aug 29, 2009
Larry
SoAZ
Larry   SoAZ
How long must we wait to find out where this is? Mar 5, 2010
Neill Prohaska
Tucson, AZ
Neill Prohaska   Tucson, AZ
toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/… May 2, 2010
roman d
Pasadena, CA
roman d   Pasadena, CA
The exploration is half (or more) of the fun! Anyone who wants to find this place will figure it out after a few trips. Oct 21, 2010
JMo
Tucson, AZ
JMo   Tucson, AZ
as far as finding your way out there being fun, i gotta concur with roman. today we headed out there to climb main wall and decided to be in the sun instead. the sunny climbs are much fun. especially if you are on-sighting with no guide, just route names someone has written on wooden sticks and wedged in the cracks at the base of the climbs. it was fun looking around, reading the sticks, guessing at the grade, and the routes are well bolted... Nov 14, 2010
JJ Schlick
Flagstaff, AZ
JJ Schlick   Flagstaff, AZ  
Howdy ya'll, I have been sorting routes in order, and changing up the boundaries of the walls to be congruent with Manny's new guide. The routes for the Main Wall North and Center are now in proper order as you go down the wall. Though not every route has been entered here on MP. Hope this helps make more sense of the place for those of us who don't know it all that well yet. A big thanks to Manny for the info, and all his hard work there. The new guide looks very well done, and I can't wait to feel the heft of it in book form. Jul 16, 2011
ClimbPHX.com
Mesa AZ
ClimbPHX.com   Mesa AZ
I wanted to announce that I am working with Manny and we will be launching the website shortly for the new guidebook atisolationcanyon.com. It will have some content and we will be happy to showcase pictures that you have from your visits.
Feel free to backlink our site in your Facebook posts so that we can build SEO - Thanks!

Shiloh
CLimbPHX.com Jan 13, 2012
Geir
Tucson, AZ
Geir   Tucson, AZ
Congrats to Manny for getting the guide out for Iso!!! I already got my copy and can't wait to read it cover to cover. Jan 13, 2012
Mike
Phoenix
Mike   Phoenix
Mark I'm not sure about PRG, but I know they have them in stock at the Arizona Hiking Shack. Jan 24, 2012
ClimbPHX.com
Mesa AZ
ClimbPHX.com   Mesa AZ
Yes the book has approach beta - PM me if your still looking for
one.
Shiloh@ClimbPHX.com Jan 30, 2012
Cornelius Jefferson
Cornelius Jefferson  
so in other words its 'show and tell only'...unless there's money to be made from a guidebook?

i think that speaks for itself. Apr 2, 2012
Christian
Casa do Cacete
Christian   Casa do Cacete
Net of expenses (printing, retailer's markup,etc...)how much can he be making off this guidebook per hour invested? $3 an hour?

What's left over is probably not even enough to cover the cost of the bolts he put up.

Sheesh... Apr 4, 2012
Tim Heid
AZ
Tim Heid   AZ
It can get pretty hot out there anywhere in the sun.

There is shade all day at the base of Shadow Play on the Main Wall - North. The rest of the Main Wall goes into shade around 1:00pm this time of year. Apr 25, 2012
cragbum5
cragbum5  
Random question. I got suckered into driving because my car is the most fuel efficient out of my group of friends. Is my Honda accord going to safely make it? I took it to Jack's and was worried because the wrong turn off was taken and things got bad and I just don't want to destroy my car Apr 19, 2013
Tim Heid
AZ
Tim Heid   AZ
I haven't been to Iso in awhile, but in the past we've always taken a car and been fine. We usually park at a small open area on the right of the road, 200 yards or so shy of where the high clearance vehicles park. Unless the road conditions have dramatically changed, you'll have no issues. Apr 19, 2013
Eric D
Gnarnia
Eric D   Gnarnia
I climbed here for the first time last weekend. It is some of the best rock in Arizona. Really cool climbing.

Manny, I do recommend that the guidebook ratings get adjusted in the next edition. We found them to be on average one or two full letter grades soft compared to the rest of Arizona. May 1, 2013
manuel rangel
Arizona
manuel rangel   Arizona
Eric, thanks for the feedback. Ratings should evolve and I'll keep your comment in mind next edition.

Ratings are subjective and they reflect my feelings on it when I did the FA (except for Proposal, that was Lisa Stern and Jon Apprill).

On a second note, people keep removing rocks from the trail. Please leave them alone. They control erosion.

Someone cut a new trail as it nearly reaches the main wall ledge. Please keep to the path. It may be a bit hard to follow but do not bust out and create more erosion. Jun 25, 2013
MikeyBoyAz
Mesa
MikeyBoyAz   Mesa
Had an enjoiable climb for the first time at Isolation back on Sep 1 with my Bro in-Law. Getting in was quite the experience, but once we found the routes we were looking for it was a great experience. Getting out took a fraction of the time as getting orientated. Next time it will be a pinch easier :D Oct 1, 2013
mark Hofmeister
Flagstaff,Az
mark Hofmeister   Flagstaff,Az
Thank you for whoever put this area together and established it! This is an amazing crag in a cool town!! The lines I have been on so far have all been worth climbing and doing again! Im heading back to Iso this weekend hope to see folks out there pulling hard! Nov 8, 2013
manuel rangel
Arizona
manuel rangel   Arizona
That Brewery is a great place to chill after a day in Isolation or while driving home from Jacks Canyon.

Good food and great beer. Jul 20, 2014
Donovan Allen
Soft Lake City
Donovan Allen   Soft Lake City
TO WHOEVER SHIT AT THE BASE OF FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN- go clean your shit up. Get a bag do something with it. I don't care if it was an emergency. please respect ISO and also trad routes... Just cause bolts aren't on it doesn't mean it's not a route. - Don Feb 9, 2015
manuel rangel
Arizona
manuel rangel   Arizona
Just posted a photo of the changed parking for Isolation. Easiest of all is to park at Pine Trailhead and walk southwesterly on the Arizona Trail to the meeting with the climbers trail. You could also turn right after crossing the cattle guard (south/west side of road) near the horse crossing sign on Hwy 87 (about Mile Post 266.2) and drive down this dirt road til it meets the Old County Highway and park. It is a bit shorter walk. Sep 27, 2015
walmongr
Gilbert AZ
walmongr   Gilbert AZ
What a fun place!! Rock is way better then it looks from the approach trail. Grades are a little soft compared to some other areas but who cares its fun! The bolts seam very thought out and where they need to be.. Great work by the FA's equipping these line... Definitely an AZ gem... Will be back for sure! Aug 26, 2016
Walshie
Flagstaff. AZ
Walshie   Flagstaff. AZ
Does anyone know if this area is now closed? May 25, 2018
Cory Richardson
Roosevelt, AZ
Cory Richardson   Roosevelt, AZ
Isolation Canyon is now open, as the fire closures have been lifted! See the press release available here: fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/ne… May 31, 2018
Kyle Murphy
Kyle Murphy  
Where is the best place to camp for this area...we will be heading out there tomorrow morning for 2 days. Sep 28, 2018
manuel rangel
Arizona
manuel rangel   Arizona
Kyle Murphy drive along Old County Road / power line road that's on the photo with the alternate parking and approach. Good spot just off the highway. Sep 28, 2018

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