PRINT: Rock Climbing in Lake Havasu, Central Arizona

Lake Havasu

Arizona > Central Arizona

Description

Chocolate colored desert rock of fair to poor quality along Hwy 95 north of Lake Havasu City, AZ. Lots of bouldering potential, too bad the rock isn't very good. Every hold is suspect, but with cleaning and clearing of the landings it still kinda sucks. Bring crash pads, top rope (some rocks are very large) and insurance. You'll see more burros than people. It's a desert, bring water.

Getting There

You get here by going to Lake Havasu to enjoy the lake with friends instead of going on a real climbing trip. The rocks are found about six miles north of town off Hwy 95. Park in any of several pullouts nearest the rocks that look most appealing to you. Approach time is minutes to hours depending on your goal.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Ridge as seen from the highway.

Some boulders on the hill SW of the Crab Claw formation.

Just north of LHC

Photo of the Crab Claw. Easily seen from the road, this formation reportedly has routes up to 80'. Lots of large boulders around the base.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Candy Scott
Dublin, IE

Are there any rock climbing groups in this area? Jul 28, 2019

James Dixon

I was just there with my old dog so we didn't climb but I did not see any evidence of climb routs, no anchors etc. however I may not have been close enough. Has anyone set anchors ? Also is the dome just west of this formation (toward town/airport) a good climb? I have visiting climbers coming and want to zero in on these known climb sites. Dec 29, 2019

BCramer
Prescott

James, DesertRat, an active MP contributor out of Flagstaff, comment that "this area was pioneered by Tim O'Connor and the Leaping Lizard Tribe, along with many other climbing in the area in the 70's - 2000's." You might check in with him or message the folks behind the Leaping Lizards Tribe FB page facebook.com/LeapingLizardT… However, I'm not sure how active they are these days as their last post was in Feb 2019.
Havasu doesn't have a lot of info, but there could be some good, adventurous climbing - if you know where to find it!
You might consider taking your friends a few hours north to Red Rocks. Lots more classic and well documented climbing up there. Christmas Tree Pass is closer. Some good "old school" granite climbing there. Decent info here on MP.
Good luck. Dec 30, 2019

Roy Suggett

Long march to reach the vantage point to take the above shot. To my dismay there appears to be cairns atop both. There is an even bigger and better tower behind these. I see the comment regarding Tim O. Anybody know anything about these? Some hard asses had to put a lot time and energy into these projects.
(Edit a few days later) I now believe these are in an area know as "The Needles") Jan 15, 2020

DesertRat
Flagstaff, AZ

The Leaping Lizard Tribe is still active in the area, as a climbing club. Members range in age from 20-70. The group isn't quite as active today, as it was a number of years ago. Pretty much everything in the area was put up by members of this club though. Tim O'Connor is the president of the club.

The cairns mentioned on many of the summits that can be seen from Lake Havasu were also put up by the club, and many have registers for name records of ascents. Gold Dome, South Dome, Tumarion, Powell Peak, are all area between Crab Claw and I40. Monolith and Kong's Head are as well, and can be seen in one of the photos that someone posted for this area. Mar 25, 2021

Matt Lane
Flagstaff AZ/Washington UT

Has the Leaping Lizard Tribe recorded their ascents anywhere? I've found beta on all the aforementioned peaks DesertRat listed off, as well as Monument Peak (aka The Parker Needle), and The Balanced Rock near Lake Havasu. Very curious what the Leaping Lizard Tribe and other locals thinks about adding climbs from around here to Mountain Project. I certainly respect the wish to not record these climbs on MP if people want to keep it a secret. Mar 30, 2024