Elevation: 8,229 ft
GPS: 32.4325, -110.796
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 298,930 total · 1,933/month
Shared By: James DeRoussel on Jul 11, 2010
Admins: adrian montano, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen
Access Issue: Potentially unavailable to climbing February through July if raptors are breeding here. Details

Description

The Summit Crags, as the name implies, are located near the uppermost elevations of Mount Lemmon. They are home to some of the longest and highest quality routes in the Santa Catalinas.

The seasonal raptor nesting closures limit the season here to late summer and autumn. Be particularly aware of afternoon storms and lightning if visiting this area early in the season.

Getting There

Driving up the Catalina Highway, turn right on the road to the ski valley. Continue past the ski valley, through a gate, and down a rough paved road. Drive to the gravel parking lot on the left just before the observatory. Park here and continue on foot, up the road, following the 'trail' sign. (Stay left when you see the sign at the observatory).

164 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: 8 - Summit Crags Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at 8 - Summit Crags

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 81
Black Quacker
Trad 5 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 80
Standard Route
Trad 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 77
Bender-Axen
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 139
Steel Crazy
Sport 4 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 41
Chiboni
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 66
Fort Stress
Sport 4 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 58
El Curvo
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 35
Swing Set
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 98
Unattended Consequences
Sport
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 33
Raven Maniac
Sport
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 53
Gettin' Off The Porch
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 82
Hard Day at The Orifice
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 71
Orifice Politics
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 45
Eureka
Sport
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c
 31
Coup d'etat
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Black Quacker Rappel Rock
 81
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 5 pitches
Standard Route Rappel Rock
 80
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
Bender-Axen Rappel Rock
 77
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Steel Crazy Fortress > Southeast Face
 139
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport 4 pitches
Chiboni Rappel Rock
 41
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
Fort Stress Fortress > Southeast Face
 66
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport 4 pitches
El Curvo Ravens
 58
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
Swing Set Ravens
 35
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
Unattended Consequences Fortress > Orifice Wall
 98
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Raven Maniac Ravens
 33
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Gettin' Off The Porch Fortress > Orifice Wall
 53
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Hard Day at The Orifice Fortress > Orifice Wall
 82
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Orifice Politics Fortress > Orifice Wall
 71
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Eureka Fortress > Orifice Wall
 45
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Coup d'etat Fortress > Orifice Wall
 31
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in 8 - Summit Crags »

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

Photos