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Elevation: 1,079 ft
GPS: 33.4314, -112.07148
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Shared By: RyanJames on Jan 23, 2012
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

The Central Arizona Areas Suggest change

Central Arizona is a rugged, barren, arid, and inhospitable landscape. When most people think of central Arizona, they think of the sprawling metropolis of Phoenix and the emblematic Saguaro. People also think of the searing temperatures, piss-warm backyard pools, and the heinous back sweat of every insignificant car ride. Nevertheless, hidden away are back country gems - lush, water-filled canyons, shady forests, and hundreds of miles of pristine, bountiful cliff lines. To the intrepid adventurer: There is no lack of opportunity here.

The Central Arizona area encompasses the low desert of Arizona, which heats up like an oven during the summer, and several national forests Prescott, Tonto, and Apache whose cliff faces are climbable on even the most sweltering summer days. Within this central portion of the state, there are three main hotspots: the Prescott area, the Payson area, and the Phoenix area, each with its own distinct flavor.

The Prescott areas include the picturesque lakeside cliffs of Watson Dells Lake and the historic and towering granite cliffs of Granite Mountain. If smaller rocks strike your fancy, then thousands of erratically strewn granite boulders litter the forests and hills, awaiting your enjoyment. Climbing in and around Prescott is possible almost year round.

The Payson area also offers its share of quality climbs. Isolation Canyon hosts an incredible concentration of classics, and the East Verde and the Anchas are otherworldly oases that provide a perfect breather from the summertime roast of the Phoenix Valley.

And lastly there is the Phoenix area. There are several crags within city limits. Pinnacle Peak and the McDowell Mountains are great winter traditional climbing destinations that make for highly enjoyable day trips. East of the city are the Superstition Mountains, the contested Queen Creek Canyon, and an indescribable amount of other backcountry diamonds. Enduring classics hide in these mountains and offer all the finger-shredding fun you could want. Many of these areas are also climbable most days of the year. While central Arizona is not a world-class climbing destination, world-class climbs are abundant, making central Arizona the perfect prospect for those seeking to stake their vertical claim. Come get yours!

Getting There Suggest change

Most of the central Arizona areas are within a two and half hour radius of Phoenix. Standard cars can access many areas, but many require full-blown four-wheel drive, high clearance, and a willingness to succumb to the Arizona pinstripe.”

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Classic Climbing Routes at Central Arizona

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V0+ 4+
 118
The Wave
Boulder
V4 6B
 71
Facelift
Boulder
V6 7A
 72
Moonstone
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 193
Hanging Gardens
Trad 2 pitches
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 130
The Classic
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 107
Magnolia Thunderpussy
Trad 3 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 363
Pocket Puzzle
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 65
Candyland
Trad 5 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 74
Pathological Optimist
Trad, Sport
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 163
The Totem Pole
Sport 2 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 77
Vitamin M
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 77
Tufa-one
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 102
Tufa Yard Dash
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 75
Micro Burst
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 92
Cold Fusion
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Wave *Prescott Area > … > Main Boulders > Wave Area
 118
V0+ 4+ Boulder
Facelift *Prescott Area > … > Satellite Areas > Island (Facelift Area)
 71
V4 6B Boulder
Moonstone *Prescott Area > … > Main Boulders > Moonstone, Leg Lock R…
 72
V6 7A Boulder
Hanging Gardens *Phoenix Areas > McDowell Mountains > Gardener's Wall
 193
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 2 pitches
The Classic *Prescott Area > Granite Mountain > Middle Section
 130
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 3 pitches
Magnolia Thunderpussy *Prescott Area > Granite Mountain > Middle Section
 107
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 3 pitches
Pocket Puzzle Queen Creek Canyon > Pond
 363
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Candyland *Prescott Area > Granite Mountain > Middle Section
 65
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 5 pitches
Pathological Optimist Queen Creek Canyon > Lower Devil's C… > Totem-Proto Area
 74
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad, Sport
The Totem Pole Queen Creek Canyon > Lower Devil's C… > Totem-Proto Area
 163
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport 2 pitches
Vitamin M Isolation Canyon > Main Wall - Center
 77
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Tufa-one Homestead > Tufa City
 77
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Tufa Yard Dash Homestead > Tufa City
 102
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Micro Burst Homestead > Tufa City
 75
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Cold Fusion Homestead > Rough Rider Zone > Rough Rider Wall
 92
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
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