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Sisyphus Pinnacles

Arizona > Central Arizona > *Phoenix Areas > Superstition Mountains
Warning Access Issue: PLACING BOLTS IS ILLEGAL IN THE SUPERSTITION WILDERNESS! DetailsDrop down

Description

Several medium to tall spires and strange formations that when viewed from a distance look like one large jumble of stone. There are zero crowds, shade and sun depending on the route(s) and opportunities for other climbs if one enjoys loose and strange climbing. The rock quality is not great or even good but climbable and moveable (loose). Wear a helmet and choose a belay stance that is out of the falling rock zone.

Getting There

Hike on the Dutchman's Trail toward Miners Needle, you'll pass a four way intersection, take the right route that leads in front of Sisyphus. When you feel it is appropriate step off the trail and hike to the formations. It takes around 1.25 hours from the Peralta parking area (4ish miles). The Sisyphus spire is the tallest formation but tends to blend into the area until one is closer to the base. It is the farthest set back as well. Casper looks like it sounds (the ghost) and sits alone, downhill from Sisyphus and closest to the trail you leave of to the right. The middle tower is Syphilis. Hard to see as two sub peaks block it until you are getting up it.

Routes from Left to Right

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 1
Sisyphus
Trad 2 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 2
Syphilis Spire
Trad 3 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 2
Casper
Trad 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Sisyphus
 1
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Syphilis Spire
 2
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 3 pitches
Casper
 2
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 2 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

upper 1/2 of Sisyphus as seen from Syphilis Spire
[Hide Photo] upper 1/2 of Sisyphus as seen from Syphilis Spire