Elevation: 5,000 ft
GPS: 34.31718, -111.06262
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 98,610 total · 1,033/month
Shared By: Aaron Collins on Jul 26, 2015 · Updates
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description

Just downstream from the Christopher Creek Campground, behind the RC Boy Scout ranch, is the start of the gorge. It has been a canyoneering experience for most. A few routes exist compared to the amount of rock you can see. The north side of the canyon is sunny and makes a fun winter spot; the south side is shady and is better during the warm months. Forget going in July and August, too buggy and hot. The best parking is near the ADOT Yard (which will be removed spring of 2015). The road is closed at the gate but you may park on pavement until access is assured. The Access Fund and Concerned Climbers of AZ are working with the Tonto Natl Forest to maintain access. 

Many folks like to bring dogs to this beautiful riparian canyon. This creek flows into Tonto Creek and that flows into Roosevelt Lake, Phoenix's water supply. Please clean up after your dogs, pack your poop out, and keep your dog under your control. Nobody wants paws on their gear and ropes, nobody wants to deal with an aggressive dog off a leash. Please be considerate and keep control of your pet. It is not up to others to get along with your dog, it is your responsibility to care for and control your pet.

Getting There

From Payson, drive east on Hwy 260 until milepost 270.8ish and a paved exit on the right is your parking area. Park on the side of pavement and do not block the road. Walk through the cattleguard and head left on the powerline road to the east/start of main gorge. 

Most climbers walk southwest towards the large cairn marking the main trail to Christopher Creek Gorge. At the end of the flat mitigation field you'll arrive at a large depression . At the depression you can continue directly south to the Exit Gorge and Yodel Wall. Taking the main trail to the west will take you to the main areas: Confluence Wall, Southern Wall, Memorial Wall, Mordor, etc.

110 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Christopher Creek Gorge

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 3
High Water
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 29
Southern Comfort
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
 33
Concierge
Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 5
Tweety Bird
Sport 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 4
Dirty Poms Yacht Club
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 37
Black Lung
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 10
Eye of Sauron
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 6
Aloof Roof
Sport, TR
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 14
Southern Blood
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 8
El Alquimista
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 11
Pixie Bell
Sport
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 4
Lightning Strike
Trad 2 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 13
Grandpa's Watching
Trad
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 7
Take This Moment
Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 12
Chieftain
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
High Water Waterfall Area
 3
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Southern Comfort Southern Wall
 29
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Concierge Southern Wall
 33
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 Sport
Tweety Bird Southern Wall
 5
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport 2 pitches
Dirty Poms Yacht Club Waterfall Area
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 2 pitches
Black Lung Southern Wall
 37
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Eye of Sauron Mordor
 10
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Aloof Roof Confluence Wall
 6
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport, TR
Southern Blood Southern Wall
 14
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
El Alquimista Southern Wall
 8
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Pixie Bell Southern Wall
 11
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Lightning Strike Waterfall Area
 4
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Grandpa's Watching Southern Wall
 13
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Take This Moment Southern Wall
 7
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Chieftain Southern Wall
 12
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Christopher Creek Gorge »

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