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Christopher Creek Gorge Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Christopher Creek Gorge

Bend Wall, The 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

Butterfly Wall 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

Canyoneers Wall 3 / 5 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8

Central Gorge North 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4

Central Gorge South 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

Confluence Wall 6 / 13 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 19

Cove, The 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

Eden 2 / 12 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 14

Lost World, The 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

Memorial Wall 3 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 10

Mordor 3 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 6

NEW WORLD 3 / 27 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 31

Southern Wall 11 / 17 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 28

Southern Wall Upper Terrace 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

Spring Creek 18 / 38 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 56

Tonto Wall 2 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

Waterfall Area 12 / 15 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 27

Yodel Wall 3 / 3 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7

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Elevation:	5,000 ft	1,524 m
GPS:	34.31718, -111.06262 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	103,103 total · 773/month
Shared By:	Aaron Collins on Jul 26, 2015 · Updates
Admins:	Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Just downstream from the Christopher Creek Campground, west of 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 at the old ADOT yard. The gate is now permanently open.

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 to the parking area bounded by boulders. You may park anywhere this side of the boulders too.

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.

To get to Spring Creek upper routes take the trail through forest on east side and walk to the stream bed and turn right.

223 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 A0 X 4 ● Lower GOAT Trad, Aid Eden
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 8 ● Nathan's Nutcracker Sport 4 pitches NEW WORLD > Montezuma Buttress > P1 The Tunnel Area
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 7 ● Dirty Poms Yacht Club Trad 2 pitches Waterfall Area
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 24 ● El Alquimista Sport Southern Wall
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 5 ● Lightning Strike Trad 2 pitches Waterfall Area
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b 10 ● Black and Tan Sport 2 pitches Waterfall Area
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b 12 ● Temptation Sport Eden
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 19 ● Take This Moment Sport Southern Wall
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 4 ● Shenanigans Trad Southern Wall
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 5 ● Butterfly Day Dream Sport 2 pitches Waterfall Area
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 5 ● Hannah Barbeara meets Charlie Br… Sport 3 pitches Waterfall Area
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 10 ● Rodin Sport Spring Creek > Upper Wall
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 19 ● Chieftain Sport Southern Wall
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 6 ● Mihalo The Great Sport Memorial Wall
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a 6 ● Montezuma's Throne Sport NEW WORLD > Montezuma Buttress > P3 Throne Room