Apache Leap Rock Climbing

North End:  Start at the parking for Lower Looner Land and Magma gardens (just before the mine entrance).  Head west.  See Marty Karabin's book, "Queen Creek Canyon," for approach details and routes.

Middle part, from the east: Start at the parking for Lower Looner Land and Magma gardens (just before the mine entrance); head south-west until you reach a dirt road leading to a drilling pad. Follow the road south-west over the saddle: you'll see the well pad at the bottom of the valley. About halfway down the hill, turn right onto a well-marked trail heading up the valley in a south-west direction. You'll pass by Magma Gardens on your right. About a mile from the parking (30 minute hike), you'll see a saddle on your left (see picture) and the marked trail will head south. Follow the marked trail for 0.7 miles (about 30 minutes) south. It will eventually turn right and lead you to the top of the climbing area.

Middle Part, from the west: In Superior, head south on AZ 177 for 0.5 miles. Across from Ray Rd., take a left onto a dirt road (4WD) and head up the valley. There is a gate (locked, as of spring 2021) about half way up the road, at the edge of the Resolution Copper land. The hike from the gate to the end of the road is about 25 minutes. At the end of the road, there is a large well pad. A couple hundred yards before the pad, head uphill heading southeast: there is no established path. The base of the wall can be reached in about a half hour. This area contains the largest walls in the Queen Creek area.

South End:  To get to Geronimo and @ 20+ more climbs on the Southern part of the wall, take Magma Mine Road past the Oak Flat campground. After 1.5 miles, turn left onto the dirt road FR315; reset odometer at gate and drive @ 7/10th mile. On the east/left is the end of a broad flat area, look west/right for cairn to a dim trail that heads west up the canyon for 30min. You'll arrive at the Leap's edge. To access Geronimo, Broken Arrow, et cetera, hike north/right along climber's trail to it's end (@10-15min). After you pass under a small wall look for coldshuts on large west-facing blocks at trail's end. Be cautious when looking over the edge.