All Locations > Arizona > Central Arizona > *Phoenix Areas > McDowell Mountains

Turtle Ridge Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Turtle Ridge

L › R R › L A › Z

Finger Grease T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	3,147 ft	959 m
GPS:	33.67338, -111.7905 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	1,404 total · 19/month
Shared By:	SummitSender on Nov 5, 2019 · Updates
Admins:	Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Access: Details

The only access issue for this area is the seasonal closure of routes on the north side of Tom's Thumb.
Please be aware of, and abide by the closure when it is in effect!

For more information, please visit scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve

Description

This is as remote as it gets in the McDowells. Turtle Ridge is named after the “turtle” on “turtle” formation on the ridge line. It is a hard to access area but holds some gems and some potential FAs for willing parties.

Getting There

Approach is long for the McDowells. 2 options. (Option 1) hike past fist grease and up to the thumb nail then just start bush wacking down the ridge to the EAST. (Option 2) hike the landslide trail until it is as far west as you can go then follow path of least resistance to the ridge to the south. (See photos) Formations are everywhere with plenty to climb and develop.