Cactus Ranch Rock Climbing

Park at the pullout at approximately mile 3.6 on Catalina Highway. This pullout is on the left (going uphill) and is about 500 feet below the 4000 foot elevation sign. If you get to the 4000 foot sign, turn around and park at the first pullout downhill from the 4000 foot sign. Cross the highway and climb over the guard rail. Walk uphill about 100 feet to a cairn, and begin to drop down and left across talus. Cairns mark the way, but the path is easy to follow. Zig-zag downhill towards the creekbed, eventually traversing right as you near the bottom and dropping down to the bottom in a small side drainage. Cross the creekbed near the downstream end of a grove of pretty sycamores, and pick up a large cairn directly across the creek. Head steeply up and right, then more straight up, following cairns.  As you climb slightly above the level of your parked car, the trail will approach a large mesquite tree. At this tree (usually marked by a large cairn), the trail to Cactus Ranch turns sharply right, while the trail to Lockdown Rock goes left (see photo). Expect 25 minutes or so from the car to the crag.

NOTE: During periods of high water this crag may be difficult to access.