Continue with onX Maps
Sign in with Facebook
The Predator Ranch Area Rock Climbing
| Elevation: | 7,776 ft | 2,370 m |
| GPS: |
32.39322, -110.68843 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
|
| Page Views: | 145 total · 12/month | |
| Shared By: | Jerry Cagle on Dec 17, 2024 | |
| Admins: | adrian montaño, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen |
Contextual Backstory
Point of clarification: The choice of names for this area derives from and is an homage to my wife's many, many years spent volunteering with the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum's raptor program. She has always had, and to this day maintains, an active interest in wild predators (those of the non-human persuasion) -- and their prey. She is a strong, vocal advocate for causes which promote protections for them in their native habitat. Whenever I asked her what she would do if she could do anything she wanted, she would reply, "I would have a 'predator ranch' ".
Description
The Predator Ranch Area sits on the western slope of Green Mountain overlooking the headwaters of Willow Canyon and is comprised of a cluster of 3 small crags. In order from E to W they are: 1) If Dogs Could Fly Crag, 2) The Predator Ranch Crag, and 3) Birds Aren't Real Crag. They are all of an unimpressive height, but each possesses its own unique personality. The longest routes are pushing (maybe) 50’ with the majority in the 35 - 45’ range. Most of the routes require some gear, but a light rack will suffice. Tricams (seriously...!) and stoppers (offsets) will find a home here.
The rock quality varies from decent (The Predator Ranch Crag>Canis Lupus Bayleii Wall) to very good (If Dogs Could Fly Crag>Poochus Extraordinaireous Wall). The aspects are southerly (Birds Aren't Real Crag and If Dogs Could Fly Crag>Poochus Extraordinaireous Wall) and Westerly (The Predator Ranch Crag>Canis Lupus Bayleii Wall).
Getting There
There are 3 different approaches: The longest (recommended) is just a bit over a mile in length. That said, the cumulative elevation gain is not insignificant at ~900'. The good news is that it's (mostly) downhill at the end of the day. The other 2 routes are shorter and have somewhat less elevation gain but are xCountry adventures: no trail/steep, loose slopes.
1) RECOMMENDED: Park as for THE MATTERHORN
The trail starts at the up-highway end of the parking area. Follow it a (very) short distance to a small, rocky, usually dry streambed. Stay in the streambed for about 50 yards then continue upslope eventually contouring past 3 small rock outcroppings until you intersect the trail that follows the main ridge. Rumor has it that this was the "Old Green Mountian Summit Trail" but that it was abandoned after a fire swept through the area. I looked at historical topos going back to the early 1900's but I didn't find a trail on any of those maps. (NOTE:This is the same trail as described for THE OUTBACK, but you do not park in the same spot) After joining this trail, continue following the ridgeline passing the turnoff for THE OUTBACK and continue to a point very near the summit of Green Mountain. Keep left below the true summit and head back downslope to hiker's left.
The trail is not as difficult to follow as my (poorly) written description might lead you to believe. That said, your best bet to avoid getting off-trail will be to refer to the GPX route included herein. Click on: "Climbing Area Map">Click on: the line depicting the trail>Full Details>Download GPX File.
NOT RECOMMENDED: For the other two means access park as for THE OUTBACK, i.e. uphighway about a 1/4 of a mile past the parking for the recommended approach. follow 1) Willow Canyon proper - you can follow it to it's end then hook back L, or you can work your way up to the westernmost crag when it comes in to view 2) The ridge to hiker's L that parallels Willow Canyon.
Weather Averages
|
High
|
Low
|
|
Precip
|
Days w Precip
|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
All Photos Within The Predator Ranch Area
Most Popular · Newest · RandomMore About The Predator Ranch Area
Printer-FriendlyWhat's New
Guidebooks (9)
0 Comments