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Elevation: 8,503 ft
GPS: 32.4471, -110.79047
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Shared By: James DeRoussel on Jul 10, 2010 · Updates
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Description Suggest change

The Santa Catalina Mountains are more commonly known among climbers and non-climbers alike as, simply, Mount Lemmon. Although Mount Lemmon is only one of many peaks within the Santa Catalina range, its name has been casually applied to the range as a whole for some time.

Mount Lemmon, rising to an elevation of 9,157 feet above sea level, offers some of the best climbing in Arizona. More than 2,500 3,000 climbing routes can be found on the mountain, making it one of the most popular and densely developed climbing areas in the state. With crags located at elevations ranging from 2,500' - 9,000', comfortable climbing temps can be found year round.

While the vast majority of the climbs in this area are accessed by the Catalina Highway, there are parts of the range accessed otherwise. This area has been organized based on access and geographical location.

Be aware of the many objective dangers that inhabit these mountains... loose rock, old hardware, extreme heat and cold, bark scorpions, gila monsters, lightning, multiple species of rattlesnakes and, perhaps most importantly, flash floods. Stay out of arroyos and major drainages, particularly during the monsoon season of July-August! Flash floods can present a lethal danger, even when skies are clear in your immediate locale.

Finally, be advised that many climbing areas within the Santa Catalinas are closed seasonally (mainly January-July) for protection of peregrine falcons and bighorn sheep. We have made every effort to note closures and restrictions within those specific areas on this site, so please do your homework before planning a trip.

Getting There Suggest change

The Santa Catalina Mountains are located immediately north of Tucson, and are accessible by a few different routes. See inidividual areas within the Santa Catalinas for more detailed information.

3,052 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalina Mountains) Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalina Mountains)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 147
Steel Crazy
Sport 4 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 154
Old Man
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 186
Chihuahua Power
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 86
R-4
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 106
Centerpiece
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 91
Nang
Trad
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 141
Go Speed Racer
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 295
Steve's Arete
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 95
Two Kings And A Pawn
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 116
Arizona Flyways
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 138
Holey Moley
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 95
Corned Beef and Thrash
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 85
Hard Day at The Orifice
Sport
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 131
Tsunami
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 73
Orifice Politics
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Steel Crazy Mt Lemmon (Cata… > … > Fortress > Southeast Face
 147
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport 4 pitches
Old Man Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 4 - Windy Point… > S Fin
 154
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Chihuahua Power Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 2 - Bear Canyon > Lost Hawk
 186
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
R-4 Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 3 - Windy Point… > Rupley Towers
 86
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Centerpiece Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 2 - Bear Canyon > Chimney Rock
 106
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Nang Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 4 - Windy Point… > N Fin
 91
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Go Speed Racer Mt Lemmon (Cata… > … > Hairpin Turn Area > Pinhead Wall
 141
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
Steve's Arete Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 3 - Windy Point… > Hunchback Pinnacle
 295
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Two Kings And A Pawn Mt Lemmon (Cata… > … > Chessman Area > 4 - Queen
 95
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Arizona Flyways Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 3 - Windy Point… > Anduriel Tower
 116
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Holey Moley Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 3 - Windy Point… > New Wave Wall
 138
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Corned Beef and Thrash Mt Lemmon (Cata… > … > Ireland > IreIand Main Wall
 95
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Hard Day at The Orifice Mt Lemmon (Cata… > … > Fortress > Orifice Wall
 85
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Tsunami Mt Lemmon (Cata… > 3 - Windy Point… > New Wave Wall
 131
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Sport
Orifice Politics Mt Lemmon (Cata… > … > Fortress > Orifice Wall
 73
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalina Mountains) »

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