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: 8,417 ft
GPS: 32.4323, -110.7933
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 53,377 total · 204/month
Shared By: James DeRoussel on Oct 28, 2002 · Updates
Admins: adrian montaño, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen
Warning Access Issue: Potentially unavailable to climbing February through July if raptors are breeding here. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Rappel Rock is located near the summit of Mt Lemmon at an elevation of over 9000 feet. Like the other summit crags, Rap Rock offers cool temps and spectacular views of Tucson to the south.

There are a number of high quality routes, including some of the longest moderate routes on the mountain.

Getting There Suggest change

Driving the Catalina Highway turning right towards the ski valley immediately prior to the village of Summerhaven. Continue through the ski valley parking lot, past a gate, and up a narrow paved road. Follow this road to the observatory where it ends. Use the gravel parking lot if you have Coronado Recreation Fee pass; otherwise park along the shoulder of the road.

Pick up the trail to the left (south) of the fenced-in antennas. After a couple minutes take the left fork onto Mt. Lemmon Trail #5. Follow the rocky road-like trail for approximately 15 minutes until you've passed a metal shed on the right. Just off trail on the left is a pipe with spring water that is safe to drink. Continue past this shed for another hundred yards until you are straight above Rappel Rock. On your left will be a climber's trail marked with cairns. Follow it downhill toward Rappel Rock and Avalon.

There is a large boulder in this area just below the trail. A few minutes on this trail will put you down in plain view of Rap Rock. Follow the trail down and around the west (right) end of two smaller formations. You will be deposited at the back side of Rap Rock. Many parties rack up here to avoid hiking back down for gear after summiting. It's also a good idea to scramble up and check out the descent.

To find the climbs, follow vague, steep trail down and around east (left) end of Rappel Rock.

19 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Rappel Rock Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Rappel Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 13
Not So Easy Arch
Trad 2 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 82
Black Quacker
Trad 5 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 81
Standard Route
Trad 4 pitches
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 11
Charadras
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 77
Bender-Axen
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
 7
The Corner
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13
 43
Quick Death
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 42
Chiboni
Trad
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 16
Helm's Deep
Trad 3 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 6
Black Magic Woman
Trad 5 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 15
Voodoo Child
Trad 4 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 8
Lude
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 4
Rotissima Bueno
Trad
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 4
Baradur
Trad 4 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Not So Easy Arch
 13
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 2 pitches
Black Quacker
 82
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 5 pitches
Standard Route
 81
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
Charadras
 11
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Trad
Bender-Axen
 77
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
The Corner
 7
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 Trad
Quick Death
 43
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13 Trad
Chiboni
 42
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
Helm's Deep
 16
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 3 pitches
Black Magic Woman
 6
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 5 pitches
Voodoo Child
 15
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 4 pitches
Lude
 8
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Rotissima Bueno
 4
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
Baradur
 4
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad 4 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Rappel Rock »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading