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Elevation: 5,322 ft
GPS: 31.79011, -110.39865
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 193,901 total · 736/month
Shared By: James DeRoussel on Jul 25, 2002 · Updates
Admins: adrian montaƱo, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

   Dry Canyon, a.k.a. 'The Dry', is an increasingly popular destination for those seeking moderate to very difficult sport climbing. Located in the Whetstone Mountains north of Sierra Vista, this remote limestone crag is an ideal cool weather playground, being mostly sunny until later in the afternoon. Established routes range from 5.8 to 5.14c/d, with the overwhelming majority in the 5.11-.12 range. Bring a 60m rope and quickdraws. The rock is generally steep and of good quality, though bloodily abrasive in some areas. There are certainly enough routes to keep you busy for a winter, and it is likely that The Dry will see further development in coming years. The Whetstone Mountains are one of several small mountain ranges in Southeastern Arizona hosting an abundance of limestone cliffs. While there are most certainly more crags like this one, the remote nature of these ranges has limited their development. This crag was discovered by two U of A students (Jon Winsley and Steve Scott) in 1995 but most of the routes were developed after the initial discovery and in several waves over the years.  Development is ongoing in many sectors. 

   There are currently no access issues at this crag. Please help to keep it that way. The Dry is on Coronado National Forest land so camp freely, but PLEASE observe low impact principles to avoid future access issues. Also, please do not block the road with your vehicle. Lastly, remember that all of Southeastern Arizona is a virtual highway for Mexican migrants. Use your head. For rest day fun, visit nearby Kartchner Caverns State Park, just to the north.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive east on Interstate 10 from Tucson for about 40 miles. Exit at Arizona Hwy. 90, heading south towards Sierra Vista. Drive south for about 12.5 miles and carefully make a right on a dirt road just past milepost 302.

A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for the remainder of the drive. If you do not have at least a high clearance vehicle, consider going home! The road is very rough and steep in places.

From Hwy 90, proceed down dirt road for about 1.8 miles to a T-intersection (marker 369) and turn right. Take the first left (marked #4014) and continue to the end of the road, staying right through two intersections.

Park at the road's end, where it dwindles down to a trail; this is about 3.5 miles in from the highway. Follow this trail down and across the wash, out past a water tank and continue on toward the far end of the crag. Approach the crag uphill on established switchbacks. It is 15-30 minutes from the car to the crag depending on where you stop to climb.

120 Total Climbs

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Location: The Dry Canyon Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Dry Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 41
Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 30
Hippie Hate
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 30
Butterfly Hiccup
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 19
Hug Life
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 61
Loose Stools
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 37
Veganator
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 42
A Climb Called Quest
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 7
Evil is Never Dry
Sport
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 35
Spinal Twist
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 33
Stranglehoff
Sport
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
 6
Life in Color
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 10
All Choked Up
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 6
One Punch Man
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 8
Petrichor
Sport
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a
 5
Honey Seeker
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Sexual Tyrannosaurus 3 - Spine Cave
 41
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
Hippie Hate 3 - Spine Cave
 30
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Butterfly Hiccup 7 - Celebrity Cave
 30
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Hug Life 6 - Swallow Wall
 19
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Loose Stools 3 - Spine Cave
 61
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Veganator 5 - Bee Cave
 37
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
A Climb Called Quest 5 - Bee Cave
 42
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Evil is Never Dry 3 - Spine Cave
 7
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Spinal Twist 3 - Spine Cave
 35
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Sport
Stranglehoff 5 - Bee Cave
 33
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Life in Color 5 - Bee Cave
 6
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b Sport
All Choked Up 5 - Bee Cave
 10
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
One Punch Man 6 - Swallow Wall
 6
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Petrichor 4 - Superfly Sector
 8
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Honey Seeker 5 - Bee Cave
 5
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Dry Canyon »

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