Granite Dells access?

My husband and I live in Tucson and were considering a trip to the Granite Dells this weekend. Mountain Project makes it seem like access might be questionable, but searching the Internet doesn't provide much in the way of concrete information (though I could have stupidly missed something).

Could any Prescott-area climbers help me understand the situation at the Granite Dells? Thanks!

There are quite a few climbs easily accessed right from Watson Lake Park. $2 entry/parking fee. There are other access points but that one is totally legit and easy. From Prescott head north on Hwy. 89 a few miles to a roundabout. Go right into the park from the roundabout. Go through the pay station and continue east to a parking lot on the left right before a boat ramp. Do not go right to the larger boat ramp on the west side of the lake next to 89. Hike along the west shore of the lake through boulders to the various areas.

Thanks, this information is very helpful! I will definitely take advantage of your directions!

However, I can tell my question wasn't worded well. What I meant to ask was, will we be harassed/fined/kicked out of the area for climbing anywhere in or near the granite dells (not Granite Mountain, which I know is closed)? The area page on mountain project says something like "access comes and goes, so be careful and cooperative," which I found a bit confusing. Do you happen to know if there are places where climbing is frowned on or not allowed?

Thanks again, and sorry for my failure to communicate. It was nice to get bonus directions though :)

Anna,

For the most part so long as you stay along well-marked trails(i.e. when approaching the Below the Dam area) or outside of fenced areas, you should be fine. There is an area where access is very sensitive, where you need to pass through a gated community called "Granite Gate." The area has some great sport routes, but I've been harassed by the HOA rep while going there.

That's basically the only area I can think of right now that isn't exactly clear. Other than that, If you are making a trip up from Tucson I would stick to High Rappel Dell area (Approach is 2mins from parking area) or even staying In Granite Basin is a great location too, while not being affected by the falcon closures.

Cheers,
Mac

EDIT: Contact Kevin Keith for specific area details, he's definitely one of the best resources to go to. His MP name is the same..

Anna,

I understood what you meant and was just giving you directions to the access point that has zero concerns. High Rappel Dell cliff is not easily accessed from the Watson Lake area though. If you want to go there continue past the roundabout about 1/2 mile and take a right onto a dirt road just past the main cliff. You can't miss the cliff since you will be driving right under it. You are more likely to encounter access issues around there but not on the main cliff. If you go in at Watson Lake you are unlikely to make your way to an area with access issues.

Thanks to both of you for your helpful comments! Sounds like a trip to the Prescott area won't be too big of a problem :) I will definitely contact Kevin Keith if I have any other questions -- I am excited to check out some of your climbs, which sound really fun!

Oh, and one final question: is there a good outdoors store in Prescott, which might have good topos/guidebooks for sale? Summit Hut in Tucson sells a mini-guide to Granite Mountain, but since it's closed til July, that isn't very useful for this trip.

There is no current guide available to the Granite Dells and Prescott area. Bill Cramer's guide is out of print and Kevin is still working on his. Check for other info at Granite Mountain Outfitters on Gurly St. just west of the courthouse square.

I was afraid that might be the case. It sounds like the Cramer guide was really good, but at least there will be another good guide out later! I just wrote Kevin, and I'll check Granite Mountain Outfitters as you suggest.

Thanks again for all your help! I'm sure we'll find something to climb :)

As CJD said, the guidebooks are slightly out of date if you can find them. The Falcon Guide for Arizona written by Stewart Green has a decent overview of the classic areas around Prescott including Time Zone Wall, High Rappel Dell, and Thor's Wall. It might be worth picking that up if you haven't already for other AZ areas as well, I've always found it fairly accurate.

Also, there is The Hike Shack and Manzanita Outfitters in downtown Prescott which should carry the most recent guides.

Hopefully Kevin gets back to you, as I'm sure he's got some new routes he'd want you to try out.

-Mac

This is all great to know! I'll definitely check out the Hike Shack and Manzanita Outfitters in addition to Granite Mountain Outfitters. If any of them have Stewart Green's guide (which I do not have), I'll buy it for sure.

A friend recently took the AMGA single pitch instructor course with Kevin, and he said he thinks Kevin doesn't get on the computer too often...so maybe I shouldn't expect to hear back with such short notice. However, if he doesn't write back until after this weekend, that just gives me a good excuse to make another trip later!

Either way, it sounds like Prescott has some really nice climbing areas. Summer has finally arrived in Tucson, ugh, so I'll even be excited to just wander around in cooler temperatures and find whatever I can find.

For updates on Book Release:
Granite Dells Climbing Guide