The bouldering areas above Lake Mary consist mostly of the long stretching limestone band that runs from the Pit on the west to Lakeview campground on the east, where the limestone peeters out and basalt takes over. All of these areas are accessed off of Lake Mary road, with short uphill approaches, and views of Lower and Upper Lake Mary. The mostly southern aspect makes these areas a real treat in the fall, spring, and even in the dead of winter depending upon the year. These areas will require seasonal cleanings, especially after winter and the monsoons. If you get up there and find a fine layer a silt over everything, rest well in the knowledge that you are the first person up there in probably a long time. Usually a stick brush will suffice to get rid of the surface silt.
The whole ridge was once known as the "Land of High Bouldering" coined by the late Robert Drysdale. There is the tiniest of blurbs about it in the Flagstaff section of John Shermans "Stone Crusade".
Though there is an awful lot of highballing to do, there are also tons of less vertically challenging problems as well. There is something for everyone up there, but come prepared to look for it, and don't expect polished holds, black rubber and tick marks to guide you.
I will be throwing in some of the more concentrated areas, but people have been climbing out here for a long time. I myself have hiked the whole ridge line dozens and dozens of times simply looking for the perfect line. There is lots to be be seen.
Getting There
From Flagstaff, find your way onto Lake Mary road and drive east...
Lake Mary Bouldering
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