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GPS: 32.21669, -111.11127
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 53,326 total · 197/month
Shared By: James DeRoussel on Jul 26, 2002 · Updates
Admins: adrian montaño, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

Gate's Pass, best known for its spectacular sunsets, is also your best bet for some bouldering close to downtown Tucson. The area containing the boulders, while not part of Gate's Pass proper, is actually quite nice in the winter months.

There are enough boulders close to the road to keep you busy for a day, with established problems from V0 to V7. There are likely many more problems to be found, depending on how far uphill you are willing to walk. One can only assume that the short season and abundance of better rock on Mt Lemmon has limited climber's interest here. Still it's a nice place to spend a day when temps are right.

Gate's Pass provides a great opportunity to climb in a true Sonoran Desert setting, among some of the best saguaro stands in the world. It is also thick with evil jumping cholla and rattlesnakes, so be extra careful, especially with pets around. Don't forget to stick around for the sunset!

Getting There Suggest change

Driving time 15 min. from Downtown Tucson.From Tucson, drive west on Speedway Blvd into the Tucson Mountains. Drive past Gate's Pass and down the steep hill. Park at the second pullout on the right or left.

The boulders should be visible from the road. They are located on the south side of the road (your left driving down from Gates Pass). Find trails leading up hill to the boulders. Please stick to established trails.

42 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Gate's Pass

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V0 4
 26
Big Bulge Easy
Boulder
V1 5
 8
Left-Right Traverse High
Boulder
V1 5
 29
Cracked Face
Boulder
V1-2 5
 27
Big Undercling
Boulder
V3 6A
 9
Main Upper Prow Jug to Right
Boulder
V3-4 6A+ R
 4
Hidden Problem
Boulder
V4 6B
 19
Main Upper Prow Jug to Left
Boulder
V4 6B X
 4
The Humbler
Boulder
V4 6B
 9
Shelf traverse
Boulder
V4+ 6B+
 14
Northwest Face
Boulder
V5 6C
 12
Fault Finder
Boulder
V6 7A
 29
Broken Rubber
Boulder
V6 7A
 7
The Pusher Man Arete
Boulder
V7 7A+
 5
Right Arm Problem
Boulder
V10 7C+
 4
Farstrider
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Big Bulge Easy Problem Child
 26
V0 4 Boulder
Left-Right Traverse High Problem Child
 8
V1 5 Boulder
Cracked Face Broken Rubber Boulder…
 29
V1 5 Boulder
Big Undercling Problem Child
 27
V1-2 5 Boulder
Main Upper Prow Jug to Right Son of Broken Rubber…
 9
V3 6A Boulder
Hidden Problem Broken Rubber Boulder…
 4
V3-4 6A+ R Boulder
Main Upper Prow Jug to Left Son of Broken Rubber…
 19
V4 6B Boulder
The Humbler Late Boulder
 4
V4 6B X Boulder
Shelf traverse Late Boulder
 9
V4 6B Boulder
Northwest Face Late Boulder
 14
V4+ 6B+ Boulder
Fault Finder Son of Broken Rubber…
 12
V5 6C Boulder
Broken Rubber Broken Rubber Boulder…
 29
V6 7A Boulder
The Pusher Man Arete Rat's Nest
 7
V6 7A Boulder
Right Arm Problem Son of Broken Rubber…
 5
V7 7A+ Boulder
Farstrider One Eye Boulder
 4
V10 7C+ Boulder
More Classic Climbs in Gate's Pass »

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