Chimney Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  29,381. Good page?    Administrators:  Kristine Hoffman, Greg Opland, James DeRoussel, JJ Schlick, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  James DeRoussel on Oct 18, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 99° | 68° 97° | 63° 97° | 61° 93° | 63° 90° | 63°

Chimney Rock, March 2003, the day after a rather h...

Description 

Chimney Rock is a large, freestanding formation on the west side of the Catalina Highway near mp 11. Proximity to the highway, and a variety of climbing, have made Chimney Rock a popular crag for many years.

The Standard Route (5.7+) is a fun traditional climb that meanders for five short pitches up the broad east face of Chimney Rock. Moderate climbing and comfortable belays make this a great route to learn about multi-pitch climbing.

The southern portion of the east face also hosts a number of harder routes, many of superb quality. On the back (west) side of Chimney Rock are a couple of very hard sport routes. These can be inspected by rapping off the top of Chimney Rock where Standard Route finishes.

Getting There 

Driving up the Catalina Highway, go past Chimney Rock and park in a large pullout on the right just past mp 11. Highway construction has destroyed the old access point, so you have two options.

Direct option: From pullout, walk down-highway about a quarter mile until you are directly below the east face of Chimney Rock. (Be careful walking as there is not much shoulder here).Just below Chimney Rock, there is a break in the cliff where you can fourth-class up about 15 feet to access the rock. This is what remains of the old access. Be careful not to fall into the roadway or kick rocks down onto passing cars.

Safe option: From pullout, walk across the highway to a large culvert. Scramble up slope just right of this culvert to gain the upper ledge. Bushwack south 1/4 mile, paralleling the highway until you reach Chimney Rock.

The Classics

Featured Route For Chimney Rock

Single Lens Reflex 5.10  AZ : Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalin... : ... : Chimney Rock

Wild route! Sustained. Walking right from George's Buttress you pass Mistaken Identity, Stoner's Boner, and then a large rectangular block against the base. Centerpiece climbs the obvious vertical crack system that starts from the right side of this block. A little further is a prominent left facing left leaning corner that starts a ways off the ground. The standard start goes up right then underclingd left and then traverses further left to reach the base of the corner. This is a bit runout, bu...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ

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BETA PHOTO: From left to right: George's Buttress, Mistaken Id...	Old Summit Hut guide to southern AZ, 1st page of C...	Hut Guide, Chimney Rock, page 2
Chimney Rock	Second pitch after the nice OW.	Good man.....
8th and Main...?	Greg on the first pitch of Gripping Space. Nice p...