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Elevation: 7,565 ft
GPS: 35.3874, -111.61355
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 116,412 total · 812/month
Shared By: Wiled Horse on Jun 11, 2012
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

Tucked back on the north-east side of the San Francisco Peaks and north of Lockett Meadow is a small and secluded andesite/dacite crag called the Hobo Jungle. Hobo Jungles are camps of transient hobo communities, which congregate usually near a railroad. The hobo culture is quite elaborate and intriguing having aspects not too different than those of the climbing community. If you are more interested in hobohemia and an internet search isn't enough, check out the documentary "The American Hobo".

The climbing at the Jungle has been described as a “mini-Peaks” with climbs of all grades, though stacked with 5.11s. Routes are mostly all bolted like the powerful sport problems, Jungle Buzzard and Redball. There are also a few trad/mixed adventures like Bindlestiff and Twist a Dream. Don't miss out on the crag's classics Southern Exposure and Mulligan Pie. The Jungle is also home to area testpiece, Steel Reserve, an overhanging 5.13. There's something for everyone.

Facing mostly east and in national forest land, the Hobo Jungle is a wonderful afternoon crag, though the left side routes get cool morning shade.

Getting There Suggest change

The Hobo Jungle is a 30 minute drive from Flagstaff. Take 89 north out of Flag towards Page. After a little over 11 miles from the Hwy 40 junction, turn left on FR 545 (right is Sunset Crater). At the T after a half mile, turn right on FR 552 (left goes towards Schultz Pass). Follow this heavily washboarded road for a mile as it gradually bends left. Turn right on FR 418, and follow this for about 2.5 miles as it wraps around to a hairpin and lone boulder marker on the right. Turn LEFT and park in the parking area and popular campsite. From here, a casual 15 minute flip-flop stroll south along the jeep trail dead-ends to a nice clearing, and the Hobo Jungle crag on your right. NO MOTOR VEHICLES according to the Coconino National Forest Trails Map. Follow a path across the wash to the right end of the crag at the Hobo Cave and wonderful congregating spot, underneath the proud overhanging and thin bolted face of Steel Reserve.

As of June 2023, both forest roads 552 and 418 are closed to vehicle traffic.  You can check the road status here:

Coconino Natl Forest Road Closures

50 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Hobo Jungle

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 111
Hungry Hungry Hobo
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 122
Hobophilia
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 105
Elk Sign
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 172
Southern Exposure
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 119
Gandy Dancer
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 64
Road Sister
Sport
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 150
Mulligan Stew
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 75
Redball
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 63
Mulligan Pie
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 36
Lucky Streak
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 16
Sweet Back Direct
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 22
Sweet Back
Sport
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 79
South of No North
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 8
Pie in the Sky
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 24
Steel Reserve
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Hungry Hungry Hobo
 111
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Sport
Hobophilia
 122
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Elk Sign
 105
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Southern Exposure
 172
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Gandy Dancer
 119
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Road Sister
 64
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Mulligan Stew
 150
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport
Redball
 75
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Mulligan Pie
 63
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Lucky Streak
 36
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
Sweet Back Direct
 16
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Sweet Back
 22
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
South of No North
 79
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Sport
Pie in the Sky
 8
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Steel Reserve
 24
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Hobo Jungle »

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