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Elevation: 3,621 ft
GPS: 33.17393, -110.78162
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 367,877 total · 1,674/month
Shared By: Hendrixson on Feb 28, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen
Warning Access Issue:
  • Portions of the approach and cliffs of this area are on private land.
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Description Suggest change

The Homestead features limestone sport climbing in a remote, serene, desert setting. There are presently over 250 single pitch routes ranging in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.13b. A 70 meter rope and 16-20 quickdraws are recommended. The canyon consists of multiple walls, each with its own style and sun aspect. Tufa City, Rough Rider Zone, and North Buttress are perhaps the most glorious walls.

Please consider supporting the Access Fund's Homestead Campaign.

Getting There Suggest change

To obtain directions on a map download this KMZ file, which can be viewed with Google Earth.

The Homestead is between Globe and Winkelman on Arizona State Highway 77. From Winkelman take State Highway 77 north for 14.8 miles. At mile marker 153 slow down and look for the passing lane to end and the road to head slightly downhill. Immediately before the guardrail turn right and drive down a short hill to a gate. This gate is marked with a white sign that reads "Close Gate Behind You" in red letters. The turn off is at 33.144692, -110.797102, before Dripping Spring Road.

While the road was seriously improved by the Access Fund in March of 2016, a 4WD vehicle with high clearance is still recommended. To illustrate this point, a Honda CRV became stuck within hours of the road upgrades. If you lack an off-road vehicle make an immediate left to park. Please ensure that you are not blocking the road or access to ranch equipment. From here hike up the road (30-40 mins) to the upper Access Fund camping area.

If you are fortunate enough to have an off-road capable vehicle, continue down the road. The drive will ease after the first uphill crux section. Please drive in a lower gear, avoid spinning your tires, and maintain a reasonable speed to keep the road in good condition for everyone. 

There are two Access Fund parking/camping areas as of March 2021. The upper parking sits on the ridge and the lower parking is down in the canyon. There is a pit toilet, marked by a small wooden "privy" sign and cairns about 10-20 ft down the road from the Homestead kiosk by the upper parking area. If parking at the upper parking area, the trailhead starts at the Homestead kiosk and goes 0.4 mile to the other side of the dirt road. If parking in the lower area, continue on the road, passing through both sets of gates (close them after you pass) and park after the second gate and the main trailhead.  

Walk the road to the beginning of the trail that will take you to the crags. At the fork turn left/uphill to reach Finland Terrace, Tufa City, and Marley Wall. Continue straight/downhill to reach the other walls. Slate Nation and Mouse Wall are accessed from either trail.

Please camp only in the Access Fund campgrounds, pack out all waste and do not make campfires on windy days. Do not camp between the gates as this is private property. Close all gates. Do not jeopardize future access. 

Homestead Map

Homestead Road after Access Fund Conservation Team repairs on 2016-03-06.

Guides

Suggest change
  • John Hinrichsen created a supplement to Louie Anderson's PDF. It combined with Mountain Project is the best beta. The topos are available on Mountain Project and the PDF can be here.
  • Louie Anderson published a PDF in 2007. This guide was the best reference for a number of years. It is high quality but is now missing many routes.
  • The Homestead by Marty Karabin is a foldout pocket guide. This topo tends to be available at the Arizona Hiking Shack, Summit Hut, and REI for $5. Written in 2007 this guide is grossly out-of-date and not recommended.
  • The Homestead: Arizona Limestone. This out-of-date guide does not list a date or author. It is presently available here.

280 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Homestead Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Homestead

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 42
Prymal Instinct
Sport
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 56
Appetite For Destruction
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 56
Morning Mate
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 77
Tufa-one
Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 54
Radical Self Expression
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 102
Tufa Yard Dash
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 42
Great Northern
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 48
The Rough Rider
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 31
One With Everything
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 75
Micro Burst
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 92
Cold Fusion
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 46
Masterpiece Theater
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 36
Black Sunshine
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 28
La Linea Negra
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 31
Dead Sea
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Prymal Instinct N Buttress
 42
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport
Appetite For Destruction N Buttress
 56
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport
Morning Mate Rough Rider Zone > Cow Town Buttress
 56
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Tufa-one Tufa City
 77
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Radical Self Expression Finland Terrace
 54
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
Tufa Yard Dash Tufa City
 102
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Great Northern N Buttress
 42
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
The Rough Rider Rough Rider Zone > Rough Rider Wall
 48
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
One With Everything Rough Rider Zone > Rough Rider Wall
 31
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Micro Burst Tufa City
 75
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Cold Fusion Rough Rider Zone > Rough Rider Wall
 92
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Masterpiece Theater Finland Terrace
 46
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Black Sunshine Tufa City
 36
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
La Linea Negra Tufa City
 28
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Dead Sea Tufa City
 31
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Homestead »

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