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Superstition Mountains
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Barks Canyon Wall 
Fish Creek 
Flatiron 
Great Leaders of the World Wall 
Hobgoblin Spires 
Northwest Pinnacles 
Southern Superstition Formations 
Suction Gully 
Weavers Needle 
Wild Horse Wall 
Zonerland 

Superstition Mountains 


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Elevation: 2,500'
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PLACING BOLTS IS ILLEGAL IN THE SUPERSTITION WILDERNESS! MORE INFO >>>


The Fire and Ice wall in front w/ the Acropolis be...

Description 

The Superstition Mountains, aka Sierra De La Spuma (Mountains of Foam) are located just east of the Phoenix metro area. Most of the Supes is designated wilderness area and you can really get away from it all if that's your desire. The rock is volcanic in nature and can be pretty bad in places, but most of the established routes in the area are found on at least decently stable rock. Always keep an eye out for those portable holds, though.

The routes in the Supes are virtually all traditional in nature, both gear and the bolted routes. The best multipitch in the area is found on Barks Canyon Wall with several really nice moderate routes.


Getting There 

The Superstitions sit just north of highway 60 as it heads east from Phoenix, to Globe. Climbing in the area mainly starts out either from Lost Dutchman State Park just off highway 88 (the Apache Trail) or from the Peralta Trailhead, accessed off highway 60 (watch for sign) via a 7 mile dirt road.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Superstition Mountains:
Mother of Invention   V7     Boulder, 1 pitch, 15 feet   Southern Superstition Forma... : The Fortress
West Chimney   5.0     Trad, 4 pitches, Grade III   Weavers Needle
Razor's Edge   5.6     Trad, 3 pitches, 250 feet   Northwest Pinnacles : The Hand
Spider Walk   5.7     Trad, 4 pitches, 550 feet   Suction Gully
De Grazia   5.7     Trad, 5 pitches, 400 feet, Grade III   Southern Superstition Forma... : Carney Springs Wall
The Long Lead   5.8     Trad, 3 pitches, 300 feet, Grade III   Barks Canyon Wall
Mustang Sally   5.8 R     Trad, 1 pitch, 150 feet   Wild Horse Wall
The Bronc   5.9     Trad, 1 pitch, 125 feet   Wild Horse Wall
Grandfather Hobgoblin   5.9     Trad, 4 pitches, 300 feet, Grade III   Hobgoblin Spires
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues   5.9 PG13     Trad, 1 pitch, 125 feet   Wild Horse Wall
The Long Road   5.9     Trad, 3 pitches, 300 feet, Grade III   Barks Canyon Wall
Tone of a Bell   5.9+     Sport, 1 pitch, 95 feet   Zonerland
Wailing Banshee   5.10a PG13     Trad, 1 pitch, 90 feet   Wild Horse Wall
Sidewinder   5.10a     Trad, 3 pitches, 300 feet   Flatiron
Stroke it Gently   5.10a PG13     Trad, 4 pitches, Grade II   Barks Canyon Wall
Field of Dreams   5.10c/d     Trad, 5 pitches, 450 feet, Grade III   Flatiron
The Linear Accelerator   5.11a     Trad, 1 pitch, 45 feet   Southern Superstition Forma... : The Fortress
To Air is Human   5.11a/b     Trad, 2 pitches, 200 feet   Southern Superstition Forma... : Carney Springs Wall
Stardust   5.11b/c     Trad, Sport, 1 pitch, 70 feet   Southern Superstition Forma... : The Fortress
Kublai Khan   5.12a/b     Trad, 2 pitches, 130 feet   Great Leaders of the World ...
Browse More Classics in Superstition Mountains

Featured Route For Superstition Mountains
Unfortunately, this is the one crappy shot I got of this stellar line.  But it was snowing on me earlier that day up there, and I was still suffering in cutting, freezing winds standing in the shade at the bottom, so cut me some ssslack, maaannn!    <br /> <br />March 2008

Tone of a Bell 5.9+  AZ : Central Arizona : ... : Zonerland
Long and awesome. First half is somewhat thin. First crux lies in a left-angling traverse after 3rd bolt to a rest ledge. Feels a bit scary. Second crux comes almost directly after this ledge on some suddenly muy vertical rock. Small pockets for fingers but very thin for feet. Pull through and cruise to the top. Rap off. Jump up and down and give your belayer a cupcake for good measure. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ


Photos of Superstition Mountains Slideshow Add Photo
Sunset on top of the Acropolis Via S/E Ridge

Sunset on top of the Acropolis Via S/E Ridge

Superstitions-posterized. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Superstitions-posterized.
Photo by Blitzo.


Weavers Needle, the classic view from Fremont Saddle on the Peralta Trail

Weavers Needle, the classic view from Fremont Sadd...

Sunset over Superstition Mountains. February 2003.

Sunset over Superstition Mountains. February 2003.

Superstition Mountains, AZ

Superstition Mountains, AZ

Caught this great sunset hiking out of the Supersitions, Thanksgiving, 2006.

Caught this great sunset hiking out of the Supersi...

Maybe clouds from heaven... <br />January 2008 <br />

Maybe clouds from heaven...
January 2008


Sunset viewed from the Needle - March 2008.

Sunset viewed from the Needle - March 2008.

Rescue at Fremont Saddle.

Rescue at Fremont Saddle.

Bouldering in the Superstition Mountains, photo: Bob Horan Collection

Bouldering in the Superstition Mountains, photo: B...

Jamee at the top of the climb "Stroke it Gently" at the Sups, Az

Jamee at the top of the climb "Stroke it Gently" a...

Does anyone know the name of this climb? <br /> <br />It is located in the area just south of Bark's Canyon Wall  It is North facing, about 100' West of the standard rap behind Glory Road. You can clearly see the webbing in an aclove near the top.   <br /> <br />Felt about 10a/b, 4-star fun.  90' Set of C4's .5-2, + a Blue Mastercam for the opening move sews it up. <br /> <br />Starts with overhanging fingers on gear up through a roof.  Then 3 bolt face to a horizontal placement and a final small roof.  2 bolts with webbing in the scoop just before summit.

BETA PHOTO: Does anyone know the name of this climb?

It is lo...


One more shot of the unknown route.

BETA PHOTO: One more shot of the unknown route.

On the approach to the Razors Edge

On the approach to the Razors Edge


Comments on Superstition Mountains Add Comment
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By allen simons
Mar 11, 2010

hEY, ANY CLIMBING IN THE FISH CREEK AREA UP PAST TORTILLA FLATS??

By Ian F.
From: Phx
Mar 16, 2010

I was out there a month ago. All I can say is that I saw several bolted routes @ fish creek, below the bridge to the south. I was not there to climb, so I have no idea what the range of difficulty may be. I would only think about it, if I was going out there to hike first, and if I had my gear maybe give something a go. Long drive for a few climbs. Unless of course you are looking for scary choss, death climbs, there are FA's awaiting. A very cool remote place nonetheless. Just not a climbing destination.

By roman d
From: Pasadena, CA
Mar 17, 2010

There are bolts of varying vintage on the 500' face just south of the road xing that follow a water streak most of the way to the top. I came in from the top last February and rapped down in 3 or 4 double rope raps. There is a newish 3 bolt chain anchor at the top, followed by a shitty three bolt anchor with pop-tab hangers and rusty chains, and then newer anchors below.

The lower 2-300' looks pretty mellow with good bolts, while the upper section looks much harder with scary bolts. Some pictures here

By Sendaholic
May 3, 2012

This is a video of Taylor Fowler on one the bouldering problems out in the Superstition Mountains.

By Tim Heid
From: Tempe, Az
Feb 8, 2013

Has anyone been out to the Labyrinth area recently? Any tips on getting there?