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Elevation: 6,821 ft
GPS: 35.11415, -111.58641
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 86,626 total · 796/month
Shared By: JJ Schlick on Apr 10, 2015
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

The Drysdale Trail connects 1/2 mile of some of the best walls at The Ridge, all the while entertaining you with views of Lower Lake Mary, and Mormon Mountain to the south. Over the course of many, many seasons this game trail was cleared of rubble (though it always returns) and made somewhat pad friendly.

Named in honor of the late Robert Drysdale, who may have been one the first climbers to sample these lines, his presence is almost tangible among these walls. Rob was known as "The Condor" from early in his career and at 6'4" with a +ape index he certainly lived up to the nickname. Let's just say he had a talent for finding the tall boy classics and would have become a powerhouse (more so, than he already is) in the history of Flagstaff rock climbing, if not for his untimely passing. As John Sherman writes in his Stone Crusade,

 "Drysdale's full legacy will never be known- he died before telling others of all his routes. Just as Drysdale enjoyed finding ancient artifacts, in the future some boulderer is going to pull over a desperate shield of limestone, find himself high off the deck, just a move or two shy of a first ascent, and there, hidden in a thank-god hueco, the key to the summit, will be an empty pint can."

The Booze Pig Wall is without doubt the showcase wall for the harder lines.

These walls are laid out west to east, The Gateway Wall marking the west end of the trail, while The Long Ryders Wall marks the east end of the trail.

Also, the grades on these walls are rough suggestions. Please give your two cents on them.

As usual any help in maintaining the integrity of this trail is much appreciated, as it sees a lot of wild life travel and monsoonal changes. It makes this area more of a pleasure cruise compared to the ankle twisting bushwhack it was for decades. 

Getting There Suggest change

Google Earth Parking

Drysdale Trail Aerial Overview


Just past the entrance to The Lake Mary Picnic area there is a dirt road on the north side of the highway. It's the only road on that side for a ways.  

Parking can be had before the gate if you have a low clearance vehicle. Otherwise there are several pull outs up the road and through the gate. PLEASE park responsibly and leave the roads clear for forest personell to pass if needed. They do frequent the area.

From the junction of the dirt roads walk west for 60' looking for a small climbers trail which leads you up the slope. Follow this until you have to work around a few benches near the gully.

The wall immediately to the right (east) of the small gully is The Gateway Wall. The Perfect Day Wall is west of the The Gateway Wall about 5 minute walk.

Or, from the parking area, hike east up quaint two track road. Eventually you come across and old timey circular well house made of stacked limestone blocks. Go left around this, and up through a "Notch". A climbers trail leads you east, then up some benches, then east, and up some more benches, eventually this trail intersects the Drysdale Trail with the Booze Pig Wall to east about 5 minutes walk.

93 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

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Classic Climbing Routes at The Drysdale Trail

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1- 5-
 20
A Dog's Life
Boulder
V2-3 5+
 28
Undercling Fling
Boulder
V3 6A
 16
Streets of Laredo
Boulder
V3 6A
 9
Perfect Day
Boulder
V3-4 6A+
 11
A Moment of Airity
Boulder
V4 6B
 8
Spare me the Details
Boulder
V4-5 6B+
 7
Too Old to Die Young
Boulder
V5 6C
 14
On Liquor I Spent my Last Dime
Boulder
V5 6C
 15
No News, is Good News
Boulder
V5-6 6C+
 11
This American Life
Boulder
V6 7A
 42
Booze Pig
Boulder
V6-7 7A+
 7
Honey Berry
Boulder
V7 7A+
 32
When the Bible is a Bottle
Boulder
V8 7B
 17
A Hardwood Floor is Home
Boulder
V8+ 7B+
 4
Punch Drunk Sunrise
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
A Dog's Life B. The Whining Dog Wall
 20
V1- 5- Boulder
Undercling Fling G. The Booze Pig Wall
 28
V2-3 5+ Boulder
Streets of Laredo I. Long Ryders Wall
 16
V3 6A Boulder
Perfect Day Perfect Day Wall
 9
V3 6A Boulder
A Moment of Airity I. Long Ryders Wall
 11
V3-4 6A+ Boulder
Spare me the Details C. NPR Wall
 8
V4 6B Boulder
Too Old to Die Young H. The Half-life Wall
 7
V4-5 6B+ Boulder
On Liquor I Spent my Last Dime G. The Booze Pig Wall
 14
V5 6C Boulder
No News, is Good News C. NPR Wall
 15
V5 6C Boulder
This American Life C. NPR Wall
 11
V5-6 6C+ Boulder
Booze Pig G. The Booze Pig Wall
 42
V6 7A Boulder
Honey Berry G. The Booze Pig Wall
 7
V6-7 7A+ Boulder
When the Bible is a Bottle G. The Booze Pig Wall
 32
V7 7A+ Boulder
A Hardwood Floor is Home G. The Booze Pig Wall
 17
V8 7B Boulder
Punch Drunk Sunrise G. The Booze Pig Wall
 4
V8+ 7B+ Boulder
More Classic Climbs in The Drysdale Trail »

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