PRINT: Rock Climbing in Atlantis, Central Arizona

Atlantis

Arizona > Central Arizona > Queen Creek Canyon

Access Issue: Must Register! Private Property-The Pond, Atlantis and Mine Area Details

Climbing at The Pond, Atlantis and Mine Area are private property, and now requires that you register in order to gain legal access. This is an easy process. You can do this at: queencreekclimbing.com/.
This is a one-time and free process so once you are registered you are good to go.

You can read more about this process and the announcement at the Queen Creek Coalition website – theqcc.com or the Queen Creek Coalition’s Facebook page – facebook.com/Queen-Creek-Co…

Description

Atlantis is found in a deep cleft on the right just past the big tunnel you go through when driving from Superior in the direction of Globe. The rock tends to be less pocketed and more small edges than a lot of areas at Queen Creek. This is one of the few areas that you can climb at near Phoenix in the summer time, if you show up early and switch sides of the canyon with the shade.

Getting There

Atlantis is reached by parking in the first small lot past the tunnel on the right. The trail starts near the west end of the parking lot and is now well defined and reinforced in many areas. Thanks to those who spent the effort to get it in good shape. It ends at the bottom just outside the canyon mouth with Kitty Pool on the left (north) before you enter the canyon. Funny Farm is located across the wash and back up the hillside to the south. The rest of the routes are mostly on the interior of the canyon walls.

While it is possible to rap in over the route Neptune, is not desirable since many parties are typically below and the anchors are a little exposed to get too. Just take the 5 minute trail instead.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The Trident 3p, 5.9.

Big pool at the entrance. Most of the year this is totally dry. Looking upstream with north side left, south side right.

Looking into the slot from the entrance.

Our little friend at the base of Smoking Guns

Stitched panorama showing the heart of Atlantis. Most routes are in visible area, 'Mondo Freako', 'Unknown 5.6' and 'Mickey Mouse' are ~15 yds off to the right of this.

Water crossing - July '08

Pool entering Atlantis- July '08

Atlantis Pools during monsoon weather (July '08)

Me on top of first born at the end of the day during an amazing sunset

Waterfall at the end of Atlantis. The creek and pool were crystal clear.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Ben Beard
Superior, AZ

as of Aug 17, 2010, there is another car at the bottom of Atlantis. White Lexus, no one inside (no blood, nothing). Just above the dam/waterfall. Aug 17, 2010

Peter Franzen
Phoenix, AZ

Lots of rotten rock here, even on the more established routes.

Great place to get out of the sun though! Oct 17, 2011

drjordan

I found a wedding ring down here. Anyone have any info? Nov 30, 2012

Toby Wehler
Milwaukee, WI

Forgot my 5.10s here on Saturday (4/5)...likely near the base of Neptune. My climbing buddy and I left at noon just as some different groups arrived. If someone from the MP universe happened to pick em up and are willing to return them, I would greatly appreciate it (anasazi vcs V2 size US11.5). Apr 10, 2014

K-Tanz
Phoenix, AZ

As of 8/24/14 a lot of the routes are underwater. You can work around almost all of the water with the exception of the easy routes on the extreme northwest side.

Oct 25, 2014

Joshua Munoz
Honolulu, HI

Not sure why there are so many 3 star routes. The rock quality is poor and the eye bolts are SO old and rusted. Almost every bolt spun on me. This is not a place you want to be falling on lead. Save yourself and just go to the pond. Mar 31, 2016

ErikF

Dear Climbers:

We love climbing at The Pond, Atlantis and the Mine area. They are favorites for most of us who climb in the Queen Creek area. These areas have been the private property of Resolution Mining Company and its predecessors since the 1960's or earlier. Climbing on this private property, The Pond, Atlantis, and parts of the Mine areas now requires that you register in order to gain legal access. This is an easy process. You can do this at: queencreekclimbing.com.

Registration does not mean that you endorse the Mine or Land Exchange. It is simply the way that climbers can access the private property without trespassing. This system was anticipated and agreed to under the Recreational Use License signed by the Access Fund covering the time period 2006 to 2011, and by Queen Creek Coalition’s current Recreational Use License with Resolution Copper that allows climbers on the private property.

Registration is an easy process where you go to the website, read a couple pages of information, and then sign an electronic form and waiver that you understand the rules that apply and that you agree to abide by them. You will receive an email in response from which you can download either an electronic copy or a hardcopy of your registration. It would be good for you to retain these and present them to the authorities on site if ever requested; however, it is also anticipated that the list of registrants will be stored by Queen Creek Coalition for any future verification.

This is a one-time and free process so once you are registered you are good to go.

You can read more about this process and the announcement at the Queen Creek Coalition website – theqcc.org or the Queen Creek Coalition’s Facebook page - facebook.com/Queen-Creek-Co…

The Queen Creek Coalition facebook.com/15997921405472…> Dec 13, 2016

Jordan White

My favorite climb around! The rock is great. Many people are saying its poor...maybe they need easier routes? Yes some bolts spin and are old, but new bolts are being added often. Many bolts are still solid. Use your judgement. Really few areas to TR but a crap ton of leading and trad routes. There are anchor bolts at the top of many lead routes. Apr 26, 2017

ErikF

There is now signage at The Pond and Atlantis indicating the need for climbers to register.
scontent.fphx1-2.fna.fbcdn.… Jul 23, 2017

Tim Heid
AZ

Does anyone have feelings on sorting this area into a North side and a South side, similar to that of Winslow Wall? Additionally, I'd be happy to sort the routes in order if an Admin wants to allow me that ability or wants me to send them the list... Nov 20, 2017

Aaron Townsley
Ten Sleep WY

FYI the Rap in is pretty sketchy to get to, especially with a full pack. Dec 14, 2017

Nat Kasper

Last Thursday, 1/18, I left a set of quickdraws on "brush your teeth" when a friend had a bad accident and we had to leave for the hospital in a hurry. When I came back to look for them a few days later they were gone.
Please message me if you know what happened to them. I left 5 Grivel Beta Easys and 2 Omegalites at the chains.
Thank you Jan 27, 2018

Michael Hitzel
Phoenix, AZ

Found a silver ring (wedding ring?) at the base of Ali Cat on 6/17/18. If you lost it, let me know! Jun 19, 2018

Heliodor Jalba
San Juan area, PR

Excellent choice for the cold months. Gets plenty of sun in December. Dec 26, 2019

Andrew Park
Grand Junction, CO

Pro tip: This is a great place for Rocky Talkes on the multi-pitches. Road is loud. Apr 3, 2022

Bryan Baker
Surprise, AZ

I judge access trails by how easy/safe it is to get my 7-year-old through them. My son handled this one in about ten minutes. There were some steep drop offs so we harnessed up and tied together (PAS+sling) before heading down. I have him walk in front of me so I can just sit down if he starts to slide. Dec 15, 2022

Kevin Patterson
Lower Hutt, NZ

Great walk in, only 5-10mins. Unfortunately it's ease of access and popularity has left most climbs significantly polished and probably upgraded by 2-3 grades above the published data. Oct 17, 2024