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Tollgate Pass

Arizona > Southern Arizona > Black Hills

Description

This is a volcanic slot canyon in the desert south of Morenci. Narrow and deep, the canyon stays remains much cooler than the surroundings, and offers a pleasant destination from Safford for those looking for a little local crag. The rock is a nearly glass smooth at the bottom, but is quite porous and fractured higher up.

About a dozen short routes exist ranging 5.9-5.12

Getting There

Park on the side of 191 near the top of a hill where you'll find a break in the fence, or crawl underneath Hike down a thin path to a drainage which you follow to the floor of the canyon and head left. About 400m walk or 10 minutes

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The view from the entrance to the canyon. August 2013.
[Hide Photo] The view from the entrance to the canyon. August 2013.
View of West Tollgate after the fence
[Hide Photo] View of West Tollgate after the fence
Parking on the side of the road from Safford
[Hide Photo] Parking on the side of the road from Safford
The entrance to the Tollgate Pass routes. The routes start here, and continue up the winding crevice. As stated above, the rock is in the shade and very smooth. The trail is very loose rock, but there are plenty of cairns leading here
[Hide Photo] The entrance to the Tollgate Pass routes. The routes start here, and continue up the winding crevice. As stated above, the rock is in the shade and very smooth. The trail is very loose rock, but t…

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Neal M.
[Hide Comment] Any idea why some of the hangers are missing off of the bolts, but the nuts are still loosely on the bolts? I will more than gladly purchase some hangers and put them back on the routes, I'm just curious if they were taken off for a reason Jul 13, 2013
Tanner Pursley
Thatcher Arizona
[Hide Comment] Looks like there has been some development in this area and nearby cliffs. Id love to join the silent army around here.

We noticed at least 2 newly bolted routes not including top roping anchors on formations closer to the road. Apr 24, 2020
Will McConaughy
Tucson, AZ
[Hide Comment] Additional directions for access:
Park on the east side of 191 going from Safford to Morenci, make sure to park before you drive past an obvious cliff along the highway. The trail starts up the embankment and past the fence. Couldn't find an obvious break in the fence, but it wasn't hard to army crawl underneath. Tons of cairns to follow! Jan 12, 2021
Drew Stauffer
Safford AZ
[Hide Comment] Next time I go out I'll try to remember to take some pictures of where to park. Area is fun if you want to hang out with friends and do some climbing. Also some top rope routes set up on the obvious cliff Will mentions. Aug 31, 2021