NEW Homestead Guidebook

The Homestead guidebook has sat on my computer since its inception in 2013. Slowly I chipped away at the glam shots, the layout, and the assurance that climbers would have access in the future. Before that, our crew was too busy establishing routes to even consider this project.

I am happy to announce it is finally complete! I also want to thank the community that helped me take it to the finish line with amazing stoke to rig ropes, test out beta, and patiently count bolts for me. 

Order now in the bookstore on my website for Cochise: Homestead Guidebook and it will ship mid-November.

May this book lead you to some of the finest limestone climbing in central Arizona and a place that held me captive for many of my best climbing years, Tanya

Fantastic! I just ordered a copy.

Hendrixson wrote:

Fantastic! I just ordered a copy.

Thanks for sharing sooooooooooo many good days of climbing, 4x4 driving, and the start of this project .  I hope you take your little girls there one day and show them all the things that make the place so special and how passionate you were about it.

It's climbing time in the desert! Congratulations for getting this finished Tanya. Just placed my order!

Anna Brown wrote:

It's climbing time in the desert! Congratulations for getting this finished Tanya. Just placed my order!

Thanks Anna, hoping to see you again this winter...in the desert or on ice.

It seems like an Xmas trip is coming together now for Cochise instead of Mexico for me... I'll text you dates once I know more to see if you'll be home. And we should absolutely put together another Ouray trip for February!

Ordering now!  Even though I don't live in AZ anymore it was high on my list of favorite spots!

Jeremy Bultman wrote:

Ordering now!  Even though I don't live in AZ anymore it was high on my list of favorite spots!

Hope the book brings back some good memories and maybe inspires a road trip, T

Guidebooks are in stock. Last day to ship before Christmas is Dec 11.

Received mine this week.  Beautiful, full color pages!  Now I need to actually make the trip.

Hello, will be making my first trip to the Homestead next week.  Is there any place to pick up the guidebook in Globe?  I'll be coming from Moab so I suspect that might be the only place on the way to grab a copy.  Also, I'll be pulling my camper (which is lifted).  I'm assuming I should be able to find a spot to camp before the road gets too rough?  I can't seem to find too many maps or pics of the camping areas but am aware that there are two AF areas.  

Thanks!

I received my copy of this beautiful guidebook. Nice work Tanya! It was fun to remember the many days I've spent at the Homestead.

So, it looks like the books started to ship. Are people still waiting on theirs?  My order went in on 10/18/23. 

ben jammin wrote:

Hello, will be making my first trip to the Homestead next week.  Is there any place to pick up the guidebook in Globe?  I'll be coming from Moab so I suspect that might be the only place on the way to grab a copy.  Also, I'll be pulling my camper (which is lifted).  I'm assuming I should be able to find a spot to camp before the road gets too rough?  I can't seem to find too many maps or pics of the camping areas but am aware that there are two AF areas.  

Thanks!

I was reminiscing on my visit to The Homestead in Feb 2019 after reading about the new guidebook. I appreciate the hard work of Access Fund and all those involved in developing !

 I’m sure the guidebook strongly emphasizes the fragile nature of the landscape and best practices for camping there. My recollection was to not underestimate the seriousness or steepness of some of the sections of the 4x4 access road and the need for proper clearance. I would not suggest towing anything through the steeper sections nor driving any vehicle with less than high clearance 4x4 with 4-low capability (Subaru ? No I wouldn’t though I’m sure it’s been done.) At the time I thought I might travel there from California using my motorcycle w/ panniers carrying climbing and camping gear… in reflection I’m VERY glad I didn’t attempt it.

I was thankful to share the place with only a few groups camping nearest the trailhead at that time. I’m not sure that area can sustainably support a large number of campers due to  the limited number of available campsites. The above is a photo of one of the first campsites encountered along the road (There are 2 tent platforms and 2/3 parking spots at that first pullout… Thats it !) Location in photo is possibly the farthest campsite from the first routes of the crag. (45 minute hike  to 1 + hour hike ?) There was also an area beyond this which seemed more suitable and open for shared camping ? When there we were informed Not to set up camp at that location as it was an area of private property between the two gates ? This was very confusing at the time and we wound up moving camp elsewhere. The use of Wag Bags cannot be over-emphasized… 

I’m not a local to this area and my comments are only meant to be supportive to future access. Camping overnight or for a few days at the upper reaches of the Homestead access road is vastly different logistical experience than some of the Cochise area sites.

ben jammin wrote:

Hello, will be making my first trip to the Homestead next week.  Is there any place to pick up the guidebook in Globe?  I'll be coming from Moab so I suspect that might be the only place on the way to grab a copy.  Also, I'll be pulling my camper (which is lifted).  I'm assuming I should be able to find a spot to camp before the road gets too rough?  I can't seem to find too many maps or pics of the camping areas but am aware that there are two AF areas.  

Thanks!

There is a nice flat area to camp at the bottom of the hill immediately after you pull off the highway. I’ve camped here before with folks that had low clearance vehicles. The worst part of the road is a steep set of off camber switchbacks not too far beyond that initial flat area. Don’t try and take a trailer up this. The road improves drastically not far beyond the switchbacks but that obstacle is enough to warrant the high clearance. I’ve seen a Subaru back there but it was lifted with big tires. It’s easy enough to camp near the highway and shuttle in to the end of the road to climb for the day. 

Flex wrote:

There is a nice flat area to camp at the bottom of the hill immediately after you pull off the highway. I’ve camped here before with folks that had low clearance vehicles. The worst part of the road is a steep set of off camber switchbacks not too far beyond that initial flat area. Don’t try and take a trailer up this. The road improves drastically not far beyond the switchbacks but that obstacle is enough to warrant the high clearance. I’ve seen a Subaru back there but it was lifted with big tires. It’s easy enough to camp near the highway and shuttle in to the end of the road to climb for the day. 

Much appreciated, Flex.  Sounds like that's what we'll be doing.  I kinda gathered the same from my Google Earth sleuthing but was hoping to get a bit farther.  No worries, I appreciate the beta.

Flex wrote:

There is a nice flat area to camp at the bottom of the hill immediately after you pull off the highway. I’ve camped here before with folks that had low clearance vehicles. The worst part of the road is a steep set of off camber switchbacks not too far beyond that initial flat area. Don’t try and take a trailer up this. The road improves drastically not far beyond the switchbacks but that obstacle is enough to warrant the high clearance. I’ve seen a Subaru back there but it was lifted with big tires. It’s easy enough to camp near the highway and shuttle in to the end of the road to climb for the day. 

The road past the switchbacks has significantly degraded overtime. There are sections that are quite rough all the way to the lower trailhead.    

ben jammin wrote:

Hello, will be making my first trip to the Homestead next week.  Is there any place to pick up the guidebook in Globe?  I'll be coming from Moab so I suspect that might be the only place on the way to grab a copy.  Also, I'll be pulling my camper (which is lifted).  I'm assuming I should be able to find a spot to camp before the road gets too rough?  I can't seem to find too many maps or pics of the camping areas but am aware that there are two AF areas.  

Thanks!

Not sure why you would want to go to the Homestead over Moab, but to each his own.  Red Rocks would be a much better destination IMHO and the weather in RR has been amazing over the last 1+ months.  The Homestead is cool and all, but not a destination area.  

Ronnie Miller wrote:

Not sure why you would want to go to the Homestead over Moab, but to each his own.  Red Rocks would be a much better destination IMHO and the weather in RR has been amazing over the last 1+ months.  The Homestead is cool and all, but not a destination area.  

Well I live in Moab.. soo...  Not much sport climbing this time of year around here.  Done many many trips to RR and am kind of over the sport climbing there.  We're only there for a week so hopefully there's enough to keep us busy.  Really just hoping those tufa's are dry with some rain in the forecast.  

ben jammin wrote:

Well I live in Moab.. soo...  Not much sport climbing this time of year around here.  Done many many trips to RR and am kind of over the sport climbing there.  We're only there for a week so hopefully there's enough to keep us busy.  Really just hoping those tufa's are dry with some rain in the forecast.  

They've been bone dry all season, so they should be good even with this litlle front pushing through.  

Ben,
We’re headed there Saturday. When are you arriving? We’ll probably have the place to ourselves. The road keeps lots of people away. It’s a special place.