Arizona · Hiking · Pusch Ridge Wilderness · Near Oracle

Cathedral Rock

5.3 mi
round trip
614 ft
climb
6,891 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 14 h ago

Is Cathedral Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Cathedral Rock, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Santa Catalina Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cathedral Rock is a 5.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, part of the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona. The trail rises from about 5,285 feet to 6,891 feet, a climb of 614 feet one way, and is managed by the Forest Service. The most comfortable months for the trip are late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon weather station, about 8.5 miles away, run from highs near 71°F in May to 75°F in September. Winter is much colder, with January highs around 50°F and lows near 34°F. Bikes are not allowed on this trail, and the surface is natural. The route stays open year-round. The Esperero hike lies less than a mile away, and the Mystic Boulders climbing area is about 1.3 miles off. Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalina Mountains) and the Ventana hike are both within about 3 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1

    Campground

    Campground · 4.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Hills Tucson

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 17 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Oracle
  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Cathedral Rock

    Best months: March–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      50° / 34°

    2. Feb

      50° / 33°

    3. Mar

      55° / 37°

    4. Apr

      62° / 43°

    5. May

      71° / 51°

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

    7. Jul

      80° / 63°

    8. Aug

      79° / 62°

    9. Sep

      75° / 59°

    10. Oct

      68° / 49°

    11. Nov

      59° / 40°

    12. Dec

      49° / 33°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon, AZ, 8.5 mi away at 7,027 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Creek Trail #52Photo: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Canada Del OroPhoto: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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