Arizona · Rock climbing · Mount Lemmon · Near Oracle

Checkerboard

CheckerboardPhoto: Bryan Pocius, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5 routes
5.8 – 5.10a/b
Trad · Sport
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Checkerboard open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Checkerboard, 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.

Checkerboard is a climbing area on the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several named climbing areas, with King, Knight and One Day Wall all about 0.1 mile away. For comfortable weather, aim for spring or fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon show May highs around 71°F and October highs near 68°F, while winter highs sit in the upper 40s. Gordon Hirabayashi Campground is about 1.5 miles away for an overnight stay. Mountain bikers can ride at Bug Springs, under a mile off, or at Sycamore Reservoir, about 1.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Butler Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • 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 Checkerboard

    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, 2.2 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)

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