Arizona · Rock climbing · Tucson · Near Oracle

Alcove

5 routes
V0 – V4
Bouldering
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Alcove open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Alcove is a bouldering area in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, part of the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits within designated wilderness. The climbing here is all bouldering, with five routes spread across the V0 to V4 range. The easiest are Bilac and Highline at V0, and the hardest is Crouching Tiger Hidden Dyno at V4. The routes are close together, with Chossy, The Cave and Roof each about 0.1 mile away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show March highs around 74°F and October highs around 86°F, while June and July average about 100°F. For an overnight stay, Gordon Hirabayashi Campground is about 2.3 miles away, and Molino Basin Group is about 3.1 miles away. Mountain bikers can head to the Soldier trailhead, about a mile off, or the Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39, about 1.9 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 20 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Alcove

    Best months: November–April. 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

      65° / 41°

    2. Feb

      68° / 43°

    3. Mar

      74° / 48°

    4. Apr

      82° / 54°

    5. May

      91° / 62°

    6. Jun

      101° / 72°

    7. Jul

      100° / 74°

    8. Aug

      98° / 73°

    9. Sep

      94° / 69°

    10. Oct

      86° / 59°

    11. Nov

      75° / 48°

    12. Dec

      65° / 41°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Saguaro Np, AZ, 9.3 mi away at 3,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

The Expansion Pack.Photo: vaxomatic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

The Expansion Pack.

~4 min drive

6-route climbing area in Arizona with sport and trad options on 6 difficulty grades.

Lockdown RockPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lockdown Rock

~4 min drive

Lockdown Rock in Arizona has 10 sport climbing routes across 8 difficulty grades.

Train StationPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Train Station

~4 min drive

Train Station in Arizona has 15 climbing routes across 11 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Choo Choo RockPhoto: vaxomatic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Choo Choo Rock

~4 min drive

Choo Choo Rock in Arizona has 7 climbing routes with 5 difficulty grades, offering sport and trad options.

Cactus RanchPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cactus Ranch

~4 min drive

Cactus Ranch is a climbing area in Arizona with 5 sport routes.

CLIMB

Left Hand Wall

Next door

Left Hand Wall in Arizona has 11 routes with mixed, sport, and trad climbing on 6 grades.

CLIMB

Backhand Wall

Next door

Backhand Wall in Arizona has 10 routes with 8 difficulty grades, offering mixed and sport climbing.

CLIMB

Forehand Wall

Next door

5 routes at Forehand Wall in Arizona range from moderate to hard difficulty, offering sport and trad climbing.

CLIMB

Right Hand Wall & Hairpin

Next door

Right Hand Wall & Hairpin in Arizona has 9 mixed and sport climbing routes across 6 grades.

CLIMB

Hairpin Turn Area

Next door

Hairpin Turn Area in Arizona has 9 climbing routes with bouldering pads and sport.