Arizona · Rock climbing · Phoenix

Big Poppa

7 routes
V2 – V6-7
Bouldering
Nov–Apr
best months

Big Poppa is a bouldering area in Phoenix South Mountain Park, Arizona, on city-managed land. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with The Siblings Boulder, Bittersweet Boulder and Alligator Jaw Boulder all about 0.1 mile away. The Guadalupe Perimeter Trail is 0.2 mile off, and the Young Man Trail is 0.5 mile away. The climbing here is all bouldering, with seven routes ranging from V2 to V6-7. The most common grade is V4, and the hardest is Notorious Direct at V6-7. Crimpy Smalls is the easiest at V2, and Horse Flip and No Money, Mo' Problems are both V4. Winter and early spring are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in South Phoenix show January highs around 67°F and lows near 42°F, while summer highs climb into the low 100s. That station sits about 310 feet lower than the park, so temperatures on the boulders run a little cooler.

  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Big Poppa

    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

      67° / 42°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      71° / 44°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      78° / 48°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      85° / 54°

      2 wet

    5. May

      93° / 61°

      1 wet

    6. Jun

      101° / 69°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      103° / 77°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      101° / 78°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      97° / 71°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      87° / 59°

      2 wet

    11. Nov

      74° / 48°

      2 wet

    12. Dec

      65° / 41°

      3 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Phoenix, AZ, 4.3 mi away at 1,155 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (7)