Arizona · Rock climbing · Happy Jack · Near Blue Ridge

The Chossmine

The ChossminePhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
15 routes
5.10c – 5.13+
Sport
May–Oct
best months

Is Chossmine, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name Chossmine, The, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • West Fork Temporary Area Closure - Extension to 2/27/27

    Agency closure covering Coconino National Forest · Order 03-04-00-26-09 · USFS · Coconino National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Coconino National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Chossmine is a climbing area in Arizona's Coconino National Forest, within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. The land is managed by the Forest Service, and the area sits among several other climbing spots that make this corner of the forest a draw for climbers. The climbing here is all sport, with 15 routes ranging from about 5.10c to 5.13+. The median grade is 5.12a, and the hardest route is Dark Horse at 5.13+. Harry Edwards is listed as the first ascender on several of the routes, including Slabster (5.10c), Pack a Wallop (5.11a) and Alien Formations (5.11d). Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 67°F with lows near 34°F in October to highs near 70°F and lows near 38°F in May. That station sits a little lower than the climbing area, so expect temperatures up top to run cooler. The Asylum and Main Wall both lie about 2.5 miles away, and High Life Wall is about 3.1 miles off. For a change from the crags, Leonard Point is a hike roughly 6.3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Elks Picnic Group Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Wellhouse

    Restaurant

    Restaurant · 17 mi from Blue Ridge

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Blue Ridge
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit The Chossmine

    Best months: May–October. 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

      45° / 17°

    2. Feb

      49° / 20°

    3. Mar

      55° / 25°

    4. Apr

      61° / 30°

    5. May

      70° / 38°

    6. Jun

      80° / 47°

    7. Jul

      83° / 55°

    8. Aug

      81° / 53°

    9. Sep

      76° / 46°

    10. Oct

      67° / 34°

    11. Nov

      55° / 24°

    12. Dec

      45° / 17°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Blue Ridge Rs, AZ, 9.1 mi away at 6,880 ft. The station sits about 600 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 (15)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

The AsylumPhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Asylum

~4 min drive

Asylum is a climbing area in Arizona with 1 route.

High Life WallPhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

High Life Wall

~5 min drive

High Life Wall in Arizona has 16 sport climbing routes across 9 grades.

Swiss WallPhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Swiss Wall

~6 min drive

Swiss Wall in Arizona has 12 sport climbing routes across 9 difficulty grades.

Cracker Jack CliffsPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cracker Jack Cliffs

~6 min drive

Cracker Jack Cliffs in Arizona has 59 climbing routes with 23 difficulty grades, offering bouldering, sport, and top-rope styles.

Casino CliffsPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Casino Cliffs

~6 min drive

Casino Cliffs in Arizona has 43 sport climbing routes.

West Clear CreekPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

West Clear Creek

~36 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 6 bouldering routes across 3 grades.

John Doe WallPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

John Doe Wall

~36 min drive

John Doe Wall is a climbing area in Arizona with 5 routes.

Log Jam areaPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Log Jam area

~36 min drive

Log Jam area in Arizona has 6 trad routes with 5 difficulty grades.

Middle SectionPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle Section

~36 min drive

Middle Section in Arizona has 8 climbing routes across 8 difficulty grades.

West Clear CreekPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

West Clear Creek

~37 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 13 traditional climbing routes across 9 difficulty grades.