Arizona · Rock climbing · Payson · Near Blue Ridge

Christopher Creek Gorge

18 routes
5.7 – 5.12a
Trad · Sport
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Christopher Creek Gorge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Christopher Creek Gorge, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Christopher Creek Gorge is a climbing area in the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Exit Gorge and Yodel Wall each about 0.1 mile away. The area has 18 routes, 14 of them trad and 4 sport, with grades ranging from 5.7 to 5.12a. The median is 5.10a. Among the named routes are Sink or Swim at 5.7, Adam Rib at 5.8+ and Heavens Touch at 5.11a. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Pleasant Valley show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 72°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 9 to 10 a month. Christopher Creek Campground and Christopher Creek Group are both about 1.6 miles away. Box Canyon Trail is 0.5 mile off, and Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area is about 7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Christopher Creek Group

    Campground

    Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Blue Ridge
  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Christopher Creek Gorge

    Best months: March–May and September–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

      53° / 25°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      56° / 27°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      61° / 31°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 36°

      3 wet

    5. May

      76° / 42°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 49°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 59°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 59°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 52°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 40°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 30°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 25°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pleasant Valley, AZ, 15.7 mi away at 5,183 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (18)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

TombstonePhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tombstone

~22 min drive

Tombstone in Arizona has 7 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Stewart PeakPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Stewart Peak

~23 min drive

Stewart Peak in Arizona has 20 climbing routes across 13 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Stewart PocketPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Stewart Pocket

~23 min drive

Stewart Pocket in Arizona has 16 climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades, featuring bouldering pads, top-rope, and trad.

John Rae DomePhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

John Rae Dome

~24 min drive

John Rae Dome in Arizona has 10 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.

Tonto ButtressPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tonto Buttress

~25 min drive

Tonto Buttress in Arizona has 5 climbing routes across 4 grades, offering sport and trad styles.

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

West Clear Creek

~45 min drive

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

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

West Clear Creek

~45 min drive

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

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

Log Jam area

~45 min drive

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

Whipper WallPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Whipper Wall

~22 min drive

Whipper Wall in Arizona has 5 routes ranging from easy to hard, offering sport and trad climbing.

CLIMB

Yodel Wall

Next door

Yodel Wall in Arizona has 5 climbing routes ranging from 5 difficulty grades.