Arizona · Rock climbing · Mount Lemmon · Near Oracle

Cornerstone

6 routes
5.8 – 5.10+
Trad
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Cornerstone open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Cornerstone is a climbing area in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing spots and trails, including Paradox Rock, The Pyramid and Pharaoh, all about 0.1 mile away, and the Bug Springs Trail. The climbing here is all trad, with six routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.10+. The easiest is Family Unit at 5.8, and the hardest is Air Zoner at 5.10+. The routes are named for their own style and grade, and the area is close enough to General Hitchcock campground, about half a mile away, to make an easy base for a day on the rock. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon show May highs around 71°F and October highs around 68°F, while winter highs sit near 50°F. That station sits about 1,160 feet lower than the area, so temperatures at Cornerstone run cooler.

Around this trail

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

    General Hitchcock

    Campground

    Campground · 0.5 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 · 16 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Cornerstone

    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, 0.9 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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 (6)

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