Arizona · Rock climbing · Cochise · Near Whetstone

East Stronghold Bouldering

6 routes
V0+ – V8
Bouldering
Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
best months

Is East Stronghold Bouldering open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Coronado National Forest.

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

East Stronghold Bouldering is a bouldering area in Arizona's Coronado National Forest, within the Douglas Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the boulders sit among several other climbing areas and trails, making this corner of the forest a compact cluster for climbers and hikers alike. The climbing here is all bouldering, with six routes spread across the area. Grades run from V0+ to V8, so there's something for climbers of all abilities. Among the named routes are Spiritual Claymation at V0+ and Clam Jam at V8, with Hot Beef Injection at V6 and Iornwood at V5-6. The Klettergarten (Gilly Monsters) and the 36th Chamber of Shaolin are both about a tenth of a mile away, and Stronghold Dome is about 0.2 miles off. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. At the nearby Pearce - Sunsites weather station, typical averages run from highs around 70°F in March to about 80°F in October, while July and August average highs in the low 90s. The station sits about 800 feet lower than the bouldering, so expect temperatures at the rocks to run cooler.

Around this trail

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

    Cochise Stronghold

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Wendy's

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    O.K. Corral

    Museum

    Museum · 16 mi from Whetstone

    Livery and horse corral in Tombstone, Arizona (1879-1888)

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Whetstone
  • Best time to go · Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit East Stronghold Bouldering

    Best months: February–April and October–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

      60° / 29°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      64° / 32°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      70° / 37°

      3 wet

    4. Apr

      78° / 42°

      2 wet

    5. May

      86° / 50°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      95° / 59°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      93° / 65°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 64°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      88° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      80° / 46°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      69° / 35°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      59° / 29°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pearce - Sunsites, AZ, 7.7 mi away at 4,350 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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