Arizona · Rock climbing · Scottsdale

Fort McDowell

Fort McDowellPhoto: Carefree Sailor, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
5 routes
5.7 – 5.10-
Trad
Oct–Apr
best months

Fort McDowell is a climbing area in Arizona, about 3 miles from the community of Pinnacle Peak Heights V-VI. It sits among a cluster of named climbing spots, with Half and Half Wall and Lost Wall each about 0.1 mile away and Sven Tower 1 about 0.2 mile off. The area is a compact base for trad climbers, with five routes spread across the surrounding walls. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Pinnacle Peak weather station run from highs around 79°F in April to 83°F in October, while July highs average near 99°F. That station sits about 600 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures on the rock run a little cooler. The routes here are all trad, with grades ranging from 5.7 to 5.10-. Gunslinger is the easiest at 5.7, and Flipper's Testicle Stretch is the hardest at 5.10-. The Feldspar Trail and Sven Towers Trail are both within a mile for a walk off the rock.

  • Best time to go · Oct–Apr

    Best time to visit Fort McDowell

    Best months: October–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

      64° / 43°

    2. Feb

      66° / 45°

    3. Mar

      72° / 49°

    4. Apr

      79° / 54°

    5. May

      87° / 62°

    6. Jun

      96° / 71°

    7. Jul

      99° / 76°

    8. Aug

      98° / 75°

    9. Sep

      94° / 71°

    10. Oct

      83° / 61°

    11. Nov

      72° / 50°

    12. Dec

      63° / 42°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pinnacle Peak, AZ, 4 mi away at 2,565 ft. The station sits about 600 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.

Routes (5)

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