Arizona · Rock climbing · Sedona · Near Kachina Village

The Mace

The MacePhoto: On^ste82, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
8 routes
5.9+ – 5.11-
Trad · Top Rope
Oct–May
best months

Is Mace, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name Mace, The, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

The Mace is a climbing area in the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and riding spots, with South Mesa and North Mesa both about 0.1 mile away and the Hardline mountain biking trail just as close. The area's climbing is all trad, with one top-rope route, and the grades run from 5.9+ up to 5.11. The Original Route, first climbed in 1957 by Bob Kamps, Dave Rearick and TM Herbert, is the oldest of the eight routes listed. The Bruce Carson Memorial Route and Wind, Sand, and Stars are both 5.10, and Little Big Man is the hardest at 5.11-. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sedona show April highs around 75°F and October highs around 79°F, while July averages reach 97°F. Camping is close by at Crescent Moon Ramada, about 1.1 mile away, and Chavez Crossing is about 1.9 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Crescent Moon Ranch Cabin

    Campground

    The next 8 weekends are full on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Mesa Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Stan Rose Images

    Gallery

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village
  • Best time to go · Oct–May

    Best time to visit The Mace

    Best months: October–May. 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

      58° / 34°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      61° / 36°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      67° / 40°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 44°

      3 wet

    5. May

      84° / 53°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      94° / 61°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      97° / 68°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      94° / 67°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      89° / 61°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      79° / 51°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      67° / 41°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      58° / 33°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sedona, AZ, 5.5 mi away at 4,220 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (8)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

South MesaPhoto: On^ste82, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Mesa

Next door

South Mesa in Arizona has 6 trad climbing routes with 6 difficulty grades.

North MesaPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Mesa

Next door

North Mesa in Arizona has 8 trad routes across 7 difficulty grades.

Cathedral Rock AreaPhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cathedral Rock Area

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Cathedral Rock Area in Arizona has 3 trad climbing routes.

Village of Oak CreekPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Village of Oak Creek

~3 min drive

6 routes, 5 grades, sport and trad climbing at Village of Oak Creek in Arizona.

The PlanetariumPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

The Planetarium

~3 min drive

Planetarium in Arizona has 15 climbing routes across 13 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Lower BeachPhoto: jasonwoodhead23, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Beach

~3 min drive

Lower Beach in Arizona has 5 climbing routes across 5 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Upper BeachPhoto: Andrew Gnias, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Upper Beach

~3 min drive

Upper Beach in Arizona has 12 climbing routes across 8 grades.

Genetic WallPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Genetic Wall

~3 min drive

Genetic Wall in Arizona has 9 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Bell Rock / Courthouse ButtePhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bell Rock / Courthouse Butte

~3 min drive

Bell Rock / Courthouse Butte in Arizona has 2 trad climbing routes.

VaticanPhoto: Andrew Gnias, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Vatican

~3 min drive

Vatican in Arizona has 6 climbing routes, 5.8 to 5.11c, sport and trad.