Arizona · Rock climbing · Elgin · Near Whetstone

Main Ampitheater

17 routes
5.9 – 5.12a/b
Sport
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Main Ampitheater is a climbing area on Bureau of Land Management land in the Tucson Field Office of Arizona, about 8 miles from the Elgin weather station. The BLM manages the surrounding land, and the area is known for its sport climbing routes, which sit at a range of grades from 5.9 to 5.12. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Elgin station show April highs around 75°F and October highs around 78°F, while July and August bring highs near 89°F and about 14 wet days a month. That station sits roughly 900 feet lower than the area, so temperatures at the amphitheater run cooler. The routes here are all sport, and the grade range runs from 5.9 up to 5.12. Among the named routes are Jeff-Detector at 5.9, Breakfast is a Feeling at 5.11a, and Tea leaf dancers at 5.12. The Biscuit lies just 0.1 mile away, and The Mustang is about 1.8 miles off. For hiking, Wild Cow is roughly 4.9 miles away and Death Trap about 5.9 miles.

Around this trail

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    Road Canyon Camp Area

    Campground

    Campground · 5.6 mi from the trail

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

    Best time to visit Main Ampitheater

    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

      60° / 29°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      62° / 31°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      68° / 35°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 40°

      2 wet

    5. May

      83° / 48°

      1 wet

    6. Jun

      92° / 57°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 63°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 61°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      85° / 55°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      78° / 45°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      68° / 35°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      59° / 29°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Elgin 5 S, AZ, 8.2 mi away at 4,811 ft. The station sits about 900 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 (17)

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