Arizona · Rock climbing · Soldier Camp · Near Oracle

Mariposita

12 routes
5.7 – 5.12-
Sport
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Mariposita open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Mariposita is a sport climbing area in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and riding spots, with TriTower just 0.1 mile away and Roadside Boulder and Upper Wall each about 0.6 mile off. The area has 12 sport routes, with grades ranging from 5.7 to 5.12-. The median grade is 5.10-, and the hardest route is Sting Like A Bee at 5.12-. City Girls is the easiest, at 5.7, and Monarch is 5.10a. The routes are all sport, so they are bolted rather than traditional. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon show May highs around 71°F and October highs around 68°F, with lows near 50°F. That station sits about 467 feet lower than the area, so temperatures at Mariposita run a little cooler. Spencer Canyon campground is 0.8 mile away, and Whitetail Campground is 1.1 mile away. Mountain bikers can ride Sunset Trail #90, about 0.4 mile off, and Crystal Spring, about 0.7 mile away.

Around this trail

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

    Bigelow/Bear Wallow

    Campground

    Campground · 0.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Sawmill Run

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 12 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Mariposita

    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, 3.7 mi away at 7,027 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (12)

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Echo

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Trundle Pinnacle

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The SteepPhoto: Debbie, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Not So SteepPhoto: Debbie, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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CLIMB

Roadside Boulder

~1 min drive

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