Arizona · Rock climbing · Mount Lemmon · Near Oracle

Matterhorn

6 routes
5.4 – 5.11
Trad · Sport
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Matterhorn open right now?

Closure in the area

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

The Matterhorn is a climbing area in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits in a cluster of climbing spots, with Skillsaw Crag and Matterhorn Boulder each about 0.2 miles away and Secret Gully about 0.3 miles off, so it works well as a base for exploring the surrounding crags. Six routes are listed in the area, with five of them trad and one sport. Grading runs from 5.4 to 5.11. The Standard Route is the easiest at 5.4, and Horn Torn is the hardest at 5.11. The Hornli route is 5.7 and has a first ascent by Donette & Todd Swain. 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. Summer highs typically reach about 80°F.

Around this trail

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

    South Rim Campgrounds

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Butler Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 15 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Matterhorn

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

Routes (6)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Skillsaw CragPhoto: beglib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Skillsaw Crag

Next door

Skillsaw Crag in Arizona has 5 routes across 5 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

The OutbackPhoto: beglib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Outback

Next door

14 sport climbing routes at Outback, The in Arizona, ranging from moderate to hard.

Loose goosePhoto: beglib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Loose goose

~1 min drive

6-route climbing area in Arizona with sport and trad options.

Green Mt. Buttresses (GMB)Photo: Mcraycroft, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Green Mt. Buttresses (GMB)

~1 min drive

Green Mt. Buttresses (GMB) in Arizona has 6 routes spanning 6 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

Paradox RockPhoto: beglib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Paradox Rock

~1 min drive

Paradox Rock in Arizona has 9 climbing routes across 8 difficulty grades.

SphinxPhoto: beglib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sphinx

~1 min drive

Sphinx in Arizona has 14 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering sport and traditional styles.

Upper Crag (7 routes)Photo: beglib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Upper Crag (7 routes)

~2 min drive

Upper Crag is a sport climbing crag in Arizona with 7 routes.

Lower CragPhoto: beglib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lower Crag

~2 min drive

Lower Crag in Arizona has 6 sport climbing routes across 5 difficulty grades.

Wailing WallPhoto: 666isMONEY ☮ ♥ & ☠, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wailing Wall

~2 min drive

Wailing Wall in Arizona has 8 climbing routes across 7 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Lizard RockPhoto: All Fronts Quiet, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lizard Rock

~2 min drive

Lizard Rock in Arizona has 20 climbing routes across 19 difficulty grades.