Arizona · Rock climbing · Tucson

Mendoza Canyon (aka Coyote Domes)

Mendoza Canyon (aka Coyote Domes)Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
1 route
5.11-
Trad
Oct–Apr
best months

Mendoza Canyon, also known as Coyote Domes, is a climbing area in Arizona's Coyote Mountains Wilderness, within the Bureau of Land Management's Tucson Field Office. The canyon is a single route, "Lock and Load," a trad climb on the 5.11- grade, and it sits about a mile from two other climbing areas, Elephant Dome and Table Dome. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 66°F and lows near 34°F in January to highs in the mid-80s and lows in the low 50s in October. That station sits roughly 1,300 feet below the canyon, so temperatures up high run cooler. The closest neighbors are Elephant Dome, about 0.6 miles away, and Table Dome, about 0.7 miles away. For a hike, the West Coyote Mountain Trail lies about 6 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Oct–Apr

    Best time to visit Mendoza Canyon (aka Coyote Domes)

    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

      66° / 34°

    2. Feb

      68° / 36°

    3. Mar

      75° / 40°

    4. Apr

      82° / 45°

    5. May

      90° / 53°

    6. Jun

      99° / 63°

    7. Jul

      99° / 70°

    8. Aug

      96° / 69°

    9. Sep

      94° / 63°

    10. Oct

      85° / 51°

    11. Nov

      74° / 39°

    12. Dec

      65° / 33°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Anvil Rch, AZ, 8 mi away at 2,759 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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 (1)