Arizona · Rock climbing · Apache Junction · Near Superior

The Motherlode

The MotherlodePhoto: neepster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
11 routes
5.6 – 5.11
Trad
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Motherlode, The open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Tonto National Forest.

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

The Motherlode is a climbing area in the Superstition Wilderness, part of the Mesa Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits within designated wilderness. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Apache Junction show March highs around 77°F and November highs around 76°F, while July and August average in the mid-100s. That station sits about 1,600 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures up high run cooler. The routes here are all trad, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.11. Among them are Pyrite Corner at 5.6, Pay Dirt at 5.9, and Sonoran Gold at 5.11. Northwest Pinnacles and Los Bandito Towers are both about 0.2 miles away, and Prospectors Trail #57 is about half a mile off. For an overnight stay, Tortilla Campground is about 6.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Goldfield Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 2.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    On your way back · 6 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Glass Blowers

    Gallery

    On your way back · 9 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Superior
  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit The Motherlode

    Best months: November–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

      67° / 43°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      70° / 44°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      77° / 48°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      85° / 53°

      2 wet

    5. May

      93° / 60°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      103° / 69°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      105° / 77°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      104° / 76°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      99° / 71°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      88° / 60°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      76° / 50°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      66° / 42°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ, 1.6 mi away at 2,070 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (11)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Northwest PinnaclesPhoto: Sean Foster, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Northwest Pinnacles

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7 climbing routes in Arizona, difficulty grades 3, trad style

Los Bandito TowersPhoto: Sean Foster, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Los Bandito Towers

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The IcebergPhoto: Sean Foster, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Iceberg

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Iceberg, The is a climbing area in Arizona with 6 routes.

Suction GullyPhoto: The3dStudioDotCom, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Suction Gully

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Siphon DrawPhoto: The3dStudioDotCom, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Siphon Draw

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Siphon Draw in Arizona has 7 trad climbing routes across 6 difficulty grades.

Forrest SpiresPhoto: The3dStudioDotCom, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Forrest Spires

~1 min drive

Forrest Spires is a climbing crag in Arizona with 5 routes.

Weavers NeedlePhoto: Deborah Lee Soltesz from Flagstaff, AZ, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Weavers Needle

~9 min drive

Weavers Needle in Arizona has 6 traditional climbing routes across 4 grades.

Greevers' NeedlePhoto: Z Glyph, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Greevers' Needle

~9 min drive

Greevers' Needle in Arizona has 17 climbing routes across 11 difficulty grades, offering bouldering, sport, and trad.

Carney Springs WallPhoto: David Taylor from Coeur d Alene, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Carney Springs Wall

~10 min drive

Carney Springs Wall in Arizona has 5 routes ranging from moderate to hard, offering sport and trad climbing.

Nosepicker PinnaclesPhoto: David Taylor from Coeur d Alene, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Nosepicker Pinnacles

~11 min drive

6 traditional climbing routes at Nosepicker Pinnacles, Arizona.