Arizona · Rock climbing · Tucson · Near Oracle

Neptune

40 routes
5.6 – 5.13a
Trad · Sport
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Neptune open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Neptune is a 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 spots, with Aegir and Poseidon both about 0.1 mile away. The area has 40 routes, with 33 of them trad and 7 sport. The YDS grades run from 5.6 up to 5.13, and the median is 5.11. Among the named routes are Layback 'n Cruz at 5.6, Warm and Free at 5.10-, and Catch the Wave at 5.13, a sport route first climbed by Jim Waugh and Ray Ringle in 1990. For timing, the most comfortable months are typically May and September, when typical averages from the Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon weather station run from highs around 71°F to 75°F. That station sits about 600 feet lower than the area, so temperatures here run a little cooler. Nearby, Red Ridge Trail #2 and South Park are each about 0.9 mile away, and Spencer Canyon campground is about 3.9 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Bigelow/Bear Wallow

    Campground

    Campground · 3.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Iron Door Restaurant

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    Viewpoint · 10 mi from Oracle

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Neptune

    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, 7.1 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 600 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 (40)

Draggin' BookFA: John Steiger, EV5.10Rapture of the SteepFA: John Steiger, Rich Thompson, Don Gallagher 19775.10ShanasheeFA: Rich Thompson, Tim Kelly 19775.10Cheap ThrillsFA: John Steiger, Don Gallagher, Ray Ringle5.10-Cream of BelayFA: JS, RR, SB, DG, '765.10-Finding GuinnessFA: JSt, EFR, Clay Mansfield,'135.10-Finding NemoFA: JSt,EFR,Cory Ellison,'135.10-Warm and FreeFA: Mike McEwan, Steve Grossman, Dave Baker, Rich Thompson5.10-Beach ForeplayFA: Luis Cisneros and Andy Bennett5.10+ShanadooFA: EFR, DBr 19995.10+Land SharkFA: Marcy and Geir5.10bTide Me OverFA: CM, KF, 20135.10c/dJimmy DeanFA: EFR, Scott McNamara5.11Phillipino Fighting FishFA: EFR, Jill Hadap, Jim Scott,'135.11Salty DogsFA: EFR, Manny Rangel,'135.11ScimitarFA: John Steiger, Herb North 19815.11Swept AwayFA: Ray Ringle, Chip Chace, 1980. Direct finish: Jim Waugh, 19895.11Scuffle and Dust CoughFA: CC, RR ('80)5.11-Free FallFA: EFR, Geir Hundal,'125.11+NaranjaFA: JS and RR5.11+Arc Of A DiverFA: EFR, A Kirkpatrick, Clay Mansfield, Geir Hundal,'135.11cAgent Orange (with direct start)FA: Ray Ringle and Herb North, Jr.5.12Muscle ShoalsFA: EFR,Clay Mansfield,Drew Munson,'135.12Reef StrickenFA: EFR,JSt,'135.12Waugh DirectFA: Jim Waugh, 19895.12Clip TideFA: EFR, Geir Hundal, Aleix Serrat-Capdevila,'125.12-Endless EdgeFA: EFR,Clay Mansfield,JSt,Andy Bennet,'135.12-UnfathomableFA: EFR,Clay Mansfield,'135.12-World-class ChossFA: ABt, Mike Broad, Jon Reeves, Jared Guglielmo, '195.12-Ma'adimFA: Ray Ringle, John Steiger, 1983. 2nd pitch dir: Jim Waugh, Eric Rhicard, 19885.12aPrime Rib of RURPFA: Ray Ringle, John Steiger, 1978. FFA: Clay Mansfield, Geir Hundal, 20135.12aStop Making SenseFA: John Steiger, Ray Ringle, 19865.12bTrend Generally UpwardsFA: Luis Cisneros, Eric Ruljancich, Andy Bennett '165.12bVisceral PullFA: CM,EFR,AB,GH5.12bBooted from the GalleyFA: Andy Bennett, Luis Cisneros, Vince Bates5.12cCatch the WaveFA: Jim Waugh, Ray Ringle 19905.13Red TideFA: Vincent Bates (Luis Cisneros, Eric Ruljancich, Andy Bennett, Aleix Serrat, Peter Piek, Luke Bertelsen)5.13aLayback 'n CruzFA: Neil Gehrels & Tom Gehrels 20065.6Where Eaglets DareFA: Rich Thompson, Reen Thompson, 19755.7JawsFA: Dave Baker, Rich Thompson5.8

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