Arizona · Rock climbing · Scottsdale

Pinnacle Peak

Pinnacle PeakPhoto: SocialMediaAdventure, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
44 routes
5.0 – 5.12b
Trad · Sport · Mixed
Oct–Apr
best months

Pinnacle Peak is a climbing area in Arizona, about a mile from the town of Desert Highlands. It sits among a cluster of boulders and crags, with the AMC Boulder climbing area just 0.1 mile away and the Cactus Flower West climbing area about 0.2 mile off. The Pinacle Peak Trail, a hike, starts about 0.2 mile away. The area has 44 climbing routes, with trad the most common style. The YDS grades run from 5.0 up to 5.12b, and the hardest route is Lost Nuts at 5.12b. Among the named routes are Walk Up at 5.0, Parallax View at 5.7, and Pecker Party at 5.10b, a sport route. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show April highs around 79°F and October highs around 83°F, while July highs average about 99°F.

  • Best time to go · Oct–Apr

    Best time to visit Pinnacle Peak

    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

      64° / 43°

    2. Feb

      66° / 45°

    3. Mar

      72° / 49°

    4. Apr

      79° / 54°

    5. May

      87° / 62°

    6. Jun

      96° / 71°

    7. Jul

      99° / 76°

    8. Aug

      98° / 75°

    9. Sep

      94° / 71°

    10. Oct

      83° / 61°

    11. Nov

      72° / 50°

    12. Dec

      63° / 42°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pinnacle Peak, AZ, 0.2 mi away at 2,565 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (44)

Walk Up5.0HadesFA: '76, Larry Treiber, Chuck Parker, Peter Noebles5.10-Never Never LandFA: Waugh, John Dargis '795.10+Powder PuffFA: Mish, Black '78, direct finish Waugh, LB '795.10+Angels On My Mind5.10aGive Me an IdeaFA: ?? Tell me and I'll fill in5.10aUnknown, left of Palo Verde5.10aDried Oatmeal5.10bLuna5.10bPecker PartyFA: Jason Sands and Chuck Hill5.10bDeath Watch5.10cFear of Flying5.10cBeeGee5.11DeliveranceFA: Andy Embick '79, (first clean ascent Jay Anderson '85)5.11Dungeons and Dragons (AKA Burnt Toast)FA: Jim Waugh 19855.11Beezlebub5.11aFear of Crying5.11aSidewinder5.11a/bLesson in DisciplineFA: Brad Smith, Eric Johnson '815.11b/cFlight 5.11FA: Jason Sandidge, 19865.11cShalaylay Direct5.11cFlight 5.11 Direct5.12aRossetti Rose5.12aLost Nuts5.12bGarber's ChimneyFA: Jim Garber 19655.3Beer Route5.4Deep Throat5.4South CrackFA: Ed George, Bill McMorris 19475.5Brown OutFA: Doug Rickard, Chuck Parker, 19735.6Name It5.6Spiral StaircaseFA: Jack Turnage, Bill Sewrey, 19655.6Just Standing Around5.7Parallax ViewFA: Dave Hodson, Herb North, Jr., Phil Armadas 19765.7Peg Route5.7Tongue of TimeFA: Chuck Parker5.7Birthday PartyFA: Dana Hollister. Chuck Parker. Pete Noebels, 19745.7+Chutes and Ladders5.7+Baby WoolseyFA: Larry Bratten, Perry Teeters5.8Chug A Lug5.8Silhouette5.8Voluptuous Ham(ster)FA: Chuck Parker, 1973--5.5 (chimney) Jim Waugh, Jim Zahnm 1985--5.8 (Arete)5.828th Day5.9Ezy RiderFA: Rick Fritz, Dana Hollister, Herb North Jr., 19765.9Vanishing PointFA: John Williams, John Ficker, 1978 (P1) Chuck Parker, Dana Hollister, Glenn Short, 1979 (P2)5.9

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