Arizona · Rock climbing · Tucson · Near Oracle

The Steep

The SteepPhoto: Debbie, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
23 routes
5.8+ – 5.12a/b
Sport
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Steep, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Steep, The, 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 Steep is a climbing area in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, part of the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona. The Forest Service manages the land, and the nearest town is Soldier Camp, about a mile away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Lemmon run from highs around 71°F and lows near 51°F in May to highs around 68°F and lows near 49°F in October. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the Steep, so temperatures up high run a little cooler. Several other climbing areas sit right next door. Not So Steep is just 0.1 mile away, and Delta Dome and Echo are each about 0.2 mile off. For an overnight base, Spencer Canyon campground is roughly 0.9 mile away.

Around this trail

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

    Spencer Canyon

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Sawmill Run

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 13 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit The Steep

    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, 4.1 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 500 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 (23)

Two Birds Too StonedFA: Tony Lusk, Glenn Todd??5.10AshesFA: JShiefman, JBaker, May 20125.10+BunkweedFA: Glenn Todd, Tony Lusk circa 19985.10aBlue NoteFA: JBaker, JShiefman, June 20125.11First Blood SportFA: Steve Johnson 20015.11-SpidermanFA: JBaker, Cres "Snyderman" Snyder, Aug 19995.11+Lusk for LifeFA: Tony Lusk & Glenn Todd5.11a/bSE FaceFA: Tony Lusk ? Glenn Todd ?5.11a/bStone FreeFA: JBaker, EFR, Murray Freestone, June 20035.11a/bMini-meFA: CSnyder, JBaker, May 20015.11bGreen Monster/George of the Jungle Var.FA: Tony Lusk, Glenn Todd5.11b/cFat BastardFA: JShiefman, CSnyder, JBaker, Oct 19995.11cStepping Into Blue SkyFA: p1 - maybe TL (using the long-gone tree), p2 - JBak July '08, p1 + p2 back-to-back, Josie Wodraska, June 20125.11cGoldmemberFA: Craig Kafura, Mark Hathaway, May 20025.11dDelt MeltFA: JBaker, CSnyder, JShiefman, Oct. 19995.12Dr. EvilFA: JBaker, Miles Kunkel, CSnyder, JShiefman, Darek, July 19995.12Johnny RottenFA: JBaker, CSnyder, Aug 20005.12Tony's Route AKA Cres-sentFA: Cres Snyder, John Baker, Joe Shiefman5.12Glenn's RouteFA: Dean Brault, JSt,5.12aSlappin the JohnsonFA: Steve Johnson, July 20015.12aTen Years AfterFA: JBaker, JShiefman, Dylan Cooper, Oct 20075.12a/bUnknown5.8+Chossy Offwidth5.9

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