Arizona · Rock climbing · Gold Canyon · Near Superior

Threading The Needle

5.0
grade
Trad Gear
style
Oct–Apr
best months

Is Threading The Needle 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.

One of six routes catalogued at Miners Needle, this climb sits in the Window Needle sector within the crag's 4th to 5.10 range. First ascent: 1968; Treiber, Weaver, Kreuser, Metcalf & Sewrey.

Around this trail

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

    Campground East

    Campground

    Campground · 4.1 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Trails End

    Attraction

    On your way back · 13 mi

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Local outfitters

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  • Nearby · Barks Canyon Wall · The Cemetery · Myth Wall
  • Best time to go · Oct–Apr

    Best time to visit Threading The Needle

    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

      62° / 44°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      65° / 46°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      72° / 49°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      78° / 55°

      2 wet

    5. May

      87° / 64°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      97° / 73°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      99° / 77°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      97° / 76°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      93° / 72°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      84° / 63°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      72° / 52°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      62° / 44°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Superior, AZ, 15 mi away at 2,860 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Photo of the crag

Miners Needle — the crag this route is on
Miners Needle, Arizona — this photo shows the crag, not this individual route.Photo: Alan English CPA from Scottsdale, Arizona 85254, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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