Arizona · Rock climbing · Mount Lemmon · Near Oracle

Upper crag

9 routes
5.8 – 5.10+
Sport · Trad
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Upper crag open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Upper Crag 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 trails, campsites and other climbing spots, with Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin just 0.2 miles away and Showers Point Group Site at 0.3 miles. The climbing here is sport-oriented, with eight sport routes and one trad route among the nine listed. Grades run from 5.8 up to 5.10+, with the median around 5.10-. Lazy J is the trad route at 5.8, and Deadwood and Tunnel of Love are two of the sport routes at 5.10- and 5.10+. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon show May highs around 71°F and October highs around 68°F, while winter highs sit near 50°F. That station sits about 1,300 feet lower than the crag, so temperatures at the climbing area run cooler. East Face and West Face are climbing areas about 0.6 miles away, and Bigelow Trail #520 is a mountain biking route at 0.3 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin

    Campground

    The next 8 weekends are full on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Butler Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 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 Upper crag

    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, 2.2 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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 (9)

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