Arizona · Rock climbing · Flagstaff · Near Kachina Village

Upper Middle Elden Canyon

4 routes
5.6 – 5.11b
Trad
May–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Upper Middle Elden Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name Upper Middle Elden Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Coconino National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Upper Middle Elden Canyon is a climbing area in the Flagstaff Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing areas, with The Lair and Tower Station each about 0.1 mile away. The canyon's climbing is all trad, with four routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.11b. Dacite Daydream (5.6) and Balanced Diet (5.11b) are among the named routes, and their first ascents were led by Derek and Giselle Field between 2018 and 2020. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the Ft Valley weather station, about 8 miles away and at a lower elevation, run from highs near 71°F in May to 66°F in October, while July highs average about 84°F and winter lows dip to around 16°F. Nearby, the Pipeline mountain biking trail is about 0.4 mile away and Little Elden Springs Horsecamp is about 2.8 miles off. Lockett Meadow Campground lies about 8.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    KOA Holiday - Flagstaff

    Campground

    Campground · 1.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Chipotle

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Museum of Northern Arizona research facility

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village
  • Best time to go · May–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Upper Middle Elden Canyon

    Best months: May–July and September. 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

      46° / 17°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 20°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 24°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 27°

      5 wet

    5. May

      71° / 33°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 49°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 49°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 41°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 30°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 23°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 16°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ft Valley, AZ, 8.3 mi away at 7,347 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 (4)