Arizona · Rock climbing · Soldier Camp · Near Oracle

Upper Wall

15 routes
5.8+ – 5.11b/c
Sport
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Upper Wall open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Upper Wall, 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 Wall is a sport 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 climbing and riding spots, with the Lower Wall and Raycreation Area each about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all sport, and the routes run from about 5.8+ up to 5.11+. The median grade is 5.10d, so the area suits climbers looking for a range of moderately difficult to challenging sport routes. Some of the named routes include X-Ray at 5.8+, Poppin' Cherries at 5.10b and Captain Cook at 5.11. For timing, the most comfortable months are typically May and September, when typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Lemmon run from highs around 71°F to 75°F. That station sits about 600 feet lower than the wall, so temperatures on the rock run a little cooler. Nearby, the Sunset mountain biking trail is about 0.3 mile away, and the Aspen hike is about half a mile off. Spencer Canyon campground is about 0.7 mile away, and Whitetail Campground is about 1.2 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Spencer Canyon

    Campground

    Campground · 0.7 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 Upper Wall

    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, 3.9 mi away at 7,027 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.

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