Arizona · Rock climbing · Mount Lemmon · Near Oracle

West Face

16 routes
5.5 – 5.11a/b
Sport · Trad · Mixed
Mar–Nov
best months

Is West Face open right now?

Closure in the area

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

West Face is a climbing area in Arizona's Coronado National Forest, within the Santa Catalina Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits close to several other climbing spots and campsites, which makes it a compact base for a day or longer on the mountain. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for a visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 71°F and October highs near 68°F, while July and August stay around 80°F and winter highs hover near 50°F. The area holds 16 routes, with 11 of them sport climbs and the rest mixed or trad. The grades run from 5.5 up to 5.11. Among the named routes are Lord Fowelsbain at 5.10, The Paganizer at 5.11, and the aid route Druid Roof at 5.5. East Face lies just 0.1 mile away. Showers Point Group Site is 0.3 mile off, and Whitetail Campground and the Palisade hike are each about 0.6 mile away.

Around this trail

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

    Southern Pines Baptist Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Butler Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 14 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit West Face

    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, 2.1 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 700 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 (16)

Lord FowelsbainFA: Mike Argueso & Tony Lusk, '935.10Bron- yr-aurFA: John Steiger, Steve Grossman5.10+Druid DynamicsFA: EFR, Josie Becker-Wodraska, '215.10+No NameFA: Clay Mansfield, Craig Stockavas, Josh Farella, Chelsea Cook5.10+The Grips of WrathFA: Ben Burnham, Gary Reynolds5.10aLights Out At Ten Candles Out At ElevenFA: Traditional: Mike Argueso Sport: Mike Strassman & Mark Colby Rebolt: Ben Burnham & Vincent Greene5.10bLights OutFA: Mike Strassman and Scott Ayers 19935.10dThe PaganizerFA: Jack The Slipper (Doug Lantz, Eric Fazio-Rhicard, Diane Vetter, '91) The Pagan Sport Finish (Mike Strassman, Scott Ayers, '93)5.11Multi roof ????5.11a/bDruid RoofFA: Open project5.5Rupley's Believe It Or Not5.5In LightningFA: Eden Masters and Scott Ayers5.8Corporal PunishmentFA: Scott Ayers, Mark Colby, Mike Strassman5.9Jack the SlipperFA: Doug Lantz, Eric Fazio-Rhicard, Diane Vetter5.9Admiral ThrockmortonFA: Scott Ayers, Mark Colby, Mike Strassman5.9-Of Mice and MenFA: Karl Rickson, Mark Pey5.9+

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