Arizona · Rock climbing · Tucson · Near Oracle

Zester cluster

Zester clusterPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
5 routes
V3-4 – V11-12
Bouldering
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Zester cluster open right now?

Closure in the area

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

The Zester cluster is a bouldering area in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, part of the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona. The Forest Service manages the land, and the cluster sits within designated wilderness. The area is a compact cluster of boulders, with five routes listed, all of them bouldering. The grades run from V3-4 up to V11-12, with the Zester route at V5 and the Zester Prow Project at V11-12. The closest neighbors are the Primus Wall and Entrance Boulders, each about 0.1 mile away, and the Wilderness of Rocks Domes at 0.3 mile. 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. For an overnight stay, Spencer Canyon campground is about 2.3 miles away and Whitetail Campground about 2.9 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Spencer Canyon

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Iron Door Restaurant

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 12 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Zester cluster

    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, 5.5 mi away at 7,027 ft. The station sits about 800 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 (5)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Primus WallPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Primus Wall

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Entrance BouldersPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Entrance Boulders

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Wilderness of Rocks DomesPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wilderness of Rocks Domes

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Wilderness of RocksPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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