The Peaks Crag
Climbing Sections:
About The Peaks Crag:
| The Peaks Crag, or formally,The Southwest Shoulder, is a 90' tall row of weathered dacite tucked up in a shallow canyon amongst the giant aspens, and fat ponderosas on the southern flanks of The San Francisco Peaks. Folks have been climbing here since at least the late seventies, and definitely since the early eighties. It is obscurely listed in Tim Toula's "A Cheap Way To Fly". The Peaks Crag remains one of only two small route climbing areas in the whole of the San Francisco Peaks area. Sad but true, and it's this fact, coupled with the crags seasonally easy access off the heals of Snow Bowl Rd and Forest Rd 522 that have lead to it becoming more popular in the last decade as more and more ascents have lead to cleaner routes, and a better over all climbing experience. This small crag has very engaging traditional gear routes interspersed with thoughtful sport lines. But sorry folks, there are very few routes here under 5.9. However, the more seasoned climber will find very entertaining routes up to 5.13, and at least several good lines in each grade from 5.10 up. Though there aren't of ton of great lines, there are classics in each grade. Locals love it, while most visitors I run into find it sharp, and just above average, but that's usually how it goes. |
| Nearest town or city: | Flagstaff |
| Directions: | Drive west out of Flagstaff on Fort Vally Road/ Hwy 180, passing the Museum Of Northern Arizona. Turn right onto Snow Bowl RD and proceed upward for several miles. Eventually, after some switch backing, you will encounter FR 522 on the right (east) side of the road. It is quite conspicuous with a steel gate not more than 50' off the road. It should be well marked. Drive up a rocky hill for a 1/8 mile to a small parking area at the top of a rise on the north side of FR 522. It also serves as a trail head. Hike 1/4 mile up obvious old trail heading north from the parking area. After several minutes, at a large bend, keep your eyes peeled while looking for a climber's trail that breaks off right by a fallen tree over the main trail. If you hike past an old scrap of a rusty car off the main trail in, you've gone too far. Once you are on the climber's trail, you can shut down your radar, as you follow this trail for 30 minutes through splendid scenery, cascades of lichen covered boulders, and a steady, gentle uphill grade. The trail leads you straight to the Main Wall. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | |
| Access Issues: | |
| Camping: | Yes |
| When to Climb: | Summer |
| Quantity of Climbs: |
Routes
Sequence Sequence numbers indicate the left (L) to right (R) order of the routes. |
Rating | Route | Difficulty | Ascents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Black Swan | 5.12d | 1 |
