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McDowell Mountains

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About McDowell Mountains:

The McDowell Mountain climbing area contains the largest concentration of granite routes in the Phoenix area. Most of the crags are on the northern slopes of the mountain range.
Nearest town or city: Scottsdale
Directions: Take 101 North until it ends at Pima. Follow Pima out to Dynamite Blvd. Turn right on Dynamite and follow it out until you reach 128th street. Turn right onto 128 and follow it 3.3 miles to its end. There are climbing areas on all sides of the road. Refer to guide books for crag areas but parking and trails have changed since the old guide; this site has updated info.
Latitude, Longitude:
Access Issues: Access to Gardener's wall and Tom's Thumb has changed. Do not use the old way in near the lone house. City plans call for the wash leading to the huge boulderfield that we used to walk along will be closed and no longer used as a trail it is now "critical wildlife habitat" and will remain off limits.
Camping: Free
When to Climb: Autumn
Quantity of Climbs: Year

Topo Images

No route specified No route specified Beat Feet
No route specified No route specified

Forum Discussions (13 posts)

  Subject Author Replies Last Post
No Replies New McDowells Rock Climbing Guidebook ErikF 0 Sep 06 2016, 11:25 PM
With Replies Request for Assistance – new McDowells Guidebook ErikF 2 Nov 03 2014, 1:45 PM
No Replies NEW Tom's Thumb Trailhead Peterslug 0 Nov 15 2012, 6:15 AM
No Replies Access Issues To date 2010 Bontrager6 0 Oct 27 2010, 12:58 AM
With Replies New access/parking for Gardener's Wall, Tom's Thumb and Sven Slab. sonso45 1 Oct 29 2009, 2:55 AM
No Replies Trail Flags for Tom's Thumb sonso45 0 Mar 16 2009, 5:04 PM
With Replies Old bolts in the McDowells RomanD 1 Feb 24 2009, 11:47 PM
With Replies McDowell Mt. Access - 128th St. Closed zeke_sf 18 Dec 17 2008, 12:19 AM
No Replies anybody wanta climb newluddite 0 Nov 21 2006, 4:17 PM
With Replies Legal Route to Toms Thumb.... danpayne 1 May 30 2006, 5:57 AM
With Replies Mcdowell Bolt Choppers Needed! danpayne 68 Jan 29 2007, 1:57 AM
With Replies McDowell Mnts. Access raindog 3 Mar 07 2004, 4:09 AM
With Replies Choppin new bolts @ Sven Slab! baywolf 18 Feb 25 2003, 2:45 PM