Queen Creek - Devils Canyon Arizona

Post by **Kiribell** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:45 pm

Anyone from the RRG community ever climbed out there...? If so you should know the area is under the threat of closure due to a mining company wanting to sink a new pit...

For those of you unfamiliar with the area it is an unbelieveable sport and bouldering spot. There are well in excess of 300 routes all within a couple square miles. The rock is volcanic arate and the scenery is beautiful. There is a more remote annex to the Queen Creek area called Devil's Canyon with some great long pitch sport routes, but you'll need a 4X4 to get to lower Devils. If your looking for a climbing trip destination get there while access is still open.

Also, if you get out there, check out Upper and Lower Atlantis, its a roadside area in Queen Creek Canyon with some really tall routes and the funnest 5.8 lead I've ever done - it was my first...I'm biased

It's about a 45min drive from Phoenix. REI in Tempe sells guide charts for the area..

Post by **J-Rock** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:47 pm

Yup, I've climbed there twice. I'd rather go to Sedona. Or Prescott. Or Flagstaff. Or Tucson.

Post by **Kiribell** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:53 pm

I never did much up by Sedona or Flag except for the the rim of Oak Creek Canyon right there at the rest area. But I climbed allot down on Mt. Lemon above Tuscon..Did you know Summerhaven burned down a couple of years ago. That little pub was a rockin time after a day on the crags..There was some pretty cool stuff in Prescott, man I'd love to live there. Maybe when I hit the lotto..

Post by **J-Rock** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:56 pm

We were in Summerhaven a month or two before it went up in flames. We had plans to return there, but not now...

Post by **lordjim_2001** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:09 am

I had plans to go climb out there for two Christmas breaks but never made it. (But I have climbed at the BBP.) I was planning on going to the PBB but it's canceled this year. Next winter if its still around I'm there.

Post by **Kiribell** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:21 am

They have been holding that right where the Mine may go in. There is a pretty good effort underway to keep access open locally. Keep your fingers crossed..

Post by **haas** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 4:47 am

I spent a couple weeks there last spring. The routes are pretty good, especially the Totem Pole, but I agree with J-Rock, I'd rather go to Prescott, Flagstaff, Mt. Lemon, etc., if I ever went back. It was a cool place and it is sad that the Phoenix Boulder Comp is canceled this year due to lack of sponsor support.

http://www.friendsofqueencreek.com/ There's a link on there about sending your congressman a letter, which I recommend

Post by **Joel** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:50 pm

R&I has a brief article on this in the current issue. In a nutshell, the bill being considered by Congress is a land swap: Oak Flats would be given to Resolution Copper for mining, and other land currently owned (and untouched) by Resolution would be set aside for preservation.

At least one member of Friends of Queen Creek has met with Resolution to scope out the potential new land and make sure that there's climbing potential there. Other members of FOQC regard this as a sellout.

Frankly, I think negotiation for good new land is the best option realistically available as long as President Bush is in the White House. This is a government that wants to drill oil in the ANWR - what chance is there that they will side with climbers against a mining company? If climbers will negotiate with Resolution, at least there's a chance that they will get *something* out of this.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kerry . . . .