Climb, rappel and hike with AMGA-certified guides on Mount Lemmon and Southern Arizona crags. This guided day out blends technical instruction with desert-to-pine mountain scenery for half- and full-day adventures.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The day opens on the shoulder of the Santa Catalina Mountains: scrub pines creak as a cool wind moves downhill, rock faces gleam with morning light, and the desert below seems to hold its breath. Guides brief the group, check harnesses, and point to the line where cliff and sky meet — the route to climb, the crack to descend, the slot canyon to thread.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3–8 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate cardiorespiratory fitness and comfort on uneven terrain; ability to handle repeated short climbs and rappels.
Wildlife
History
The Santa Catalina range has long importance to Indigenous peoples and later miners; many trails follow old access roads and historical alignments.
Conservation
The Sonoran Desert and sky island ecosystems are fragile—stay on established routes, carry out all waste, and avoid trampling cryptobiotic soils.
Reserve your spot on the Climbing Canyoneering hiking adventures today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Hydrate for elevation
Bring at least 2–3 liters of water per person for a full-day trip — desert air and exertion dehydrate quickly, and refill options are limited.
Layer for temperature swings
Temperatures can drop 20°F from desert floor to high ridges; pack a light insulating layer and a wind shell.
Footwear matters
Wear grippy approach shoes or light boots with sticky soles; climbs often start on broken talus and ledges where traction counts.
Learn basic rope commands
Familiarize yourself with simple belay and rappel calls before arrival — it speeds instruction and increases safety on mixed terrain.
Approach shoes or light hiking boots
Good traction on rock and talus makes approaches and scrambling safer and faster.
Hydration system (2–3 L)
Sustained exertion in dry air requires more water than you think; bring a full reservoir.
summer
Layered jacket (insulating + wind shell)
Temperature shifts from desert heat to mountain cold are common—layers keep you comfortable.
fall
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Open rock and elevation intensify sun exposure; protect skin and eyes during long approaches.
summer