Stewart Pocket Climbing Area

Stewart Pocket Climbing Area

Page Type Page Type: Album
Additional Information Image Type(s): Rock Climbing, Bouldering, Aid Climbing, Hiking, Flora, Informational, Scenery, Water

What is Stewart Pocket?

<i>Romancing the Stone</i>Romancing the Stone!

Stewart Pocket is an undeveloped recreation and
climbing area, located several miles southeast of
Payson (Arizona) along East Granite Dells Road.

As the name implies, it is a scenic basin (pocket) surrounded by granite towers, boulders, domes and ridges. Average elevation within the pocket is 5,000 feet (1524 meters) above sea level.

It's also substantially forested, and lies within the
Tonto National Forest and an elevational belt or biotic
community called a life zone. Stewart Pocket
is nestled in what is called the Pinyon pine/Juniper
Woodland, a life zone existing between 4,000'-7,300' in
the state of Arizona.

I know of at least three specific TRAD routes in
this area. They are Blade of Damascus (5.11a) and
Dueling Bugles (5.10a) on Stewart Peak, and Hard Day's
Work (5.10b) on East Tower .

Automobile access to the area can be achieved by driving to the end of the Granite Dells Road, beginning just east of the (Payson) Safeway off Highway 260. In winter when Stewart Creek is running, you have to cross the creek in order to get to Stewart Pocket.
Here's a link to a MAP.
Camping in the area is free, but it can be very hot
and uncomfortable in summer without an air conditioner
and a wet bar!
Peering into Stewarts Pocket

<i>Hoodoo You Think You Are?</i>

<i>Hard Rock Agave</i>

Stewart Pocket Snowmelt

Agave in the Afternoon


Images

View Stewart Pocket Climbing Area Image Gallery - 22 Images

Comments

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Viewing: 1-6 of 6
lisae

lisae - Jun 16, 2008 2:57 pm - Voted 10/10

Still

under progress or have you finished the album? I want to look at it when you are all done. :)

lcarreau

lcarreau - Jun 16, 2008 3:47 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Still

Thank you for visiting, and wishing you a great recovery!

Please, give me a few more days. I'm making this album a bit
different from the usual repeatition of flora and fauna stuff.

I need to check with the "Rockclimbing. com" people on some of
the 'climbing beta' so I can post the correct info. There are
three 5.10/5.11 routes that I know of, but I need to match the
routes with the correct walls. Thanks for your patience. :)

lisae

lisae - Jun 16, 2008 7:03 pm - Voted 10/10

FA

equals 'First Ascent' ie who was the first person to climb a route. Often this information is included in guidebooks.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Jun 17, 2008 11:46 am - Hasn't voted

Re: FA

Thanks, Lisa! The album is NOW READY for your viewing pleasure!

touchofhaze - Feb 21, 2015 3:05 pm - Hasn't voted

Sport climbing

My husband and I, from Vancouver island BC, are visiting Payton for the day but we only climb sport...are there any fully boles lines in Payton? What about the Fflagstaff, Pheonix and Tucson and surrounding areas? Thanks!!!

lcarreau

lcarreau - Feb 21, 2015 8:01 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Sport climbing

Forget Payson ... the "atmosphere" for Canadians is much more
"user-friendly" in Sedona, AZ.

Take Highway 260 or I-17 freeway to State Route 179 --- easy to
find when you see the red-colored rocks and juniper trees.

Most desirable if you visit before summertime to beat the heat.
Lots of shops and here's a link to some major rocks. THANKS!

Larry's link to Sedona Rocks

Viewing: 1-6 of 6