Oak Flat & The Queen Creek Region: 

Open and Ready for You!

Climbing in the Oak Flat and the Queen Creek Region (collectively know as "Queen Creek" to the locals) is threatened by the development of a new mine that is being developed by Resolution Copper Company (RCC). RCC is a subsidiary of the global mining giant Rio Tinto.

The Queen Creek area is home to thousands of climbs, a campground that sits on lands protected from mining, revered by Native Americans for various cultural reasons, frequented by off-road and 4 wheel enthusiasts, mountain bikers, birders, hikers, Scout organizations, and just plain old folk wanting to kick back beneath a huge oak tree.

Just an hour or so from Phoenix and near suitable supply stores, it's the nearest thing to a "climbing city" close to the Phoenix Metro area. Locals climb here year round and many traveling climbers visit during the cooler months.

All areas are open for climbing, contrary to what you may have heard! Areas that are popular include the Pond (roped), Atlantis (roped), Oak Flat (bouldering and some roped), Euro Dog Valley (bouldering and roped), The Mine Area (bouldering and roped), Lower Devil's Canyon (roped), Upper Devil's Canyon (roped), and so much more.

Recent RCC activity includes a New Mine Area Road that was being put in in early April of 2008. (Unbeknownst to the locals) The images here show some of the "improvements" as they go in.

To the left here is the new road cutting up to the "Magma Gardens Saddle" where one used to hike to get to the Shoe Tips, AAA, etc.

To the right here is the view toward the Shoe Tips, AAA, and the Watchtower (left peak).

It appears that the new road leads to a privately RCC-owned "island" of property in that valley. The road goes from their private property near shaft #9, traverses public Forest Service lands, and then enters the RCC private "island" property. (April, 2008)