| OverView |
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Paradise Forks offers world class crack climbing in a beautiful setting. The climbing is situated in a semi-narrow columnar basalt gorge with ponderosa pine trees along the rim and surrounding canyons. The climbing is continuous on splitter cracks with very few face features, with routes that start at the canyon bottom and rise to the rim. These cracks offer friendly texture to the skin and very athletic climbing on good gear, creating an almost "sport climby" feel.
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| Weather |
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The Weather is dry and crisp in the fall and spring creating the best climbing conditions. Winters can be good on sun facing cliffs as long as the forest service roads are free of snow. Summer tends to be hot with afternoon thundershowers. Most people climb in the morning and chase the shade during the summer. |
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| Camping |
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The camping is free and unimproved on the flat area, just down the trail from the parking. Please use the outhouse when possible. There is also good unimproved camping ½ mile past the parking on a dirt road to the left. Please pack out trash and do not camp in the Paradise Forks parking lot! Hotels, showers and food exist in Williams and Flagstaff.
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| Directions |
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Paradise Forks is located 40 minutes from Flagstaff, Arizona. From I-40, take Exit 178 (Parks Rd.). Travel south and over railroad tracks. You will then be on Garland Prairie Rd. (F.S. Rd. 141). Continue on this road, following signs for White Horse Lake. Turn left onto F.S. Rd. 109 after about 12 miles. Travel this road for about 31/2 miles until you see a brown trail sign and parking for Paradise Forks on the left. Follow the trail to the canyon rim. Rappel to access canyon and climbing. |
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| Ethics |
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The Ethics at Paradise Forks are traditional climber friendly and very strict. Do not use bolts. The locals may kill you if they see you place one. The routes are easily protectable with gear and trees abound for rappel anchors. |
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| Guide Books: |
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A Cheap Way to Fly by Tim Toula, Falcon Publishing, 1991.
Paradise Forks Rock Climbing by David Bloom, Falcon Publishing/Chockstone Press, 1995.
Rock Climbing Arizona by Stewart Green, Falcon Publishing, 1999 |