Climb the Praying Monk
Phoenix, Arizona
Details
Distance
0.5 miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Breanne McNitt
Short, fun climb in the heart of Phoenix. The Monk is a perfect little adventure to start off, or end the day.
Park at the Echo Canyon Parking Area.
From the trailhead, hike up Echo trail until your reach the saddle. At the saddle, you will turn south and start taking the climbers trail to the headwall, which is just past the sign that says "caution, active bee area." Once you reach the headwall, there are multiple, easy options to start with. There are two class 4 routes and then to the right of those is a short 5.2 pitch. The 5.2 pitch is the farthest right of the three and starts right before the trail gets narrow. All these routes are bolted, so pick your favorite line, and head up. We took the 5.2 pitch, which has four bolts and then the anchors.
Once up this 40 foot pitch, stay in the "baby canyon" until it opens up and you will see "The Monk" to your south. Stay on the climber trail that take you to the south east face of the tower. Once at the base of the tower, the 5.6 starts in the little cave. You will see one bolt, and then the rest of the bolts are around the corner up the slabby section of the rock. After clipping 6 bolts, you will be at the anchors on top of The Monk. Anchor in to the giant singular bolt in the middle, and then belay your buddy up the climb.
On the south side of the tower, there are two anchors where you can set up your rap. This rappel will take you down the overhanging section of the tower, and ends the day with a fun, free hanging rappel. I did the rap with a single 70 meter rope- a single 60 meter would be cutting it pretty close on having your ends touch the ground.
Back on the ground, take the climber trail to the west around the tower, and then head back down through that baby canyon you came up. Set up another rappel at the top of the headwall. After this rappel, head back to the main Echo Trail and in no time you'll be back at your car after a fun little adventure.
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Climb the Praying Monk Reviews
From the top of the Praying Monk, you can see everything! The multi-pitch climbs up are a little chossy, but not as bad as other areas. Watch out for bees, and don't do it in the summer! I want to go do it at night sometime.
4.0
An amazing climb! It starts off with a subtle incline that prepares you for the upcoming steep incline. Once you get to the top the whole city is visible! Highly recommend this climb to moderate and experienced climbers!
5.0
Leave No Trace
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Nearby
Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain
Climb the East Face of the Praying Monk
Camelback Mountain via Cholla Trail
Quartz Ridge Trail
Mojave Connector Trail #202
Freedom Trail Loop
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