South Mountain Regional Park has nearly 17,000 acres of rugged desert carved out of the heart of the Phoenix landscape. The largest municipal preserve in North America, this park is a haven for a wealth of natural citizens and a mecca for hikers and boulder’s alike. Many natural hazards exist within the confines of the park and this place should be considered with caution. All South Mountain trails are rocky and the rock is fractured, so care must be taken when hiking to the Pima Canyon area as well as bouldering in areas that may not have been cleaned. The Pima Canyon is tucked away in the heart of the park and will require about 30 – 45 min of hiking to access.
To Access: From 48th st and Elliot go North on 48th st till you see 48th st branch off to the left. Turn on 48th st and then an immediate left onto Pima Canyon Road. Drive carefully down to the parking lot area and search for a parking spot, since this area is a popular mountain biking and hiking destination.From the South ramadas, strike east on the main road out till you get to the stone ramada. Continue east, staying on the trail till you reach the Entrance Boulders. 
TIP: Marty Karabin has made a detailed area guide for 
South Mt and Pima Canyon areas and it includes routes on the boulders through the Entrance Boulders, Amphitheater, World Boulder area and More!
Pick them up at REI and TUFA GEAR SHOPS here in the valley for a couple bucks.
NOTE! It is important to remember that the Phoenix mountain preserves are open, undeveloped desert areas. Please use care when heading out as hikers can encounter rocky terrain, rattlesnakes and other potential hazards native to the Sonoran Desert. If you encounter a rattlesnake, allow it space and time to escape. I have found a variety species of rattlesnakes in this park including Diamondbacks, Tiger, Speckled, and Mojave – so caution is required when scouting.
The trail through the Pima Canyon bouldering area will lead you
through several separate areas, each with a number of different rocks 
and or walls to experience. The Entrance Boulders are the first wall you come to, and has an obvious crack system running a unique traverse option to a top out. As you continue west, you will encounter more opportunities until you reach the Amphitheater, an area overlooking the park with one of the largest concentration of problems. Pictured, (right) are Jumpstart Boulder in the center and the Sharks Tooth boulder to its right. Directly across is Elephant Tree, a V6 with a sit down start. If you circumvent around behind this formation, you find a number of different routes strewn about the numerous rocks including a great hand crack (30ft).
The routes are far too numerous to expound on and Marty’s guide is a must-have to truly experience all the bouldering this area has to offer. If you have Mountain Project on your smart phone – you can download a number of the routes as well – however the guide by the author is the most comprehensive.
Please Protect This Resource – No Chipping or Manufactured Holds , and please pack out all trash.