Crimson Cathedral (Peak 5360 and Peak 5285) in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Crimson Cathedral (Peak 5360 and Peak 5285) Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 5 3.4 miles 1600 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
Directions
Route Map
Download GPX

Crimson Cathedral (Peak 5360 and Peak 5285) GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

Add to Cart
View Cart

Feb 13, 2026 — Between Damfino Canyon and Margs Draw lies a short ridgeline of interesting sandstone buttes. Two of them are unnamed, but prominent enough to be true summits. Located close to town and without much of a significant approach, we Matt and I set out to tackle them today since rain was in the forecast and we knew our time was limited. Crimson Cathedral is the local name dubbed for Peak 5360, but I don’t believe Peak 5285 has one.

We parked at the trailhead and started along Schnebly Hill Road for a short time, leaving it to take a well-traveled social trail heading southeast. This trail is apparently used for reaching the Damfino Vortex, so it made sense we saw a couple of tourists and woo-woo types lingering on the slickrock just off the social trail.

Ahead, our two objectives rose above, and we decided to start with the farther one, Peak 5360. The trail was actually pleasant for a while, winding its way steadily upward with nice views back as we gained elevation. It carried us all the way to the saddle between the two peaks, which felt like a small victory.

The approach to Peak 5360 quickly devolved into a brushy, dirt-covered, steep mess. Once above that, we moved into some steep Class 2/3 terrain that wasn’t all that much fun. Some more brush got us to the crux, a low Class 5 crack that required a series of moves that were just technical enough to demand attention. The holds were sloped awkwardly and the crack wasn’t wide enough to jam myself in. Sand was everywhere. I had Matt drop me webbing because I was over it.

Above the crack, we walked along a short ledge, followed by some enjoyable Class 3 moves on solid, ledgy sandstone. We reached the summit, crossing over one exposed Class 3 step to get there.

We dropped back down to the social trail and made our way toward Peak 5285. We hugged a cliff formed by an extended rock rib at its northern base, keeping to the right and only heading up on short scramble sections when a reasonable Class 2/3 route presented itself. There was still some brush, but compared to the first peak, it felt very reasonable.

At the base of the summit block, things ramped up again with a bit of easy Class 3, followed by a short low Class 5 move that led into a genuinely fun Class 4 chimney. A short hike led us to the summit of Peak 5285.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 5360 (Crimson Cathedral)
5360 ft
308 rise
2
Peak 5285
5285 ft
324 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Along a well-traveled social trail after leaving Schnebly Hill Road. Temple of Diana seen top left.
Along a well-traveled social trail after leaving Schnebly Hill Road. Temple of Diana seen top left.
Our two peaks for the outing seen center above Matt. We headed to the left one first, Peak 5360.
Our two peaks for the outing seen center above Matt. We headed to the left one first, Peak 5360.
View back as we ascend along the good social trail.
View back as we ascend along the good social trail.
The social trail that led all the way to the saddle separating our two peaks. Peak 5360 seen ahead.
The social trail that led all the way to the saddle separating our two peaks. Peak 5360 seen ahead.
View back toward the saddle and Peak 5285 (our second peak later).
View back toward the saddle and Peak 5285 (our second peak later).
It was a brushy, dirty, steep mess to reach the top of the slope for the approach for Peak 5360. Above we navigated some steep Class 2/3.
It was a brushy, dirty, steep mess to reach the top of the slope for the approach for Peak 5360. Above we navigated some steep Class 2/3.
Matt on a Class 3 section, covered in dirt and fully unpleasant.
Matt on a Class 3 section, covered in dirt and fully unpleasant.
View back down at the Class 3.
View back down at the Class 3.
More rough bushwhacking to get up to the crux.
More rough bushwhacking to get up to the crux.
Low Class 5 crux. I had Matt drop me some webbing here. I'm not sure what spooked me, but I wasn't feeling it.
Low Class 5 crux. I had Matt drop me some webbing here. I'm not sure what spooked me, but I wasn't feeling it.
Matt is tall, but it's a series of low Class 5 moves to overcome this crack.
Matt is tall, but it's a series of low Class 5 moves to overcome this crack.
Above the crack, a ledge walk.
Above the crack, a ledge walk.
Followed by a few Class 3 moves on ledgy sandstone.
Followed by a few Class 3 moves on ledgy sandstone.
View back down. We came up from the right.
View back down. We came up from the right.
Along the ridgeline to Peak 5360's summit. There was an exposed Class 3 step move.
Along the ridgeline to Peak 5360's summit. There was an exposed Class 3 step move.
Peak 5360, view east.
Peak 5360, view east.
We dropped back down to the social trail and took it to this extended rock rib at the northern base of Peak 5285. We kept to the right of it.
We dropped back down to the social trail and took it to this extended rock rib at the northern base of Peak 5285. We kept to the right of it.
View back as we hugged the rock rib extending from Peak 5285.
View back as we hugged the rock rib extending from Peak 5285.
We kept just below all the steep stuff, only ascending when a clear Class 2/3 route presented itself.
We kept just below all the steep stuff, only ascending when a clear Class 2/3 route presented itself.
Some brush, but less bad than the first peak.
Some brush, but less bad than the first peak.
At the base of the summit block, which began with a bit of simple Class 3.
At the base of the summit block, which began with a bit of simple Class 3.
A simple low Class 5 move led into this fun Class 4 chimney.
A simple low Class 5 move led into this fun Class 4 chimney.
View back down at the chimney.
View back down at the chimney.
Matt at the top of Peak 5285's crux move.
Matt at the top of Peak 5285's crux move.
Peak 5285 summit, view east toward Peak 5360.
Peak 5285 summit, view east toward Peak 5360.
Peak 5285 summit, view west.
Peak 5285 summit, view west.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Hire me!
PayPal
Venmo
Cash App