| via Oak Creek Canyon Route |
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| via Oak Creek Canyon   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Nevada, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 36.10800°N / 115.489°W Route Type: Hike / Scramble Time Required: Half a day Difficulty: Class 2-3 (with one section of easy class 4)
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| Page By: cp0915 Created/Edited: Apr 21, 2005 / Jan 31, 2007 Object ID: 164714 Hits: 756 Loading... Page Score: 86.65% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachSee main page.
Route DescriptionIn my opinion, this is one of the most aesthetic standard non-technical routes to any of the peaks in the NCA.
Oak Creek Canyon is absolutely gorgeous, particularly in spring and in the depths of the back canyon, when the melting snows from the mountains above send their waters down into the deep sandstone canyon. The result is spectacular cascades, the constant sound of rushing water, and even the occasional waterfall. Oak Creek runs year-round, but spring is unquestionably the best time of year to be in the canyon. The appeal of this route is not just the creek - the remainder of the route also covers some beautiful ground with stunning views of the Red Rock backcountry.
Here's how to get started -
From either of the two trailheads, follow the well-marked trail to the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon.
The beginning of the route from the mouth of the canyon is rather simple. Once the mouth of the canyon is gained, continue into the canyon, seeking out the path of least resistance, which is generally class 2-3, hopping up and around and over and sometimes even under massive boulders, sometimes crossing over little streamlets or working your way around cascades and small waterfalls, taking right forks in the canyon as they come, and ultimately work your way to the end of the main canyon where the yellow sandstone meets the gray limestone of the peaks in the rear. You can't miss the geologic transition. It's painfully obvious.
Once this area is reached, start at any point and head north up the yellow sandstone talus slope above. It's tedious at times but generally easy, and sometimes even enjoyable, scrambling.
The slope starts out a little steep but mellows out in a short time. As the slope levels off, look for a faint use trail heading easterly. Follow it.
The next part of the route is hard to explain, and while on the mountain, a little hard to follow, but good route-finding skills and a little trial and error will get you there nonetheless.
The use trail will continue easterly for a hundred yards or more and then start traversing northward around the edge of a steepening slope on your left. Follow the trail northward a couple hundred feet to the bottom of an obvious ramp slab. Leave the trail and head up the ramp.
From the top of the ramp, you will be able to see Bridge Mountain and the other awesome crags of the northern Red Rock backcountry for the first time on the route.
From this point, you may be tempted to continue east and up a ledge system to higher ground, but don't. Instead, start traversing northeasterly along the north side of the ledge system over class 2-3 terrain (note the route for your return, as it's amazing how class 4-5 terrain seems to materialize out of nowhere) and aim for the base of a prominent cliff that is 1/4 mile or so ahead of you.
From the base of the prominent cliff, follow a use trail on the cliff’s west side north for a 1/4 mile or so to the end of the cliff. Just past the cliff, the use trail starts to spiderweb and becomes harder to follow. About this time, you will notice a large rock tower to your right. This is a semi-important landmark.
As the use trail starts to spider web, look for one that heads more northerly and away from the rock tower. The use trail starts heading up a talus slope, which will ultimately lead you to the summit a short distance away. If the route is in question at this point, simply head up.
On the way, there is only one sorta difficult section, that being a short (12-15 feet) and easy (and unexposed) class 4 wall that must be down-climbed. From the base of the wall, continue north and up to the summit.
To descent, retrace your steps.
RT numbers are around 13 miles, with about 3100 feet of gain.
* This route can also be linked up with the last part of the standard non-technical route on Rainbow Mountain for a 45-minute traverse ending with a 2-for-1 special. Rainbow Mountain’s summit, by the way, is more technically challenging to gain, and more aesthetically pleasing, I think.
Essential GearStandard desert hiking gear.
Although water is generally plentiful in the canyon, it's hard to come by on the upper reaches of the mountain. Intend to haul your own from the car.
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Red Rocks
