Mountain Project: Climbing Oak Creek Canyon

The Overlook is pretty much just that, as it overlooks everything from the top of Oak Creek Canyon. Long basalt columns encircle the top of this area, and the result is a plethora of moderate climbs. The normal procedure is to rig a separate rap line from a solid tree on the rim, rap in, then climb back out. Area classics include Angel's Delight (5.7), Morning's Mourning (5.8), Isaiah (5.9) and the Trinity Cracks (5.10), but most all of the routes are enjoyable to some degree. The Overlook is basically a kinder, more gentle version of Paradise Forks.

ACCESS NOTE: Please note that the forest service has restricted climbing for any routes past the area of Red Wagon (just left of the Trinity Cracks) due to tourist safety. Local access groups are working to get this restriction lifted.

Getting There

The Overlook can be reached either by driving south from Flagstaff on highway 89A or up Oak Creek Canyon (also 89A). At the top of the canyon, there is a blue sign that says "Scenic Overlook" or similar. Pull in here and park. Then hike about three minutes through the woods to the south/southeast to reach the cliff edge.

The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Overlook:

Gingerbread 5.7 Trad, TR, 1 pitch, 100 feet

Angel's Delight 5.7+ Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet

Mint Jam 5.8 Trad, 1 pitch, 90 feet

Red Wagon 5.8 Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet

Syzygy 5.8 Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet

Morning's Mourning 5.8+ Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet

Answered Prayers 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet

Devil's Deed 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet

CrackUp 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch, 75 feet

Amateur Hour 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch, 90 feet

Orange Out Direct 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet

Obediah 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch, 90 feet

Isaiah 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet

Magumba's Corner 5.10a Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet

Sparky And The Firedog 5.10a Trad, 1 pitch, 85 feet

Left Trinity Crack 5.10- Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet

Trinity Roofs 5.10 Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet

Middle Trinity Crack 5.10b/c Trad, 1 pitch, 90 feet

Right Trinity Crack 5.10b/c Trad, 80 feet

I've Always Been Crazy 5.10+ Trad

Comments on The Overlook

Add Comment

Show which comments —

By Ladd Raine
Administrator
From: Plymouth, NH
May 1, 2007

I have only climbed here one day, however, on that day I had three separate encounters with tarantulas on three different routes, each time I was on lead. Creeps me out, give me NH black flies or WV snakes anyday.

By Jodie Bostrom
Jul 2, 2007

Along with tarantulas and wasps, I have encountered bats in the cracks at the Overlook. In October of last year, I jammed my fingers in a crack on Isaiah and encountered a bat. There were several bats in the cracks that day. It freaked me out.

By Ladd Raine
Administrator
From: Plymouth, NH
Aug 22, 2007

I didn't hurt them, no fear.

By Christian
From: Tucson, Az
Jun 25, 2008

The locals are smart enough to avoid this place on summer mornings, but if you're road tripping and brave it anyway, bring twice as much water as you think you might need. The amount of heat generated by the dark rock is hard to exaggerate.

Last Saturday I drank twice as much as I would have on Mt Lemmon in similar conditions.

By Brigette
From: Tucson, Arizona
Jul 6, 2009

When we were at Isaiah on Sunday, some idiot started throwing rocks off the top of the cliff. One whizzed past my climber as he was lowering off, and another landed right at the base of the Trinity Cracks. I'm really glad my father and daughter had already hiked back up to the top. I'd highly recommend wearing a helmet at all times.

Home - Destinations - People - Partners - Forum - Photos - What's New
	ADVANCED

The Overlook

Description

Getting There

The Classics