Climbing restricted due to tourist safety MORE INFO >>>
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.
Carina Eady-Toledo leading the unnamed route, 5.9,...
Description
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.
Devil's Deed is one of the best 5.9's at The Overlook. Challenging and classic! Route starts when you peel off from Angel's Delight about 15 feet up at a #2 Camalot/hand crack. Traverse right on good holds along small ledges, then up and head for the left thin crack above. Protection is tricky, but possible here in a small slot below the corner. An awkward move gets you face-to-face with the crack. You can get a cam in here if you have a ti...[more]
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.
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
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.
The Overlook
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