Cactus Flower Tower

BETA PHOTO: Cactus Flower Tower from Oak Creek Trailhead (insi...

Description 

This peak is Mount Wilson's little brother. Although there is extensive exposed rock, comparatively little activity has been recorded. The main cliff forms a high wall wrapping from the east to the northern side of the peak. The Blood Wall is a long reddish wall beneath the western ridge, high above Oak Creek Canyon. The lower cliff tiers on the east and north sides contain cragging routes on smaller outcrops. The Triad and Afterburner walls, as well as the League of Notions, are in this area.

THE "STANDARD" DESCENT ROUTE: The "easy" ascent route (and standard descent) goes up the Oak Creek streambed until a sharp left turn can be made into the narrow canyon separating the tower from Mount Wilson. Shortly thereafter, climb onto the west ridge and routefind your way up the third class terrain. Near the top, the climbing becomes class 4 or 5 for a short bit, but unroped ascents are not uncommon. Obviously, the descent reverses this sequence. The descent is sufficiently tricky that it would pose a bit of a challenge in the dark with no prior familiarity.

Getting There 

Approach using either the old Oak Creek road, or the new trail. There is some benefit to using the standard Oak Creek Trail, because this is the normal route of descent.

The Classics

Featured Route For Cactus Flower Tower

Seppuku 5.11a/b  NV : Red Rock : ... : Blood Wall

This striking route lies high on the blood wall and provides great views of the eagle wall, black orpheus, and solar slab. The rock is superb, position spectacular, and the climbing fun. Protection is plentiful but the pitches are long. P1: 5.11a/b The route starts in a bomb bay Chimney. Climb the chimney and pull the lip of a small roof and follow the crack through the mixture of hands, fingers, offwidth and face moves to gain the easier OW/...[more]   Browse More Classics in NV

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Morning Sun hits the flower. Cinnamon Hedgehog an...