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
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Cactus Flower Tower:
The Warrior is a very adventurous and unknown classic. It involves every type of crack climbing there is. Giving too much info will ruin the adventure aspect of the route so I'll keep it brief. Follow the huge dihedral on the north side of Cactus flower tower for five pitches, the last two go straight up the face. Rap the route to descend (two ropes required).I hope you enjoy this seldom-climbed classic!PS. This is less like Red rocks 5.11 and mo...[more]Browse More Classics in NV
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