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(12) Oak Creek Canyon
Nevada
> Southern Nevada
> Red Rocks
Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet.
Details
Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm, the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.
HUMAN WASTE Human waste is one of the major issues plaguing Red Rocks. The Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council and the AAC provides free "wag bags" in several locations (Black Velvet, First Pullout, Kraft Mtn/Bouldering, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor). These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out - consider bringing one to be part of your kit (just like your rope and shoes and lunch) no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly (do not throw them in the toilets at the parking area).
Description
This is one of the most beautiful canyons in Red Rock. The ultra-classic Solar Slab is near the mouth of the canyon. This is actually a huge buttress facing generally south or southeast. On the upstream side of the buttress is the Black Orpheus Amphitheater, lying to the west of the slab.
The south side of the canyon mouth is dominated by the Cactus Flower Tower and its associated Blood Wall and Oakey Buttress.
Further upstream, on the north side of the canyon, one finds the sweeping Painted Bowl, Eagle Wall, and Celebration Wall. In this area are local classics such as Rainbow Buttress and Levitation 29. The beautiful slabs in the upper part of the canyon are worth the hike (or you can pass them on the descent from the summit area of Rainbow Mountain). Oak Creek's southern branches are an area of complex topography and few recorded climbs.
Getting There
To get to the Oak Creek parking lot, take the scenic loop road 12.1 miles as measured from the turnoff from highway 159. Turn right on to a dirt road, follow this 0.8 miles west to the parking lot. This dirt road is passable by 2WD vehicles.
An alternative approach avoids the scenic loop. Park on Highway 159 about a half mile south of the exit gate from the scenic loop road. A hikers' gate in the barbed wire fence leads to a trail that heads straight west into Oak Creek Canyon. The trail stays to the north of the Oak Creek wash and joins up with the main trail just before reaching the mouth of the canyon.
![The beginning of many an adventure start here. Oak Creek Canyon with Mt. Wilson on the left and Solar Slab on the right side of the canyon.]()
[Hide Photo] The beginning of many an adventure start here. Oak Creek Canyon with Mt. Wilson on the left and Solar Slab on the right side of the canyon.
![Looking down Oak Creek Canyon from the bivy at the top of Celebration Wall.]()
[Hide Photo] Looking down Oak Creek Canyon from the bivy at the top of Celebration Wall.
![So that's how those waterstreaks get there. A summer storm produces cataracts on the south side of Oak Creek.]()
[Hide Photo] So that's how those waterstreaks get there. A summer storm produces cataracts on the south side of Oak Creek.
![bighorn sheep]()
[Hide Photo] bighorn sheep
![We had a couple burros give as a wake up call while sleeping in the car with the windows down (6/30/2014)]()
[Hide Photo] We had a couple burros give as a wake up call while sleeping in the car with the windows down (6/30/2014)
![Acrylic painting of Oak Creek Canyon approach]()
[Hide Photo] Acrylic painting of Oak Creek Canyon approach
![Taken 2/19/08 from the Solar Slab Terrace. Beautiful views of the Cactus Flower Tower area can be had. <br>
<br>
(Jonny can be seen at the bottom of picture)<br>
<br>]()
[Hide Photo] Taken 2/19/08 from the Solar Slab Terrace. Beautiful views of the Cactus Flower Tower area can be had. (Jonny can be seen at the bottom of picture)
![Looking down Oak Creek Canyon.]()
[Hide Photo] Looking down Oak Creek Canyon.
![Looking down on the start of solar slab from the top of the 4th pitch]()
[Hide Photo] Looking down on the start of solar slab from the top of the 4th pitch
![Sunrise in Oak Creek Canyon]()
[Hide Photo] Sunrise in Oak Creek Canyon
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Klamath Falls, OR
There is a FKT "speed record" for climbing Rainbow Mtn out of the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead via any route
fastestknowntime.com/route/…
As of writing this, Chris Gorney of LV currently has the fastest time by taking "Rainbow Direct"
fastestknowntime.com/fkt/ch… Mar 16, 2021