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Destination Tower

Arizona > Northern Arizona > Sedona Area > Village of Oak… > Oak Creek Spire Area

Description

A quality tower hidden in plain sight out on SW flanks of Lee Mtn. 350 feet tall and vertical on all sides, Destination Tower features quality rock and climbing worth the journey.

Getting There

Approach as for Oak Creek Spire from the Jacks Canyon/Hot Loop trailhead. Take trail North across road, up steep short hill, go through gate, stay right on the mesa top and go to the north end of the mesa. Just before the high point of the mesa, go right on a smaller social trail. At the bottom of the hill, turn left and follow the trail to the first drainage crossing. Destination tower is NW from this drainage. Follow the trail 40 steps from the drainage, and stop at a slickrock bench (see photos). Look to your right for the first cairn (see photos). There are cairns leading the whole way to the tower. Be patient because the first cairns in the lower grassland can be harder to spot. Once in the steeper drainages, the approach path becomes more obvious. There is a smaller buttress on the left with a red mini tower on its nose. Destination tower is to the right of this small red tower. Approach takes an hour or more. Tower blends into Lee Mtn very well on the approach.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13
 3
Flight Path
Trad 4 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 24
Direct Flight
Trad 5 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 1
Destination Unknown
Trad 5 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Flight Path
 3
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13 Trad 4 pitches
Direct Flight
 24
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad 5 pitches
Destination Unknown
 1
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad 5 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Slickrock bench 40 steps past the drainage crossing, where you break off from the main trail. Look right for the first cairn on the hillside.
[Hide Photo] Slickrock bench 40 steps past the drainage crossing, where you break off from the main trail. Look right for the first cairn on the hillside.
First cairn in the center, upper third of the photo. Located to the right (north) of the main trail, 40 steps past the drainage crossing
[Hide Photo] First cairn in the center, upper third of the photo. Located to the right (north) of the main trail, 40 steps past the drainage crossing
Destination Tower just left of center from the point where you leave the trail.
[Hide Photo] Destination Tower just left of center from the point where you leave the trail.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Eben Freeman
Sierra eastside
[Hide Comment] Seems like some trail work has been done in the area. From the parking lot, you will now want to cross the road and simply follow the signed/maintained "Rabbit Ears" trail about 1.4 miles. Turn right onto the smaller social trail, which is at a USFS trail arrow signpost that points down the main trail. Rest of the approach as above: take social trail downhill, cross drainage, follow cairns and your nose uphill to the tower. Very civilized. Cool tower and super worthy. Jan 8, 2025