How hot is too hot? Oak Creek Overlook question

I recently moved from NC to AZ. After unpacking and dealing with all the related BS that comes with a move, my wife and I are finally ready to get outdoors and start exploring Arizona.

After looking at the routes database, I am planning a trip to Oak Creek Overlook next week. The large number of trad moderates make it the ideal destination for my wife and me. My only concern is the weather. It is supposed to be 84 (not too hot, especially after dealing with the heat and humidity that is all too common in the southeast). However, I have heard that the dark color of the rock can make climbing there in the summer pretty uncomfortable.

So, like the title says, how hot is too hot? Can we comfortably climb there or are we going to be miserable? Please share your opinions and experience with climbing at the overlook.

Thanks for your input!

84 is mild' for the desert states. The dry air is also comfy. The sun does bake the dark rocks quite hot, so best to go in the AM for most climbs or a deep shady canyon somewhere.

It's pretty nice there all day. Morning and afternoon are the best times to climb though. Rock starts to shade after 2pm. It can get toasty around noon but this time of year the monsoons can kick up wind and rain in the afternoon as well. Pretty easy to get out of there if a storm hits, watch for lightning. The Overlook is a great area to climb. Climb down here in PHX for an afternoon and the Overlook will be nothing for ya!
Have fun!

if the sun is out, starting at 10 a.m. or so it gets pretty darn roasty. first light to 8 a.m. is perfection. otherwise, hope it doesn't monsoon in the afternoon and go at 2-3pm, when the rock has cooled a bit. classic basalt splitters- how can you not love N AZ? one other thing about the overlook to keep in mind your first visit is that some might say it is sandbagged. although really it is just graded in a way that makes the numbers below 10 actually mean something... the place is *****, enjoy!

Thanks for all the great information. I cannot wait to get on it later this week!

JMo wrote:if the sun is out, starting at 10 a.m. or so it gets pretty darn roasty. first light to 8 a.m. is perfection. otherwise, hope it doesn't monsoon in the afternoon and go at 2-3pm, when the rock has cooled a bit. classic basalt splitters- how can you not love N AZ? one other thing about the overlook to keep in mind your first visit is that some might say it is sandbagged. although really it is just graded in a way that makes the numbers below 10 actually mean something... the place is *****, enjoy!

JMo is right on. I climbed at the Overlook over 4th of July weekend in 2009 and 2010, and one the routes got shady it was great. Enjoy!

Thanks again for the input. One more question - what time does the parking lot close in the summer. The USFS web site mentions winter hours the lot, but I could not find summer hours. I am planning on staying until dark. Should I park across the street to avoid being locked in?

park across the street- they shut down ridiculously early

Thanks JMo! I really appreciate all the info!

no worries, one final thought- angel's delight is the best 7 out there, just stellar, morning's morning is likely the best 8, and the 9's are stacked but orange out direct and isaiah you really cannot go wrong- OOD has the best situations for a 9 that you may ever encounter...

Wanted to follow up and say thanks again for all the advise.

We went to Oak Creek Overlook yesterday. In short, it is awesome. Short approach, amazing scenery and great single pitch cragging made for an ideal day. We got there at 1 and had the place to ourselves all day.

All the comments on temp were spot-on. In the shade it is great. In the sun it is a little toasty. In the summer, it is probably best to arrive around 1:30 or 2.

I can't wait to go back!

Check out the refurbished climbs of Volunteer Canyon. JJ has been putting in some time there and looks great.

What ratings are you looking for?

Hey Manuel.

Thanks for heads up on Volunteer Canyon. That looks awesome.

I am looking for moderate trad climbs up to hard 9. (btw, that doesn't mean old-school 9, which i have found can mean anything, including hard 10! I am just not that tough.) If I go with the wife, i like to keep it in the 8 or below range so we can both have a good time. Any suggestions on places to go would be greatly appreciated.