
Starting along the Oak Creek Canyon Trail.


I left the Oak Creek Canyon Trail once the social trails became insufferable to follow, and entered the creek bed. I'd rather boulder-hop than bushwhack and backtrack.

Fun and pretty obstacles within Oak Creek Canyon.

Looking back from within the north fork of Oak Creek Canyon toward the confluence of the forks.


More obstacles within the north fork of Oak Creek Canyon.





Slippery slabby waterfall.

Looking down the slippery slabby waterfall.

Shortly after the waterfall, take a hard left and continue along this slab, leaving Oak Creek Canyon, which is just to the left in this photo.

Looking back toward Oak Creek Canyon from on the slabby traverse working up to Oak Peak.

More of the slabby traverse. Oak Creek Canyon visible down to the left. I went up the rock outcropping ahead on the right.

After the slabs, heading up a wide, shallow gully. You can see the start of the crux.

The Class 3+/4 crux.

Second part of the crux. I kept to the right rather than mess with the scary slabs on the left.

Looking down the crux toward Oak Creek Canyon.

Continuing up the shallow gully from above the crux.

Looking down the steep, shallow gully I ascended.

Continuing around the north side of Oak Peak, Mt. Wilson in the distance.

Looking down Oak Creek Canyon before ascending the second gully, northeast of Oak Peak. I came from the rock rib on the left.

Continuing up Class 2, zig-zagging up to Oak Peak's west saddle.

Oak Peak summit, Mt. Wilson on the right.

Oak Peak summit, looking west toward Oak Creek Overlook Peak.

Class 2/2+ obstacles as I ascended up the ridge.


Looking down toward Oak Peak (center), Rainbow Mountain (left), and Mt. Wilson (right).

Steep, loose stuff as I got higher on the ridge.

Class 3 move ahead, center.

Looking down from the single Class 3 move to gain Oak Creek Overlook Peak ridge.

Oak Creek Overlook Peak summit, looking south.

Oak Creek Overlook Peak, looking north.

Along the ridge as I head north from Oak Creek Overlook Peak.


Heading down the north side of the ridge to avoid the cliffs on the east.

Back on the ridge, heading to the Rainbow Mountain saddle.

Continuing down the standard Rainbow Mountain route.

Looking up the standard Rainbow Mountain route.

Continuing down Oak Creek Canyon.


Beautiful water flowing in Oak Creek Canyon.




A waterfall just before getting to my turn-off to Oak Peak earlier in the day. I continued down Oak Creek Canyon the way I came.
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