Oak Creek Canyon Loop - 11/7/26

Oak Creek and Mt. Wilson in Background

Colorful Oak Creek Boulders

Scrambling down to the red Vein

(L-R) Monument Peak, Indecision Peak
and base of Wilson Peak on Approach to
Oak Creek Canyon

Susan and I started at the Scenic Loop exit trailhead and headed straight out toward Oak Creek Canyon. This is the canyon located between Wilson Peak (the highest peak of the Red Rock escarpment) and Rainbow Peak (the most colorful peak of the escarpment). The colors of Rainbow Peak flow down through the canyon area making the large boulders of Oak Creek a beautiful area for some more difficult scrambling. (There are trails to the side of the canyon that enable rock climbers and hikers to navigate the scrambles on up the creek bed.) The trail that we took from the parking lot led to the old rocky abandoned road where we turned right. (There is also a trailhead for this road at SR 159.)

Wilson Peak and Rainbow Peak with Oak Creek Canyon Between

Potato Knoll (L) from canyon Trail

View down scramble up to Rainbow Peak climbing Wall

Rock climber starting up Rainbow

We followed the road toward the canyon between Wilson Peak and Rainbow Peak until it changed to a trail and passed a large trail sign. After the trail sign and continuing toward the canyon, we crossed a section of a geological red vein in the form of red dirt. The trail continued into rocky terrain. Rock climbers use this trail to reach the base of walls on Rainbow Peak. Soon, we had to turn up to the right and scramble up to a large pine. The trail, then, goes to the left and up some more. A fork is offered after a small climb and we took the left where the trail started down toward the creek bed in the middle of the canyon. Finally in the dry canyon, we turned to the left and began our scramble over very large boulders as we descended through the red vein as seen in a few of these photos. We enjoyed the scramble and finally came to a very large drop that was navigated on our left side. Immediately after the drop, a trail climbs out of the boulders on our right. Here, the trail has to be interpreted. Suffice it to say, whatever trail you use, it is best to head straight toward Potato Knoll. We only made one turn to the left followed by a turn to the right and reached the optimal location at the base of Potato Knoll. Here is where there are so many trails that your best choice is the right choice! We decided to not cross over the creek to the left and continued around the base of the knoll on its left side. This led us to a nice wet creek crossing. The water was higher than normal and our shoes got wet! 😱😎 Lots of photos!

Huge boulder near canyon creek with old tree growing from under It

Rainbow Peak shadow on Wilson Peak from Oak Creek Canyon

Colorful boulders in Oak Creek Canyon

Susan in Oak Creek Canyon

On the other side of the creek, the trail led to the right. At the next creek crossing, we decided to keep hiking straight staying on that side of the creek. (When I have tried crossing here, the trail gets a little convoluted and exits the trees only to leave you trying to find your way back to the creek! The maps below do not reflect this change.) So, we stayed on this side and continued along the beautiful creek that was making that "bubbling brook" sound. Soon, the trail started a climb up the embankment to the left. We followed the most worn trail up onto the desert floor and over to the old road we had been on before. A right turn led us back to the white rock intersection and onto the trail we had taken from the parking lot. We passed several high school students who were on a field trip. They were playing music as they hiked. We didn't tell them that it is illegal to do so but simply danced on by. They enjoyed the performance! What were we gonna do? We were outnumbered!!!

Stats: 5 miles; 700' gain

Kay in shallow water of Oak Creek

Oak Creek yellow trees in front of Potato Knoll and Wilson Peak

Yellow trees line Oak Creek as it flows toward SR 159