Icarus Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A III (v3a1 III) Raps:9, max ↨170ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 5min Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 20 May 2025
"A surprisingly worthwhile canyon, the rappels were fun and the exit is amazing, following a not terribly brutal but not in much way enjoyable approach |
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| Best season: | May-Sep, HOT Jul-Aug
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34.9954, -111.7639
34.9694, -111.7502
34.9901, -111.7419
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
A rugged West Fork of Oak Creek canyon.
Approach[edit]
Starting at Bootlegger Picnic area, cross Oak Creek and take the AB Young trail up 31 switchbacks to the top. Leave trail shortly after top down into a small valley. Go up and over hill to other side, following game trails. Traverse over to the main canyon drainage. After a lot of brush, you will come to the first short rappel.
Descent[edit]
R1: 30' Rock pinch. Possible pool at bottom depending on weather conditions, anchor options to avoid by climbing up to the right.
R2-3: are in direct succession:
R2: 130' tree RDC on ledge. Drop rope, do not toss as it could get tangled in tree. Rappel ends on first smallish ledge, do not continue down next ledge. Plenty of room for a full group to gather and rig the next rappel.
R3: 160' tree RDC or smallish tree back from where landed. This rappel begins brushy, and then becomes a total free hang at the bottom. Awesome!
R4: 50' tree in canyon. Possible downclimb 25'. End of rap has a shallow pool, possible to avoid LDC. Optional climb up to the right to find webbing on large tree for a clean 90’ rappel which avoids pool.
R5-6: are in direct succession: DO NOT MISS THE DIRTY PLATFORM BETWEEN 5 and 6
R5: 145' from a boulder in canyon. This rappel follows down a thin slanted corridor that may prove somewhat funky for large packs. You will land on the side of a large slopped spot directly below this crack. It is possible to rappel past it. Just be somewhat vigilant and you will land on it. This platform held a group of 4 with plenty of room.
R6: 170' boulder set back at bottom of rappel 5. This rappel starts a little brushy and then gets fairly tight. A large backpack will prove somewhat troublesome. One may stem above the tight drainage as well. This rappel then turns vertical, followed by a pour over, followed by a nice flat rappel down a wall.
R7: 40' tree LDC
R7 is followed by a 15' down climb.
R8: 80' tree LDC.
R9: 40' tree root in canyon. May be buried under debris. Careful on rope placement.
Exit[edit]
Follow the canyon a short distance to its junction with the creek. Take the West Fork of Oak Creek trail east to the trailhead and exit vehicle.
Red tape[edit]
Red Rocks pass required for parking at exit trailhead and at start trailhead. $5 per day with pay station at exit or start. Annual National Park Pass will also work.
West Fork of Oak Creek trailhead for Exit vehicle is often crowded and parking limited. $15 per day. Call of the Canyon Picnic Site. Optionally, can find parking north up the road off of the highway.
