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Nov 11, 2017 — Rainbow Mountain is one of the bigger peaks in Red Rock Canyon, the middle peak when viewed from the road between Mount Wilson and Bridge Mountain. There are three high points that comprise the summit, that over the years each has been contested to be taller by various hikers, Rainbow Wall, Rainbow Mountain, and Rainbow Peak. My understanding is that they're ranked: Rainbow Wall (Class 2), Rainbow Peak (Class 3+), and then Rainbow Mountain (Class 2). You can see my attached map for which is which. Rainbow Wall is known more to rock climbers for being a world-class vertical face, while Rainbow Peak is better known to hikers due to its interesting non-technical scramble route. You can approach these peaks from the west via Rocky Gap Road, but I definitely recommend coming from the east via the pretty canyons. I chose to ascend via Oak Creek Canyon, which meant I wouldn't have to drive the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive to accomplish this route.
From the Oak Creek Trailhead, I followed the trail until reaching Oak Creek Canyon's mouth. I dropped off the trails and into the streambed when I felt confident enough I'd avoid excessive water and bramble. There are a bunch of rock-hopping obstacles typical for the canyons of Red Rock, as well as gorgeous slickrock cascades with trickling water. At the first junction within the canyon I kept right, heading northwest along the base of Rainbow Mountain. There are ample Class 2 and Class 3 obstacles along the way, and the large boulders keep progress pretty slow.
Once I reached the second junction and kept right, I located a social trail leading up the Class 2 slope and up to the west ridge of Rainbow Mountain. Once on the ridge, cairns lead east. I accidentally stuck along the ridge crest and was cliffed out, but cairns lead the route along the north side of this cliff. Overall it's straightforward slickrock hiking to Rainbow Mountain, the lowest of the peaks. From Rainbow Mountain, I could see Rainbow Peak just ahead, but it was separated by a significant dip to reach the saddle. A bunch of fun and well-cairned Class 3/3+ downclimb moves reach the saddle and then Class 2 continued to the summit.
I backtracked for about a half mile until reaching the turn-off that would take me to the summit of Rainbow Wall, a pleasant slickrock hike. You can lean over the edge and get ridiculously cool views of the sheer drop to Pine Creek Canyon's floor far below. I returned the way I came.
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