Hike Rainbow Mountain via Oak Creek Canyon Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

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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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Rainbow Mountain (false summit)

6800 ft

80 rise

Rainbow Mountain

6800 ft

200 rise

Rainbow Wall

6924 ft

642 rise

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Starting along the Oak Creek Canyon Trail.

Leave the trail and enter the Oak Creek streambed.

Obstacles and boulder-hopping for most of the canyon.

Fun slick slopes along the way.

And then a trickle of water appears! It continues to the head of the canyon, with short slopey waterfalls as obstacles and pretty views.

Hanging out on a Class 2 section of waterfall slab.

A particularly interesting area toward the top.

Okay, I know I took a lot of waterfall shots. The lighting was nice and they're just super colorful and pretty.

Last Class 2 waterfall obstacle just before getting to the second canyon junction.

View back down-canyon.

Go right at the junction ahead.

You can see the limestone of the Keystone Thrust above.

Heading up the side canyon. A social trail leads up to the ridge.

Almost at the Rainbow Mountain ridge.

At the ridge, looking toward Bridge Mountain (left). Rainbow Mountain's west ridge on the right. You can see some rock outcroppings along the ridge crest. The route leads to the left around them.

Avoiding a rock outcrop on the left. Rainbow Wall up there somewhere.

Ascending to Rainbow Mountain. Mount Wilson visible over there on the right.

At this forested section, going though the trees leads to Rainbow Mountain. To the left up the burnt orange slab goes to Rainbow Wall.

Slickrock section before Rainbow Mountain.

Looking back across the slickrock section, almost at Rainbow Mountain.

Rainbow Mountain, view toward Rainbow Peak on the right.

Approaching the spot where I was convinced there was no way down, non-technically. Rainbow Peak seen ahead.

But there is! A cairn leads to the right.

And the cairns lead down this Class 3 stuff. It's a bit dangerous, but solid rock and reasonable to navigate. Rainbow Peak seen ahead. On the start of the way down, it's a bit exposed Class 2/3. Rainbow Peak seen ahead.

The next few photos are from years later on another visit. Seen here is the crux. You can descend into the chimney hidden behind Jeremy, or just right of the chimney, where it's steeper, but doesn't require a chimney squeeze.

View back up at the cross move crux, just above the chimney. There's a handhold to aid in this short cross move.

Close-up down the chimney, Class 3+.

View back toward the crux section. The chimney is located just behind the little tree, center.

Continuing up to Rainbow Peak, Class 2.

Rainbow Wall summit in the center.

Rainbow Peak summit. I couldn't get an angle without my shadow.

Mount Wilson view from the Rainbow Peak summit.

A view back toward the trees I mentioned earlier, now heading up to Rainbow Wall.

Slickrock to Rainbow Wall summit.

Rainbow Wall summit.

Looking down from Rainbow Wall summit into Pine Creek. Super sheer cliffs.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!