Encinoso Falls

Encinoso Falls in Oak Creek Canyon is a roadside waterfall that flows during snow melt in the spring and monsoons in the summer. Access to the top requires a car shuttle, and the roads are typically closed during winter months. The shuttle will require a high clearance vehicle. During dry conditions this makes for a casual 6-8 hour day, with 3-4 hours of canyon time. The swimming hole at the bottom of the route will be hard to resist.

Hike a short distance northwest across the flat rim toward the main drainage. The drainage is best accessed at the head, where you will be greeted by up to 3 moderate downclimbs that can be rappelled if needed.

The first mandatory rappel is 140' from a bolted anchor LDC. Soon after, rappel number 2 is 215' from a bolted anchor RDC. Use extra caution when deploying the ropes, alerting potential hikers and climbers below.