Icarus Canyon

A rugged West Fork of Oak Creek canyon.

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.

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. Caution: Place rope RDC and away from the crack to mitigate retrieval issues. Rigging a double rope rappel (VS. a static block/ single rope rappel) will help reduce the likelihood of retrieval issues

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.