Black Velvet Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Overview | Black Velvet Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Adventure Slide Guide will appear here during the Summer of 2024.
Where is Black Velvet Peak?
Black Velvet Peak is one of the lesser-known Jurassic sandstone peaks in the Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. Bridge Mountain, Juniper Peak, Rainbow Mountain and Mt. Wilson to the North are more well-known. Black Velvet Peak is the fourth Jurassic peak from the Southern end of the Rainbow Mountains. From the South, the peaks are South Peak, Hollow Rock Peak, Windy Peak and then Black Velvet Peak.
The “Other” Approach to the Summit of Black Velvet Peak
If you search “Black Velvet Peak Nevada” on the internet, you’re most likely to see rock climbers dangling from ropes over the edge of impossibly high vertical cliffs. This is because Black Velvet Peak as such a popular rock climbing destination. Great fun for rock climbers the world over, but insanity for the rest of us!
Did you know there’s another way to reach the summit of Black Velvet Peak that requires only a few relatively brief stretches of class 3 rock climbing? This is the approach to Black Velvet Peak not from below…but from above!
The Basic Route to the Summit of Black Velvet Peak
This more sane approach to Black Velvet Peak begins at the Mountain Springs trailhead on Highway 160 and ascends a nice trail to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline. After taking a left on the ridgeline, pass the route to Windy Peak, ascend to Mountain Springs Summit and then descend the saddle toward Black Velvet Peak. Arrive at the beautiful sandstone area, then navigate sandstone slopes, chutes and at least one narrow ledge to arrive at the taller neighboring summit just South of Black Velvet Peak. Now it’s a fairly quick descent to the saddle and then on up to the twin peak just to the North.
Spectacular Views Along the Way and from Black Velvet Peak
Views along the way are spectacular including the Southern stretch of the Rainbow Mountains: Windy Peak, Hollow Rock Peak and South Peak with Potosi Mountain, the Southernmost mountain in the Spring Mountains Range as a backdrop. To the North there is Hidden Peak, Monument Peak, Indecision Peak, Mt. Wilson, Rainbow Mountain and all the way to Bridge Mountain near the Northern end of the Rainbow Mountains. Additionally, you’ll see Charleston Peak, Griffith Peak and Mummy Mountain along the way, Red Rock Canyon and the La Madre Mountains Ridgeline along with Blue Diamond Hill, Calico Basin, Gass Peak and Lake Mead to the East. There are many more points of reference from the summit of Black Velvet Peak, stretching out over the valley below like the bow of a ship!
How Complicated is This Little Known Route to the Summit of Black Velvet Peak?
The, less technical route to Black Velvet Peak summit descends from the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline above to the West. There are a few places where you will face some significant exposure. The route is complicated and getting off course could easily lead you to the edge of a cliff! My first time to this summit was with a couple climbers who had previously traversed the route and were familiar with the area. Be sure to watch the video and study the map and narrative guide on this page.
If you are not experienced summiting peaks like Windy Peak, Hollow Rock Peak and Juniper Peak summit these other peaks before you attempt Black Velvet Peak. If it’s your first time to Black Velvet Peak, it’s a good idea to do this summit with someone who has previously traversed this summit route.
Best Time of Year to Summit Black Velvet Peak
The best time of year for this adventure is Spring or Fall. Summer can bring temperatures reaching and even exceeding 100 degrees. Winter can bring hazardous icy conditions to the slick sandstone slopes, chutes and ledges you’ll need to navigate during this adventure.
Route Starting Point Directions | Black Velvet Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Take I-215 to the Charleston Blvd. Exit in Summerlin, then head upward toward Red Rock Park. Pass Red Rock Park, continuing on Hwy 159. Pass the town of Blue Diamond, then turn right onto Hwy 160 toward Pahrump. Hwy 160 will ascend upward to a high point just before the town of Mountain Springs. Around that high point park at the Mountain Springs Trailhead on your right. The trailhead has no marking and is a hard right turn off Hwy 160. There’s a yellow diamond Horse Crossing sign there that is a good marker for the turn-off. Turn off Highway 160 onto a dirt road and into an area that looks like an unimproved campground with scattered areas to park. If you are the first to arrive in the morning it’s not obvious that you are at a trailhead.
Narrative Guide | Black Velvet Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
From the Mountain Springs Trailhead to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline
From the Mountain Springs Trailhead parking area, head to the North behind the parking area where you will soon see a distinctive communications tower around a quarter mile ahead along with some approach roads. Once you’ve reached the tower, pass through the gate on the left (there is a place for hikers to pass through) and continue down a short hill to some boulders at the base of the hill blocking vehicular progress on the road past that point. This is where the approach trail to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline begins.
Note the trail/road beginning to angle to the right toward the high ridgeline on the horizon to your right. That’s the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline which parallels the colorful sandstone Rainbow Mountains along their entire length. Ascend the trail/road to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline.
Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline to Mountain Springs Summit
Once on the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, take a left. The first sandstone peak you see below will be Windy Peak. There’s a trail descending to Windy Peak Summit. In fact, every great peak in the Rainbow Mountains can be approached by a saddle descending from the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline.
Pass the split-off trail to Windy Peak and continue North on the ridgeline trail. You’ll soon reach a high point on the ridgeline. This is Mountain Springs Summit, one of the high points on the ridgeline with its incredible view. Ascend Mountain Springs summit – a brief detour to the right from the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline Trail. Enjoy the view there and get a look at Black Velvet Peak below. Now find an unmarked trail descending toward Black Velvet Peak.
Mountain Springs Summit to the Base of Black Velvet Peak Saddle
As you descend to the base of Black Velvet Peak Saddle, note that there are two peaks close together below. You’d think that the higher peak to the right (South) should be Black Velvet Peak summit. Wrong! The summit is actually the lower peak to the left. The summit box is there and it’s probably designated the peak due to its more common approach from below by technical rock climbers. That’s the summit they call their destination, well-earned by their skill and effort to that point.
Now head down the steep, loose rock switchback trail from Mountain Springs Summit toward Black Velvet Peak. The actual climb begins when you hit the sandstone zone at the base of the saddle. Scope out your basic route to Black Velvet Peak, which will ascend the sandstone beyond the base of the saddle and angle upward along the upper West (near) side of the two peaks to the summit. If you stray down to your right (South) or over the left (East) side of the first peak, you’ll end up off course and faced with huge drop-offs. Keep to the North and West. Speaking of straying off into dangerous territory, take your time to think through every move along this route. The route can quickly become dangerous if you stray off course. If you should find yourself faced with class 4 or above moves, you’ve gotten off course. Backtrack a little and try another route option.
Ascending a Gully and a Chute
You may find cairns along this route, but don’t count on it. You want to ascend the slope above the saddle, then mid-way up the slope (along the base of the first peak) angle Northwest up a gully. At the upper end of the gully there’s a class 3 chute with minimal if any exposure. However, you’ll find yourself squeezing upward in places through the chute. If you’ve got a smaller summit backpack, this is the time to use it.
The Most Challenging Stretch: The Exposed Ledge
Above the chute, head North to a narrow exposed ledge that at first will look impossible. You may feel like turning around here and heading back. However, once you’re on the ledge itself, the narrow exposed portion is not quite as narrow as it looked from above and the ledge is relatively brief. In this entire adventure, that brief narrow ledge is the most difficult and somewhat scary stretch. Once across the ledge, head upward in a gully as you ascend toward the higher of the two peaks (the southern peak).
From Higher Summit to True Summit
Soon, you’re angling along the upper West (near) side of the first summit. Once you round the first summit the Northern summit comes into view. There’s a steep decline to the saddle between the two peaks. A faint trail will help you downward to the saddle, which more or a “V” that begins an immediate ascent to the second peak — the official summit of Black Velvet Peak. The ascent to the true summit is more gradual than the descent from the higher peak. Now you’re on large loose sandstone slabs. Once at the summit of the second peak, cross over the too of the summit hill to its East side and descend to a large level ledge, somewhat protected by a low surrounding rock wall. The summit box is there. Enjoy the spectacular view. You might even stray over to get a peak down the Eastern edge of the cliff rock climbers use to ascend from below.
The Return Trip
I found the return trip easier than the approach. This is mostly because I’d already covered the ground during the approach and there was no inner voice saying, “Are you sure there’s not a dead-end drop-off around the next corner?” Besides, I’ve found that with climbs at the class 3 level or below, the descent feels easier than the ascent because you can lower yourself downward with a greater level of stability.
Summary
Congratulate yourself on your accomplishment! Black Velvet Peak is a challenging adventure — even descending to the peak from above! You’re one of few people to have stood on this spectacular summit!