Keystone Thrust Summit from Willow Spring | Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

Summit the Keystone Thrust from Willow Spring in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Touch Two Additional Wilderness Areas: Rainbow Mountain Wilderness and La Madre Mountains Wilderness. Route goes along the North side of White Rock Mountain, up to La Madre Spring, past Miner’s Cabin and on to Keystone Thrust summit.

Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing Southern Half | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada

This is the Southern half of the Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing from the intersection of Kyle Canyon and Harris Springs Roads in Kyle Canyon, up over the Keystone Thrust and down to the base of White Rock Mountain in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The entire Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing gives an experience of the La Madre Mountains Wilderness and Red Rock Canyon. In addition, there are views of the Sheep Range, Gass Peak, Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Rainbow Mountains Wilderness, Las Vegas Valley including the Strip and many points beyond. But this Southern portion of the route included what can be seen from the Keystone Thrust in Red Rock Canyon. Route details: 10-15 miles RT; **Some trails, mostly wilderness** Click image or title above for more…

Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing Northern Half | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada

The Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing North is the Northern half of the larger Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing which begins at the intersection of Kyle Canyon and Harris Springs Roads, ascends to the El Bastardo Mountain area on the Keystone Thrust above Red Rock Canyon, then descends to Red Springs Desert Oasis in the Calico Basin. This Northern half of the adventure takes you to the saddle between Burnt Peak and El Bastardo Mountain on the Keystone Thrust Ridgeline, looks down to Red Rock Park and contemplates various routes into the park below before returning to the starting point on Kyle Canyon Road. Highlights include a walk though the beautiful La Madre Mountains Wilderness camping, navigating numerous rocky plateaus through the wilderness up the Burnt Peak approach ridge, exploring a section of the upper Keystone Thrust and seeing spectacular 360-degree views all along the route. Route details: 20 Miles + RT / 4500-7900ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…

Sexton Ridge Descent from Griffith Peak | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Sexton Ridge is rarely if ever traveled by humans in part due to the difficulty getting there. The route taken today from Griffith Peak Summit involves ascending Griffith Peak twice, beginning at the Charleston South Climb Trailhead at Cathedral Rock, ascending about 3,500ft to the 11,060ft summit of Griffith Peak, descending Sexton Ridge on the far side of Griffith Peak (I descended about 1,800ft today), then re-ascending back to the summit of Griffith Peak before heading back down to the South Climb Trailhead. Psychologically, it’s difficult to gear yourself up to ascend Griffith Peak twice!

Griffith Peak Southern Approach from Sexton Ridge Above Lovell Canyon, Nevada

Sexton Ridge is a 5-7 mile ridge South of Griffith Peak beginning at about 8,400ft and leading to the 11,060ft summit of Griffith Peak. However, it requires an additional 2,500ft ascent to get to the beginning of Sexton Ridge! The entire ridge including its access point from the summit of the Griffith Shadow Loop in Lovell Canyon is pure wilderness with some major brush navigation at points. Otherwise, this is a class 2 level climbing/scrambling experience. The views along the entire route are spectacular including Lovell Canyon, Griffith Peak, Harris Mountain and the saddle between, Potosi Mountain, Gass Peak, the Sheep Range, Las Vegas Valley and beyond, the Nopah Range, Telescope Peak, Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak, Lee Peak, Charleston Peak and too many more incredible points of reference to mention here! This could be a grand 2-day adventure with incredible nighttime views. Route details: 25 mi / 5000-11,060ft; *Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…

Griffith Peak South Approach from Lovell Canyon | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Overview at least 3 approaches to Griffith Peak summit from the Lovell Canyon Trail Trailhead. This approach to the summit will be longer than the traditional Kyle Canyon approach, with 2000ft more elevation gain, but the view is wide open all the way to Griffith Peak summit and the terrain snow-free for an additional month both earlier and later in the season! With this approach route you could be the first and last person to summit Griffith Peak this year. Click image or title above for more…

Harris Mountain from Lovell Canyon | La Madre Mountains Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Harris Mountain from Lovell Canyon is a challenging long distance adventure with an elevation gain of over 4,000ft. However, the elevation gain and the distance are not the main challenge. The greatest difficulty factor is the terrain covered which includes a 5-mile rocky canyon wash, navigating brush and burned out fallen trees and at least 2 miles of steep avalanche slopes – all with no trails.

However, even given these difficulties the rewards are great including:

*A unique high altitude perspective of Lovell Canyon from its East side
*Total peace and solitude – the experience of having a major canyon all to yourself
*Views of the entire expanse of Lovell Canyon all the way to Potosi Mountain, Griffith Peak, Sexton Ridge and the Lovell Canyon, Handy Peak, Griffith Shadow Loop trails area.

Lovell Canyon Trail, La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada

Lovell Canyon trail quickly ascends and then follows a ridge on the Western side of Lovell Canyon, with many grand views up the canyon to Griffith Peak and Harris Mountain. The canyon is beautiful, fairly untouched and features spectacular views. There’s Griffith Peak and Harris Mountain at the summit of the canyon, Wilson Ridge to the East and Sexton Ridge to the West. Handy Peak as a central feature in the canyon can be easily reached by trails looping off Lovell Canyon Trail as can Griffith Shadow Trail. Route details: About 5 Miles RT; **Excellent Trail, but a Bit Sketchy on the Canyon Floor** Click image or title above for more…

La Madre Mountain Eastern Approach from Red Rock Park, Nevada

The Eastern approach route will begin following the same path as the Southern approach route starting at the Sandstone Quarry parking area (Turtlehead Peak trailhead). From there head up Red Rock Wash and circle around the upper end of the Turtlehead Peak ridge system into Calico Basin, cross the upper Calico Basin, circle around the East end of the Keystone Trust and finally ascend the North side of La Madre Mountain.
It’s important to note that as with the other routes up La Madre Mountain, this route is quite the marathon and the most limiting factor will be enduring the distance and altitude gain. Image: Damsel Peak from La Madre Mt. East approach. Route description: 28 mi / 4306-8000ft; *Wilderness, No Trail* Click image or title above for more…

La Madre Mountain Western Approach from Red Rock Canyon NCA | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada

This is my favorite approach to La Madre Mountain due to the beauty of the terrain and the scenery. You begin in the scenic Willow Springs area (ample parking available), circle around between the Keystone Thrust Cliffs and White Mountain. Head up through the La Madre Springs area, pass an old Miner’s Cabin, then ascend to the top of the Keystone Thrust (the cliff system at the back of Red Rock Park). At the top take a right and travel along the very top of the Keystone Thrust ridge to La Madre Mountain. Route Details: 28 mi / 4306-8000ft; *Wilderness, No Trail* Click image or title above for more…