Switchback Spring Ridge | Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Switchback Spring is a little known, beautiful spring located in a canyon at the beginning of the first switchback stretch on Rocky Gap Road. The spring and ridge are accessed from the Willow Spring area in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. This adventure includes a short stretch on lower Switchback Spring followed by an ascent to the high ridge above and to the South. The objective is to scope out a possible route to the summit of the Wilson Ridge above. The spring and ridge are incredibly beautiful and offer a unique perspective of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, the La Madre Mountain Ridgeline and points in Red Rock Canyon and beyond. The best time of year for this adventure is Fall or Spring. Click the image or title above for images, videos and details…
Switchback Spring North Loop | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Last Updated on May 19, 2025 by David Smith Sexton Ridge Map .pdf Lovell Canyon Map .pdf Switchback Spring North Loop | Lovell Canyon, Nevada Wilderness Area Brochure .pdf Adventure Video Will Appear Here Overview | Switchback Spring North Loop | Lovell Canyon, Nevada Adventure to Occur Fall or Spring Soon! Trailhead Directions | Switchback […]
Switchback Spring Loops Intro | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
The Switchback Springs North and South Loops in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness deliver an experience of 3 great ridge systems in Southern Nevada: 1. The La Madre Mountains Ridge; 2. The Wilson Ridge; 3. The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline. Overview the routes of both loops along with how to access the loops from Willow Spring in Red Rock Canyon. Click the image or title above for details.
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!
Red Cap Peak Summit | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
Red Cap Peak, also referred to as “Little Turtlehead”, is a Jurassic Era Sandstone Summit in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada. This adventure begins at the Kraft Mountain Trailhead in the Calico Basin and navigates through Ash Canyon before summiting the peak. The best time of year for this adventure is Spring and Fall. Click the title or image above for more details.
Lovell Canyon Trail & Loop | Lovell Canyon, 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 of Griffith Peak, Harris Mountain and their long descent ridges on either side of Lovell Canyon. Lovell Canyon Trail branches into Lovell Canyon Loop which makes a large circuit around Handy Peak. Lovell Canyon Loop descends into Lovell Canyon’s main wash. In addition it provides access to Schaefer Springs Loop and Griffith Shadow Loop. Route details: About 5.5 Miles RT; **Excellent Trail** Click image or title above for more detail…
Little La Madre | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by David Smith Visitor Guide La Madre Mt. Area Topo Map La Madre Mt. Large Topo Map Little La Madre | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada La Madre Mt. Area Satellite Map La Madre Mt. Large Satellite View Adventure Video Will Appear Here Overview | Little La Madre | […]
La Madre Springs West Ridge Loop | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
This hike makes the beautiful Juniper and Pine zone in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness closer and more accessible, including expansive views of terrain from the Wilson Ridgeline to the Rainbow Mountains to Red Rock Canyon, the Brownstone Basin and all the way to the Las Vegas Strip and beyond! Click the image or title above for details.
La Madre Ridgeline Grand Crossing | La Madre Mts. Wilderness & Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
Navigate from Kyle Canyon Road to the summit of the La Madre Mountains Ridgeline, then descend to the entrance of Red Rock Canyon in Nevada. You’ll experience two unique worlds bordering one spectacular ridgeline during this 25-mile + wilderness adventure. Click the image or title above for details.
La Madre Mt, El Padre Mt, Burnt Peak | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
This adventure summits three of the highest peaks in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness to the West of Las Vegas, Nevada: La Madre Mountain, El Padre Mountain and Burnt Peak from the intersection of Kyle Canyon and lower Harris Springs Roads. The entire adventure took about 17 hours (including getting bogged down in a lower wash) compared to my recent completion of the Mt. Charleston Loop in 7 and a half hours! The La Madre Mountain, El Padre Mountain and Burnt Peak circuit offers incredible views all along the way including the Mt. Charleston Wilderness with Griffith Peak, Charleston Peak, Lee Peak, Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak and Angel Peak to the West. Then there is the Sheep Range, Fossil Ridge and Gass Peak to the Northeast. Add spectacular aerial views of Las Vegas Valley and the Las Vegas Strip with Frenchman Mountain and Lake Mead in the background to the East. Then add Calico Basin, Calico Hills, Damsel Peak, Red Rock Park, Turtlehead Peak, White Rock Mountain and the Rainbow Mountains all the way to Potosi Mountain to the Southwest including Bridge Mountain, North Peak, Rainbow Mountain, Juniper Peak, Mt. Wilson, Indecision Peak and Windy Mountain. Route details: 25+ Miles RT / 4500-8,500ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…