Turtlehead Peak, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada
Turtlehead Peak is one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock Canyon. The best time to hike Turtlehead Peak is in the Fall, Winter or Spring, or as early as possible on a Summer morning to avoid high temperatures after 10am. Bring at least 2 quarts of water. The hike takes about 4 hours, allowing for some time to enjoy the summit. In terms of difficulty, it’s a cross between a hike and a climb with some brief boulder sections and a lot of scrambling on loose gravel. Route details: 4.94 mi / 4,306 > 6.285 ft; **Fairly clear trail, but possible to get off track.** Click image or title above for more…
Turtlehead Peak High Ridge Route | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
View detailed directions and a video for hiking from the Sandstone Quarry parking area in Red Rock Canyon, NCA to the summit of Turtlehead Peak, along with tips. Also find directions for a cool alternate high ridge route to the summit. The alternate route is why this is called Turtlehead Peak with a “Twist”.
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 September 7, 2026 by David Smith ↑ Slide Guide ↑ ↑ Slide Guide ↑ Sexton Ridge Map .pdf Lovell Canyon Map .pdf Switchback Spring North Loop | Lovell Canyon, Nevada Wilderness Area Brochure .pdf ↓ Map Guide ↓ ↓ Video Guide ↓ Adventure Video Will Appear […]
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.
Northern Red Rock Canyon Overview, Nevada
The Northern area of the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Area is located at the base of the La Madre Ridgeline (those tall cliffs above the upper end of the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive). This is a dramatic transition area of terrain and geology! Click the image or title above for detasils.
North Ridge Loop | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
Explore the North side of the spectacular La Madre Mountains Ridgeline. Beginning at the Northeastern end of the La Madre Ridgeline, summit the North La Madre Ridge to 7,000ft just below the spectacular Devil’s Slide. Then, continue on the ridgeline descending to the La Madre Wilderness Campground to the Northwest. Finally, take lower approach roads back to your starting point at a trailhead parking area on Kyle Canyon Road just above the horse ranches. Discover key North La Madre Wilderness connections. Click the image or title above for 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…