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

Griffith Peak Southern Approach from Sexton Ridge | Lovell Canyon Trail | La Madre Mountains Wilderness | Spring Mountains, 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 | 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 & Loop | Lovell Canyon, Nevada

Lovell Canyon Loop Trail | 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…

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…

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

La Madre Mountain is 8,154ft in elevation. It is the highest central feature of the Keystone Thrust, the cliff system that spans the rear area of Red Rock Park in Nevada. The La Madre Mountain Southern approach, from a distance, looks impossible as you’re facing a sheer cliff wall between 1000 and 2000 feet high. However, as you approach the base of the cliff from Calico Basin it’s evident that there is a passage between the two peaks. The summit view is amazing featuring Las Vegas Valley with Lake Mead across and to the East, Gass Peak and the Sheep Range to the North, spectacular views of Mt. Charleston Wilderness to the East and the awesome total expanse of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Calico Basin to the Southwest. Route details: 22 mi / 4306-8000ft; *Wilderness, No Trail* Click image or title above for more…

La Madre Mountain Northern Approach from Kyle Canyon | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada

The La Madre Mountain Northern approach route moves deep into the beautiful La Madre Mountain Wilderness to summit La Madre Mountain from the Kyle Canyon/lower Harris Springs Roads intersection. The plant life undergoes a change from the Joshua Tree forest to pine and juniper trees. From the La Madre Mountain Summit one can see the entire Las Vegas Valley to the East, Red Rock Canyon to the South, Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Rainbow Mountains and Potosi Mountain to the West and Gass Peak and the Sheep Range to the North. There is too much more visible from La Madre Mountain summit to list here. Route details: 25 mi / 4500-8000ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…

El Padre Mountain, La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada

At 8,093 feet in elevation, El Padre Mountain, is the second highest mountain in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness and offers sweeping views of Las Vegas and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada. Route details: 24 mi / 4500-7500ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…

Burnt Peak | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada

Burnt Peak is located in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness of Nevada just a mile or two from La Madre Mountain. The summit is about 7,900ft, similar to the summits of La Madre Mountain and El Padre Mountain. All three mountains make up the section of the Keystone Thrust at the rear (North end) of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Calico Basin in Nevada. Route details: 8 Miles RT / 4500-7900ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…

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