Sunrise Mountain, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

Sunrise Mountain offers a grand view of both the Lake Mead region and Nellis AFB below. In addition, you will find a lot more wilderness solitude than the more heavily traveled Frenchman Mountain trail just across Lake Mead Blvd. And, in my thinking, the Sunrise Mountain adventure is more rugged, wild, challenging and interesting. Route details: 4 mi RT | 7-800ft Elevation Gain/Loss; **Unmarked Trailhead, Use Trail at First, Some Wilderness Navigation** Click image or title above for more…

Frenchman Mountain Overlooking Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

There is no more commanding view of both the Las Vegas Valley and Lake Mead National Recreation Area than the summit of Frenchman Mountain, Nevada. From the summit one can look down on the Las Vegas Strip, across to the West to the Rainbow Mountains on the far side of Red Rock National Park, the La Madre Mountains and the Mt. Charleston Wilderness. To to Northwest one can see Gass Peak and the Sheep Mountain Range. To the Northeast one can see the Muddy Mountains and then gaze East and Southeast to see the Jimbilnan Wilderness, Virgin Ridge, Gold Butte, Lake Mead and the Hualapai Mountains. Route details: 5mi | 2,184 > 3,972ft ** Excellent Trail/Service Road** Click image or title above for more…

Lava Butte | Volcanic Cone Between Las Vegas and Lake Mead, Nevada

Lava Butte is a distinctive stand-alone volcanic cone below Frenchman Mountain and to the East. It can be seen from many high points in and around the Lake Mead National Recreation Area including Fortification Hill, Mt. Wilson, Frenchman Mountain and others. It’s a fun, challenging climb to go up one side and down the other, weaving around huge volcanic boulders. Route description: 7mi | 1,835 > 2,871ft; ** Service Road / Lava Ridge** Click image or title above for more…

01 Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, Overview

Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada and Arizona offers multiple recreational opportunities from climbing desert mountains and hills, canyons, ridges and plateaus with spectacular views to hiking, biking, boating, kayaking and swimming to picnicking and camping and much more. Don’t miss the great interpretive center at the Southshore Road Park entrance. We’re systematically exploring both popular and largely unknown adventure destinations and adding these to LasVegasAreaTrails.com. Best time of year for adventures here: Mid-Fall to Mid-Spring. When temperatures in the Las Vegas Valley rise above 75-80 degrees these destinations can become uncomfortable and even dangerous. However, during the Winter months expect comfortable mid-day temperatures around 60-70 degrees. Follow thumbnail images to view the details you will need to plan your adventures here. Follow thumbnail images to view the details you will need to plan your adventures here. Click image or title above for more…