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 Ridgeline Overview | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Sexton Ridgeline runs along the Western border of Lovell Canyon in Nevada. The high point on Sexton Ridgeline is Griffith Peak, elevation 11,060ft. The 2013 Carpenter 1 Fire burned much of the ridge destroying ancient Bristlecone Pine forests. But this also contributed to wide open spectacular views! 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!
Schaefer Springs Loop | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Schaefer Springs Loop in Lovell Canyon NV, is a quick loop extension of the Lovell Canyon Loop featuring expansive views up and down Lovell Canyon. Since the Schaefer Springs Loop Trail spans both the East and West side of Lovell Canyon, the views expand to include the high ridges on both sides of the canyon including Sexton Ridge, the canyon’s Western border; Wilson Ridge, the canyon’s Eastern Border and Griffith Peak and Harris Mountain at the upper end of Lovell Canyon. Route Details: 1.6 Miles; Good Trail. Rapidly growing brush can obscure parts at times, but many cairns help keep you on track.
Rocky Gap Rd to Bridge Mt Trailhead | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Take Rocky Gap Road from Lovell Canyon Road to Bridge Mountain Trailhead. Scope out potential access to Wilson Ridge North and South. The Wilson Ridge crosses Rocky Gap Road near the summit area of that road. This area is key to completing the Wilson Ridge both North and South along with important connections to The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline and the Keystone Thrust Cliffs ridge access to the La Madre Mountains. Discover the interconnection of all these ridge systems. Click the image or title above for details…
Red Rock Summit Loop | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Ascend the Wilson Ridge above and North of Rocky Gap Road to Red Rock Summit. Then traverse the ridge North two high points beyond Red Rock Summit. Finally descend a long gradual approach ridge back to Lovell Canyon Road. About 95% of this adventure is pure, wild, pathless wilderness. 360-degree views along the Wilson Ridge are spectacular. There’s some complicated navigation around brush, boulders, loose rock and ledges, but nothing beyond class 2 climbing. Click the image or title above for more detail.
Red Rock Summit | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Take a long, sometimes narrow and rocky approach ridge to the Wilson Ridge parallel to and above Rocky Gap Road to a prominent high point where Red Rock Summit commands the scene directly North. View the Northern and Southern stretch of the Wilson Ridge, the Northern Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, Lovell Canyon, Harris and Mummy Mountains, Griffith Peak, the Las Vegas Strip and much more! Click the image or title above for more detail.
Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline Overview | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
The spectacular Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline runs parallel to and above the colorful sandstone Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. It’s located between Red Rock Canyon and Lovell Canyon in Nevada. The ridgeline runs from its Northern end in Red Rock Canyon to its Southern end at Highway 160 and Potosi Mountain. Descending to the Rainbow Mountain summits from the Upper Crest Ridgeline is less technical and complicated than ascending from the canyons below. However, distances to the summits are greater. Click the image or title above for details.
Rainbow Mountain Peaks | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
View 15 of the most famous, beautiful Jurassic sandstone peaks in the Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. Discover routes to every summit. Click the image or title above for details.
North Ridge of South Spring Canyon | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Ascend from Lovell Canyon to the Wilson Ridge via the North Ridge of South Spring Canyon, Nevada. This adventure reaches 6,300ft on the Wilson Ridge before being stopped by a 20ft ledge. Observed another more promising ascent ridge just to the North.