Pine Creek Canyon, Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Pine Creek Canyon is definitely worth a day or two. It is more wild, untouched and the plant life more varied and abundant than in many other areas around Red Rock Park. It’s the second to the last trailhead parking area on the Red Rock Park Scenic Loop Drive. This entire side of Red Rock Park is often overlooked by those who spent their time at the more popular Red Rock Park Visitor Center, the Calico Hills, Turtlehead Peak, upper viewpoint, Willow Springs and Ice Box Canyon. But be prepared for a maze of trails! Route details: 3 mi/ 4000 > 4,500ft; **Some Trails, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Pine Creek Canyon Rock Climber Observations | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
This non rock climber discovered the best route through Pine Creek Canyon to the Rock Climber ascent points and filmed some rock climbing from an awesome perspective across the canyon. In addition, I point out some great hiking trails and potential approaches to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline above the canyon.
Petroglyph Wall & Lost Creek Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
View Petroglyph Wall, a waterfall in Lost Creek Canyon and the Willow Spring Loop in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada. These are three short trails packed with discovery and adventure for all ages. Traverse multiple climate and fauna zones, witness Native American history, walk on ancient Jurassic Era frozen sand dunes.
Oak Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Oak Peak is a challenging summit adventure at the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. The peak, towering over the edge of Red Rock Canyon offers sweeping views of the canyon. There are some class 3 and rope assisted class 4 stretches during the ascent. Click the image or title above for details.
Oak Creek Overlook Loop | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
The Oak Creek Overlook Loop is one of the most challenging adventures in the Rainbow Mountains. Expect walls of brush, house sized boulders and class 4 slopes. But the rewards are great, the views spectacular and the memories enduring! Click the image or title above for details.
Oak Creek Canyon North Branch to Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, Nevada
Beginning on Middle Oak Creek Trail in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness of Nevada, hike to Oak Creek Canyon, then continue to explore the North branch of the canyon between Rainbow Mountain and Mt. Wilson on a Route Toward The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline.
North Limestone Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
The summit of North Peak is like the turret of a medieval European castle with amazing views in all directions. Views to the East include Red Rock Canyon all the way to Lake Mead. The Mt. Charleston Wilderness can be seen to the West. The Keystone Thrust and La Madre Mountains Wilderness is to the North and the span of the Rainbow Mountains to Potosi Mountain to the South. Route details: 17 mi/ 4500 > 7003ft; **Some Trails, Some Wilderness**. Click image or title above for more…
Mt. Wilson Nevada from First Creek Canyon
Mt. Wilson, Nevada, at 7070ft elevation is the highest mountain in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness to the West. It’s one of the more challenging Rainbow Mountains to climb due to thick brush at its base and the cliffs above. I’ve seen countless hikers staring at their smart phones trying to follow granular directions (turn this way at this rock or tree…etc.) and totally lost in an elaborate maze of rabbit trails. I myself did this in the beginning, until I finally put my smart phone down and focused on the big picture. Route details: 12 mi/ 3,757 > 7070ft; Some Trails, Mostly Wilderness. Click image or title above for more…
Mt Wilson Summit from Lovell Canyon | Rainbow Mountains, Nevada
The traditional summit route to Mt. Wilson (elevation 7,071ft) is from First Creek Canyon below. But did you know it was also possible to descend to the summit of Mt. Wilson from the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline above? This entire, fairly isolated back-wilderness route is a class 2-3 walk, though along some steep slopes. The reward is incredible–a famous, prominent summit seen from Las Vegas and beyond! Click the image or title above for more detail.
Middle Oak Creek Trail in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
The videos on this page are an example of rains and flash floods in the desert. I recorded water cascading down canyon walls in the Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. It wasn’t a major life-threatening flash flood, but enough to get an idea how quickly things can change in the desert during a storm. Route Details: 4 miles RT; 300ft elevation gain; **Mostly wilderness, few trails.** Click image or title above for more…