Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing Northern Half | La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
The Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing North is the Northern half of the larger Kyle Canyon Grand Crossing which begins at the intersection of Kyle Canyon and Harris Springs Roads, ascends to the El Bastardo Mountain area on the Keystone Thrust above Red Rock Canyon, then descends to Red Springs Desert Oasis in the Calico Basin. This Northern half of the adventure takes you to the saddle between Burnt Peak and El Bastardo Mountain on the Keystone Thrust Ridgeline, looks down to Red Rock Park and contemplates various routes into the park below before returning to the starting point on Kyle Canyon Road. Highlights include a walk though the beautiful La Madre Mountains Wilderness camping, navigating numerous rocky plateaus through the wilderness up the Burnt Peak approach ridge, exploring a section of the upper Keystone Thrust and seeing spectacular 360-degree views all along the route. Route details: 20 Miles + RT / 4500-7900ft; *Some Road, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…
North 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…
Bridge Mountain in Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Bridge Mountain in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness of Nevada is one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the area. Summiting Bridge Mountain is challenging and there is at least one class 3+ exposed stretch. The most customary summit approach begins in the Willow Creek Picnic Area in Red Rock Park and ascends Rocky Gap Road to a high point before branching off to the approach trail. Route Details: 17 mi/ 4500 > 7003ft; Some Trails, Some Wilderness. Click image or title above for more…
Juniper Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
If you’re looking to climb your first peak in the Rainbow Mountains, Juniper Peak is a good start. Many of the surrounding peaks dwarf it in comparison: Mt. Wilson; Rainbow Mountain; Bridge Mountain. Experience all the beauty and challenge of a Jurassic Era Aztec red rock peak in the Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. When you are facing Juniper Peak there appear to be 3 routes from the Red Rock Park side: Two narrow chutes to the left and what looks like a more gradual approach to the right. I ended up selecting the middle of these routes – the right chute of the two chutes to the left. Hindsight says that the easier, and likely the more traditional route is the more gradual climb up the slope on the right (just before Pine Creek Canyon). Route Description: 8.7 mi/ 3,909 > 6,109ft; **Some Trails, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
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…
Mt. Wilson, Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
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…
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…
Rainbow Mountain, Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Rainbow Mountain is one of the most difficult mountains to summit in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness. Its beauty is in part due to the distinct Rainbow effect of reds and browns along with the massive vertical conical shaped cliff feature to the right: Rainbow Wall. Click image or title above for more…
Bonnie Springs Ranch | Red Rock Canyon
In mid-March of 2019, after about 45 years of operation, Bonnie Springs Ranch and it’s Old Nevada replica mining town, just West of Red Rock National Park, closed down. We feature Bonnie Springs Ranch here not because it is a hiking destination, but rather a long-time fixture in Red Rock Canyon. 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…
