Cockscomb Peak and Ridge, Elevation 9692ft, is a round trip of just over 4-miles with a nearly 3,000ft elevation gain. Stretching from Kyle Canyon Road Northward up to its highest elevation it creates a beautiful and rugged feature that can be viewed in a unique way from each of the highest points above Kyle Canyon.
This is an initial exploration of the Eastern approach ridge to Cockscomb Ridge. This adventure reaches the Eastern base of Cockscomb Ridge and helps guide the way to other more extensive adventures along the Eastern base of Cockscomb Ridge. This route is a great starter route if you’re not used to navigating pathless wilderness terrain.
There a no trails that will take you all the way from Stanley B. Springs Trailhead on Kyle Canyon Road all the way to Cockscomb Ridge, so be prepared for some steep, pathless wilderness navigation that includes some brief light class 3 rock scrambles. Due to The pathless wilderness traverse of about a mile up the approach ridge makes this adventure a great opportunity to practice some light wilderness navigation skills.
That final mile up to the summit affords spectacular views of Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak, Harris Mountain and the Griffith/Harris Circuit, Griffith Peak and the lower South ridge of Kyle Canyon. It’s like being on a mountaintop for that entire stretch!
Beginning on Hwy 95 North from Las Vegas, take the Kyle Canyon Road exit, turning left onto Kyle Canyon Road. Take Kyle Canyon Road for about 19 miles to Charleston Village. Pass Fletcher View Campground on your left, then park at an unmarked wide spot (fits 4-5 vehicles) on the right side of Kyle Canyon Road just past the Rainbow Subdivision turnoff and Bristlecone Pine Rd turnoff (see the map and video for more detail).
Take the middle of 3 unmarked trails ascending from this parking area (see the video). Continue up a decent wash which actually has some good solid ground along with a few of the customary rocks and twists and turns of a wash. The wash will meet a better trail–actually an old dirt road in about 1/4-1/2 mile. Turn right onto the wider road and continue another 1/4 mile passing a wash to the left and continuing on up the old road until you see a wider spot with a U-turn trail to the left (see the video).
Continue up this trail for another 1/4-1/2 mile until the trail “Ts” off at a the base of the pathless approach ridge. This spot is marked by a tree with a miner’s claim plaque.
At the tree leave all trails and precede straight up onto the ridge that will take you up to Cockscomb Ridge and Peak. Use basic navigation skills to stay on the ridge navigating to the right or left of a number of rock formations but all the while staying as high as possible on the ridge.
Landmarks Along the Way
In terms of large landmarks, there are ridges to the right and to the left. On the way up, turn around often to see Harris Mountain and the saddle between Harris Mountain and Griffith Peak. This will be your major landmark on the return trip down the ridge. You’ll use a point just to the right of Harris Mountain as your frame of reference during your return descent.
There are a few small cairns along the pathless approach ridge, but don’t expect to see a cairn at every point the direction is in question. Now and then you’ll see a faint trail or path, evidence you are not the first person to travel this stretch of wilderness. With careful navigation, you can get all the way up this ridge without exposing yourself to a fall. It’s all a class 2 walk with a few brief, light rock scrambles. Respect the vegetation and try to stay on the rocks vs. trampling plants.
Notice the amazing transition in topography from your starting point on Kyle Canyon Road to Cockscomb Ridge. At the ridgeline summit you’re right at the transition point between a Ponderosa Pine forest and a Bristlecone Pine forest. Careful observation will reveal more subtle changes.
Soon you’ll arrive at the base of Cockscomb Ridge. Be creative. You have a few choices including loops or an out-and-back:
Options 2 and 3 above would give you more familiarity with this wilderness area that will be helpful should you choose to do the huge Fletcher Canyon > Fletcher Peak > Cockscomb Ridge > Fletcher Canyon loop or the Stanley B. Springs Trailhead (on Kyle Canyon Road) > Trail Canyon Trailhead > Cockscomb Ridge > Stanley B. Springs Trailhead loop.
