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Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline Overview | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
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Pristine Wilderness Hidden in Plain Sight Above Lovell Canyon!
Where is the Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline in Nevada?
The Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline in Nevada is that high ridgeline at the top of Lovell Canyon between Harris Mountain – elevation 10,014ft – and Griffith Peak – elevation 11,056ft. Kyle Canyon stretches out below to the North of the ridgeline. Lovell Canyon stretches out below to the South. The Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline offers spectacular views of both Canyons and their surrounding high points. The Griffith Peak backcountry trail traverses the ridgeline, but is isolated from access points. This gives the ridgeline a pristine wilderness feel.
Beautiful Wilderness Terrain
The Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline is populated with a Bristlecone Pine forest in the upper regions. The lower mid-section is populated with Mountain Mahogany groves, mainly on the Harris Mountain side and grassy meadows on the Griffith Peak side. The center of the ridgeline is a beautiful high mountain meadow populated with wildflowers in Spring after the snow melt and in the Fall before the Winter snows arrive.
Access to the Harris Griffith Saddle
Access points to the Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline are from Griffith Peak, the upper end of Harris Mountain Road (for 4WD vehicles) and the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead.
The challenge of descending from Harris Mountain to the saddle is that there is no trail. However the slope is fairly gentle with the only major challenge being to manage a weaving path through the thick Mountain Mahogany groves. There are pathways, but no clear trail. The challenge of ascending to Griffith Peak is to weave up and through vertical limestone cliffs. Fortunately there is a well constructed but poorly maintained trail to get you up through the cliffs. Once above the cliffs, the challenge is to find where the trail continues and how to stay on it all the way to Griffith Peak. If you loose the trail you’ll find yourself ascending steep, often complicated slopes through stretches of wilderness burned by the 2013 Carpenter 1 Fire.
Traversing the Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline is like being on a mountaintop the entire way! Spectacular views to the South include Lovell Canyon, the Wilson Ridgeline, Sexton Ridgeline and portions of the colorful Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline all the way to Potosi Mountain beyond the South end of Lovell Canyon. You’ll also catch glimpses if all six major peaks surrounding Kyle Canyon including Griffith Peak, Charleston Peak, Lee Peak, Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak and Harris Mountain. There is back country camping along the ridgeline and at both ends.
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Adventures on the Harris Griffith Saddle Ridgeline in Nevada
