Overview | Indecision Peak West Base from Lovell Canyon | Rainbow Mountains, Nevada

Adventure Slide Guide will appear November/December 2024

The Nature of Indecision Peak

Indecision Peak is that forgotten Jurassic Era sandstone peak in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness of Nevada just South of the more popular Mt. Wilson. At 6,431ft elevation, Indecision Peak is massive, and its long approach ridge, possibly the longest in the Rainbow Mountains, adds to the size of the peak. In addition to the sandstone two peaks of similar size at the end of the long approach ridge, there are at least two more high points along the approach ridge of even greater elevation. So, four high points could claim the title “Indecision Peak”, helping the peak live up to its name.

Indecision Peak’s Long Approach Ridge from Above

Traversing that long approach ridge is like being on a mountaintop the entire way. There are views up and down the length of the Rainbow Mountains, along with views of the Las Vegas Valley and points beyond. This awesome vantage point is due to Indecision Peak’s placement nearly in the center North/South of the Rainbow Mountain range.

The Challenge of the Lovell Canyon Route to Indecision Peak

The main challenge of an adventure to Indecision Peak from Lovell Canyon is the length of the route. There is no short route (3 routes are traced in the map on this page). It’s pretty much a marathon adventure, best planned during a day with lots of daylight, but not in mid-Summer heat. This creates a narrow window of opportunity, best during mid-May to mid-June or mid-August to mid-September. Winter can bring ice and snow making the sandstone area of the peak dangerous.

The Alternate Route to Indecision Peak Summit from Below

There is another, shorter and more popular route to the summit of Indecision Peak: The route from below.  This route starts at First Creek, continues up the east face, finally wrapping around behind and up to summit. I have not taken this route yet and so cannot vouch for its difficulty level. However, we did see climbers on the summit during our adventure, and are certain they must have approached using the route from below. Thanks to a climbing partner, John Garner, for pointing out the approach route from below!

Goal: Descend to Every Rainbow Mountain Summit from Above

It’s my goal to descend to all the peaks in the Rainbow Mountains from above. After that, I’ll ascend from below. By either route, the colorful Jurassic Era sandstone mountains are an incredible wilderness wonderland offering a huge range of climbing levels from class 3 rock scrambling to class 5 and above advanced rock climbing. 

Route Starting Point Directions | Indecision Peak West Base from Lovell Canyon | Rainbow Mountains, Nevada

Take Hwy 160 from Las Vegas toward Pahrump. The highway ascends over a “hump” (the Potosi Mountain area). There’s a saying around here, “Over the hump to Pahrump”. Well, you’ve just traveled over that hump. Around 4-5 miles from the point where the highway begins to descend toward Pahrump there is a well-marked sign on the right for Lovell Canyon Road.

Locating the Intersection of Lovell Canyon Road and Saltgrass Road

Proceed a couple miles up the well-paved road to Lovell Canyon Campground. You will park at the intersection of Lovell Canyon Road and Saltgrass Road which will be on the right. However, there is no sign that says “Saltgrass Road”. Your only indication that you are at the intersection of Lovell Canyon Road and Saltgrass Road is a small marker on the right indicating Road: #45540. If you’re going to proceed from this point on foot, find a place to park near that intersection. However, if you have a good 4WD vehicle you can save a few miles by driving to the end of Saltgrass Road and starting from there.

Narrative Guide | Indecision Peak West Base from Lovell Canyon | Rainbow Mountains, Nevada

The Vast Wilderness Between Salt Grass Road and Indecision Peak

Once you’re at the upper end of Salt Grass Road (forest road #45540), take a moment to become familiar with the location of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline on the horizon above to your East. That ridgeline summit is your first goal. Also note the large expanse of ridges and washes between you and the summit of that ridgeline. Getting to the summit of the ridgeline will be a matter of finding the path of least resistance (and energy expense) to the ridgeline. You’ll need all the energy you can muster during this long marathon route to Indecision Peak. During this adventure we scopped out the large intervening wilderness by creating a huge loop adventure.

In defense of this long route, it’s an amazing total immersion in a unique wilderness throughout. You’re not likely to see anyone else along the way, or even evidence of prior human passage. It’s only you and the wilderness! Though it’s isolated wilderness, you’re never more than 10 miles from the nearest road.

By the way, also note the huge, beautiful grassy hill to your right (just South of the upper end of Salt Grass Road). That is the hill you will eventually descend during the final part of your return route. Incidentally, that hill is near the lower end of the enormous, seldom traversed Wilson Ridge.

Salt Grass Road to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline

Now, beginning at the upper end of Salt Grass Road in Lovell Canyon, continue by foot on the extension of the road, blocked by huge boulders to motor vehicle traffic. Soon you’ll enter a large wash, one of the series of washes descending from the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline from above. Your strategy is to navigate the washes and ridges so that you reach the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline at the furthest point South toward Indecision Peak’s long descent ridgeline.

Once you descend into the main wash, take the first right fork in the wash. This is basically circling that huge grassy hill you saw to your right from Salt Grass Road. The washes are not hard to navigate, though there are a few boulders and thick brushy areas to bypass to the right or the left.

As you continue up the right-forking wash, the intervening approach ridgelines to the Upper Crest Ridgeline will become apparent. Choose an approach ridgeline further to the right, but note that some of these ridgelines angle back to points further North on the Upper Crest Ridgeline.

When you leave the wash to ascend an approach ridgeline, you’ll notice that, unlike the washes below, the ridgelines are fairly wide-open and easy to navigate. During hotter days choose the North side of the approach ridgelines where there is more shade. During cooler days choose the South side of the approach ridgelines where the terrain is more wide-open and there is more sun. In addition, as you ascend the approach ridgelines, the surrounding views dramatically expand! The complex terrain of ridges and washes between Lovell Canyon and the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline will quickly become more clear. 

Spectacular View from the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline

Once on the summit of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline the views are truly spectacular. The huge Mt. Wilson appears so close just to the East that you can almost touch it. Just South of Mt. Wilson you can see your goal: Indecision Peak. Rainbow Mountain is clearly seen to the North of Mt. Wilson, and Bridge Mountain seen beyond. To the Northwest is the Mt. Charleston Wilderness. To the West is Lovell Canyon and the intervening wilderness all the way to the Panamint Range on the West side of Death Valley, including Telescope Peak. The Southern Rainbow Mountains are somewhat hidden at this point, but you can see Potosi Mountain at the Southern end of the Spring Mountains. To the Northeast there is the spectacular La Madre Ridgeline. To the East there is the Las Vegas Valley and Strip, the Muddy Mountains, Frenchman Mountain and Sunrise Mountain, Lake Mead and points beyond. You can actually see Mt. Wilson in the Rainbow Mountains and Mt. Wilson in Arizona at the same time!

Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline to Indecision Peak’s Long Descent Ridgeline

The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline is a series of high points. To the North (your left) on the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, that high point above Mt. Wilson is First Creek Overlook Cliff. The the South are two high points. The second, larger, high point will be the beginning of the long Indecision Peak descent ridgeline. There is a faint trail along the Upper Crest Ridgeline, but don’t count on it. The trail regularly disappears and re-appears! Just try to navigate high near the summit of the ridgeline where navigation is easier. To your left is a huge drop-off. To your right the ridgeline is more gradual, but if you do not stay high, near the drop-off, the navigation will become vastly more difficult!

As you round the second, larger high point to the South, you’ll begin to see the Southern stretch of the Rainbow Mountains including Sandstone Peak, Hidden Peak, Monument Peaks, Black Velvet Peak, Windy Peak, Hollow Rock Peak and South Peak. You might even be able to make out the beautiful Little Zion area!

Descending the Indecision Peak Approach Ridgeline

As you round the larger high point and begin to descend the Indecision Peak approach ridgeline, continue to navigate high on the ridgeline. Again, a huge drop-off is to your left; more gradual slope to your right, but stay high. There are a couple high points on the descent ridgeline. As you top the high points, Indecision Peak’s sandstone summit points come into sharper view.

During this adventure we had to turn around at the point just after the limestone, where the sandstone began. It was mid-November and we calculated that we’d still be in the wilderness after sunset had we continued to Indecision Peak’s summit. There is a large sandstone plateau just beyond the limestone: Indecision Plateau. By the way, that sharp dividing point between the limestone Upper Crest Ridgeline and the sandstone Rainbow Mountain summit areas is the world-famous Keystone Thrust faultline. The sandstone summits to the East are also referred to as The Escarpment. 

Indecision Peak Plateau is beautiful, dotted with bonsai-like pines and shrubs. And, from the plateau, you can see the approach to the twin summits. There is an intervening sharp descent to the saddle below at the base of the summit approach. While it looked a bit tricky, it appeared one could find a class 3 route to the summit.

Return to the Upper End of Salt Grass Road (Forest Road #45540) in Lovell Canyon

We reascended Indecision Peak’s long descent ridge and took a brief left on the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline before heading down a descent ridge toward the golden grassy hill on the lower Wilson Ridge that overlooked the upper end of Salt Grass Road. The descent ridge we took from the Upper Crest Ridgeline might actually have been a shorter, easier ascent to the ridgeline: Good reason to turn this adventure into a loop exploration of the wilderness.

There are a couple intervening ridgelines between the Upper Crest Ridgeline and the golden grassy hill on the lower Wilson Ridge. Try to navigate around the Southern base of those ridgeline to avoid unnecessary ascent and descent along the way. As you ascend the golden grassy hill, the vast terrain of ridgelines and washes between Lovell Canyon and the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline is further clarified, along with additional ways to streamline the route between upper Salt Grass Road and Indecision Peak. But it will always be a marathon route, though an incredibly beautiful full-day wilderness immersion.

At the summit of the large grassy hill, you’re looking down on the upper end of Salt Grass Road. By the way, if you traveled all the way from Lovell Canyon Road on foot, you might angle over from the Southern base of the grassy hill to connect lower with Salt Grass Road. There is a trade-off: Angling through the wilderness is slower, with more obstacles. Hitting Salt Grass Road higher avoids some of that wilderness terrain, but is longer. Choose your best route!