Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada View Down Juniper Canyon from Canyon Summit Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Turn Up Juniper Canyon at an Arnight Trail Sign Before Knoll Trail Intersection Head Up Juniper Canyon on Unmarked Trail to Juniper Canyon Landmark Boulder Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Head Up Juniper Canyon on Unmarked Trail to Juniper Canyon Landmark Boulder Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Squeeze Under the Left Side of the Boulder, Then Ascend to North Side of Canyon Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Continue Along North Side of Canyon Toward Narrow Opening. Follow Cairns. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Near Opening, Descend to Brush and Boulders in Canyon. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada View Down Juniper Canyon as Trail Again Ascends to North Side for a Bit. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Descend Again into Thicker Brush & Boulders in Canyon. Follow Cairns. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Continue Ascending Canyon Toward Narrow Opening. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Passing Through Brush. Popular Route Kept Reasonably Clear Due to High Use. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Boulders Form a Few Ledges to Navigate, But All Relatively Easy Class 3 Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Continue to Wind Through Brush and Boulders in the Narrow Canyon Opening Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada More Boulders and Ledges to Navigate Through This Stretch Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Cairns Continue All the Way. The Navigation Challenge Can Be Fun. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Now Ascending a South Side Ridge on Steep, Loose Red Rock Trail. Still Not Bad. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada View Back Down the Red Rock Ridge Trail. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Descend Again Into Canyon to Land on a Really Nice, But Brief, Trail. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Near Top of Canyon, View Summit Approach. Red Boulder Field, Sandstone Slab Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Larger View of Boulder Field and Sandstone Slab/Ridge Above. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Continuing Toward Boulder Field. Note 2 Climbers on Sandstone, Next Stretch Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada The Challenge Here is To Top Sandstone Ridge Above Boulders. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Now on Boulders. Note Cairn to Right. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Two Rock Climbers on the Cliffs Above. No Worries, Not Part of Summit Route! Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Faint Passage Through Brush at Top of Boulder Field Leads to Sandstone Stretch Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Emerging from the Brush, Sandstone Now in Full View Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada View Down Through Rocky Ascent Passage to Sandstone Slab Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada The Summit Route is Basically Upward Along Red Cliff Edge Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Cairns Indicate Pass to Right of Boulder Ahead, But Huge Exposure There Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Ascent a Bit Steeper to Left of Boulder, But Little Exposure Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Straight Shot Up Sandstone Slab, Then Left Turn Toward Summit Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Exposure to Right of Boulder is Much Steeper Than This Image Indicates Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada This is What I Mean! No Room for Error! Will Return with Rock Climbing Shoes! Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada View Down Through Juniper Canyon from Sandstone Area Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Blue Diamond Hill Visible in Distance Through Juniper Canyon Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Blue Diamond Hill Backdrop to Intersection of Scenic Drive & Oak Ck Canyon Rd Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Note Adventure Start Point Where Scenic Drive Meets Oak Creek Canyon Road Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Descending Back Through Canyon Opening Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Heading Along North Side of Canyon Toward Landmark Boulder. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Descend to Landmark Boulder. Aim for Upper Side. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Squeeze Again Through Boulder Passage...May Need to Remove Back Pack. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Descend on Unmarked Canyon Trail to Arnight Trail, Then Turn Right (South) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Left to Right: La Madre Cliffs, Turtlehead & Damsel Peaks, Calico Hills Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada La Madre Cliffs on North End of Red Rock Canyon Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Turtlehead & Damsel Peaks on East Side of Red Rock Canyon. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Calico Hills on East Side of Red Rock Canyon. Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Prickly Pear Cactus Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Mojave Goldenbrush & Bastard Toadflax (Comandra Umbellata) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Mojave Goldenbrush, Straggling Mariposa Lily & Bastard Toadflax Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Mojave Goldenbrush, Desert Paintbrush & Bastard toadflax (Comandra umbellata) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Penstemon Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada California Coreopsis (Leptosyne Californica) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Straggling Mariposa Lily Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Mojave Yucca Blooms Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada California Poppy Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada California Poppy Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada California Poppy Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Pediomelum Castoreum or Pediomelum Megalanthum Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Mojave Aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia) Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Western Red Bud Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Desert Lupine Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Wild Rhubarb Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Wild Rhubarb Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia Wislizenii) View Down Juniper Canyon from Canyon Summit | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Turn Up Juniper Canyon at an Arnight Trail Sign Before Knoll Trail Intersection | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Head Up Juniper Canyon on an Unmarked Trail to Juniper Canyon Landmark Boulder | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Squeeze Under the Left Side of the Boulder, Then Ascend to North Side of Canyon | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Continue Along North Side of Canyon Toward Narrow Opening. Follow Cairns. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Near Opening, Descend to Brush and Boulders in Canyon. | Juniper Canyon. Cairns Continue. | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com View Down Juniper Canyon as Trail Again Ascends to North Side for a Bit. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Descend Again into Thicker Brush & Boulders in Canyon. Follow Cairns. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Continue Ascending Canyon Toward Narrow Opening. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Passing Through Brush. Popular Route Kept Reasonably Clear Due to High Use. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Boulders Form a Few Ledges to Navigate, But All Relatively Easy Class 3 | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Continue to Wind Through Brush and Boulders in the Narrow Canyon Opening | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com More Boulders and Ledges to Navigate Through This Stretch | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Cairns Continue All the Way. The Navigation Challenge Can Be Fun. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Now Ascending a South Side Ridge on Steep, Loose Red Rock Trail. Still Not Bad. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com View Back Down the Red Rock Ridge Trail. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Descend Again Into Canyon to Land on a Really Nice, But Brief, Trail. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Nearing Top of Canyon, Now View Summit Approach. Red Boulder Field, Sandstone Slab Next. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Larger View of Boulder Field and Sandstone Slab/Ridge Above. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Continuing Toward Boulder Field. Note 2 Climbers on Sandstone Showing Next Stretch | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com The Challenge Here is To Top Sandstone Ridge Above Boulders. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Now on Boulders. Note Cairn to Right. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Two Rock Climbers on the Cliffs Above. No Worries, Not Part of Summit Route. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Descending Back Through Canyon Opening | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Heading Along North Side of Canyon Toward Landmark Boulder. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Descend to Landmark Boulder. Aim for Upper Side. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Squeeze Again Through Boulder Passage...May Need to Remove Back Pack. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Descend on Unmarked Canyon Trail to Arnight Trail, Then Turn Right (South) | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Left to Right: La Madre Cliffs, Turtlehead & Damsel Peaks, Calico Hills | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com La Madre Cliffs on North End of Red Rock Canyon | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Turtlehead & Damsel Peaks on East Side of Red Rock Canyon. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Calico Hills on East Side of Red Rock Canyon. | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Brief Faint Passage Through Brush at Top of Boulder Field Leads to Sandstone Stretch | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Emerging from the Brush, Sandstone Now in Full View | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com The Route is Basically Upward Along Red Cliff Edge | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com View Down Through Rocky Ascent Passage to Sandstone Slab | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Cairns Indicate Pass to Right of Boulder Ahead, But Huge Exposure There | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Ascent a Bit Steeper to Pass to Left of Boulder, But Little Exposure | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Straight Shot Up Sandstone Slab to Left Turn Toward Summit | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Exposure to Right of Boulder is Much Steeper Than This Image Indicates | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com This is What I Mean! No Room for Error! Will Return with Rock Climbing Shoes! | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com View Down Through Juniper Canyon from Sandstone Area | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Blue Diamond Hill Visible in Distance Through Juniper Canyon | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Blue Diamond Hill Backdrop to Intersection of Scenic Drive & Oak Ck Canyon Rd | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Note Adventure Start Point Where Scenic Drive Meets Oak Creek Canyon Road | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Beavertail Cactus | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Mojave Goldenbrush & Bastard toadflax (Comandra umbellata) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Mojave Goldenbrush, Straggling Mariposa Lily & Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Mojave Goldenbrush, Desert Paintbrush & Bastard toadflax (Comandra umbellata) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com California Coreopsis, Leptosyne Californica : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Straggling Mariposa Lily : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com California Poppy : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com California Poppy : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Pediomelum Castoreum or Pediomelum Megalanthum : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Mojave Aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Desert Lupine : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia Wislizenii) : Annual Mojave Desert Wildflowers | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada | David Smith | LasVegasAreaTrails.com Western Red Bud | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Penstemon | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Mojave Yucca Blooms | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada California Poppy | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Wild Rhubarb | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada Wild Rhubarb | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada

Overview | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

This page will guide you from the North end of the Arnight Trail to the summit of Juniper Canyon. There you will emerge from a boulder field onto the sandstone slab that marks the beginning of the final Juniper Peak summit approach. See these pages for the full Juniper Peak route:

Juniper Peak, the most popular and frequently summited peak in the Rainbow Mountains, is attainable only by successfully navigating Juniper Canyon. For this reason, and because it consumed an entire adventure just getting to the top of Juniper Canyon, I’m devoting an entire adventure page to navigating Juniper Canyon. Through videos, route descriptions and images, this page will get you to the top of Juniper Canyon where you can then complete your trip to Juniper Peak’s summit!

Like the other canyons at the Eastern base of the Rainbow Mountains, Juniper Canyon can be a challenging experience. Between walls of brush, huge boulders, ledges and multiple route choices along the way, successfully navigating Juniper Canyon is a remarkable feat in itself.

Three Approach Trails to Juniper Canyon

There are three approach trails you can take to get to the base of Juniper Canyon where this adventure description will begin. The links below will take you to the pages where these trails are documented. The three trails are listed in the order of my preference:

  1. The Arnight Trail: Beginning at The Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead, The Arnight Trail is the most direct approach to the base of Juniper Canyon, trailhead parking area less likely to be full, and the return trip is downhill all the way when you are tired after summiting Juniper Peak. Note that there is a half-mile of good unpaved road from The Red Rock Scenic Drive to The Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead.
  2. The Knoll Trail from Pine Creek Canyon: Like The Arnight Trail, The Knoll Trail is also a great option. However, get to the Pine Creek Canyon Trailhead parking area early in the morning or you risk not finding a parking space! The Knoll Trail page covers the trail from South to North. Just reverse the direction to take that trail from The Pine Creek Canyon Trailhead.
  3. The Knoll Trail from The Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead: This is way longer as an approach trail to Juniper Canyon. The only reason you’d select this option is to enjoy hiking along the Eastern base of the Rainbow Mountains. It’s beautiful, it will get you to Juniper Canyon, but will nearly double your approach time.

Trail Loop Option

If you have lots of energy and want to create a total day of non-stop immersive wilderness adventure, approach Juniper Canyon via option 3 above, summit Juniper Peak, then return via option #1, The Arnight Trail.

Best Time of Year for This Adventure

If you’re just practicing how to get to the top of Juniper Canyon, mid-Fall through mid-Spring is best due to the cooler temperatures during these months. Summer temperatures can easily rise to 110 degrees or higher! 

If you’re goal is to summit Juniper Peak, you may want to avoid Winter and early Spring, unless you’re prepared to navigate snow and ice on the summit approach.

Trailhead Directions | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

There are 2 trailheads in Red Rock National Park that are closest to Juniper Peak:

  1. Pine Creek Canyon Trailhead, the second to the last turn-off on the Red Rock Park Scenic Drive Loop.
  2. Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead the last turn-off on the Red Rock Park Scenic Drive Loop.

Adventure Description | Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Finding the Route Through Juniper Canyon

The first navigation challenge is finding the route up Juniper Canyon. I made a couple not-so-successful attempts before nailing the route up the canyon.

  • One Gully Too Early: There’s a gully on the North side of the canyon before the narrow canyon opening. Thinking that this was the route to Juniper Peak summit, I headed up this gully. It had a good approach trail. In reality, it was a rock climber’s approach trail. As I began to ascend, the angle of ascent increased until I was at the limit of class 3 climbing and facing some vertical ledges. This may indeed be a route to Juniper Peak summit, but more appropriate for experienced rock climbers with technical gear. See the initial exploration video on the linked page.
  • Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs: For my next attempt, I began heading up a very nice trail on the South side of Juniper Canyon. Soon, it was evident that the elevation gain was taking me way out of the canyon. This turned out to be the rock climber’s approach trail to the Eastern cliffs of Rainbow Mountain. However, what a spectacular view over all or Red Rock Canyon! I could look down into Juniper Canyon and see the entire Juniper Peak summit approach route through the canyon and on to the summit. In addition, I had fun watching insane rock climbers scaling the impossible high vertical cliffs of Rainbow Mountain!

Granted, most people setting out to summit Juniper Peak probably get there on the first attempt. In my defense, I was hoping for a route that might avoid the thick brush, boulders and ledges in the base of the canyon, so I aimed high along the North and South edges of the canyon. In addition, I don’t use GPS and instead, like to explore and get the feel of an entire area. It takes me longer to discover the route to a summit, but in the process I end up discovering much more. For example, how else would I have heard of the Myster Z Rock Climbing Route? Just about every cliff in the area has a it’s own name for advanced rock climbers.

Although there are spin-off rock climber’s approach routes along each side of Juniper Canyon and on its upper end, there is a nice, but winding, challenging route through the base of Juniper Canyon, an it’s marked by cairns at many points along the way.

From Arnight Trail to Juniper Canyon Landmark Boulder

During the return trip I refined the canyon approach route even more. Starting out at the Oak Creek Canyon Trailhead, take The Arnight Trail to Juniper Canyon. Here’s the refinement: Before The Arnight Trail intersects with The Knoll Trail you’ll notice an Arnight Trail marker sign and a trail splitting off to the left (West) up Juniper Canyon. Take that trail split. You’ll wind around in the canyon a bit on the way up, but eventually you’ll reach the huge Juniper Canyon Landmark Boulder. The boulder is hard to miss as it’s the largest boulder you will have seen in Juniper Canyon.

Notice that there is a narrow squeeze passage along the West (left) side of the boulder. Breathe in, perhaps take off your back pack and squeeze through that passage. I actually got stuck momentarily…but it wasn’t difficult pushing through.

Cairns Begin to Mark the Main Juniper Canyon Route

Once through the boulder, ascend to the North side of Juniper Canyon where you’ll find a trail marked with cairns (no trail signs). This is the official Juniper Canyon trail! Continue along this trail up the North (right) side of Juniper Canyon. Keep in sight where the canyon opening narrows far ahead. That is your target.

The cairn marked trail you are on will eventually split as you near the point where the canyon narrows. Take the left (South) split down into the base of the canyon. If you take the right split you’ll end up ascending the base cliffs of Juniper Peak way too early…and end up ascending a gully that gets steeper and steeper until you’re faced with class 4/5 cliffs. I know because I once made that mistake in an attempt to remain above the base of the canyon and avoid all the obstacles down there.

Descending Into the Base of Juniper Canyon

So, you took the left split descending into the base of Juniper Canyon. Now you’re in the canyon navigating brush, boulders and ledges. Prepare to travel through a few tunnels of brush. The good news is that the route is so popular, there is always a passageway through the brush without having to do any bush whacking. And, you’ll continue to see cairn markers at various questionable points. Another piece of good news is that the ledges in the canyon are MUCH more tame than in Oak Creek Canyon. Still, there are some challenges. Keep following the cairns along with the route that seems most traveled. The Juniper Peak route is very popular, and so it’s not so hard picking out the main route.

Passage Through Juniper Canyon’s Narrow Opening

After navigating the obstacles in the base of the canyon you’ll get to the narrow point in the canyon. Huge boulders all around! Here there are some ledges to ascend: Still in light/moderate class 3 territory, no hard class 3/4. Also, there’s no real exposure, but do be careful. You could slip off a boulder and have a minor injury if you’re not taking your time and maintaining 3 points of contact.

Over the Red Loose Rock Ridge on the Left (South) Side of Juniper Canyon

At the summit of the ledge area in the narrow canyon opening, you’ll notice a steep red dirt/cinder/loose rock pathway heading up the South side of the canyon. Take this route. It’s the only route as it bypasses some major obstacles in the canyon below. The red dirt route will rise to the summit of a ridge, then descend back to the a base of the canyon. There, for a brief space, you’re on the nicest trail you’ve seen today. 

Ascending the Field of Huge Boulders on the North Side of Juniper Canyon

After a “too short” time on this nice trail, you’ll see a narrow trail heading through the trees and brush to your right up the North side of the canyon. Take this trail. Before you know it, you’ve ascended through the brush and are continuing to ascend through a field of large reddish boulders. Continue upward. You’re now at the upper end of Juniper Canyon, and at the beginning of the final summit approach to Juniper Peak.

Juniper Peak’s Final Summit Approach

I’ll describe the final summit approach in future details and video here. For now, here’s a quick summary of the final summit approach:  Basically, you ascend the boulders to a white sandstone ledge, ascend that ledge heading to the right along the base of the tall red rock cliffs until you reach a “V” summit area. There you’ll take a left and continue to ascend to Juniper Peak Summit.

For now, see the videos and slide shows on The Knoll Trail Southern Stretch and Dales Trail. In these videos and slides you’ll see, at a distance from below, the final Juniper Peak summit approach both from the North and from the South. Soon I’ll post a video and slides on the final approach on The Juniper Peak page of this website. 

Your Juniper Canyon Achievement!

But, congratulations! You’ve navigated to Juniper Canyon, along the main Juniper Peak Summit Route through the canyon, overcome some challenging obstacles and made it to the summit of Juniper Canyon!

Practice Canyons on the Eastern Base of The Rainbow Mountains

If you want to ease into navigating the canyons on the Eastern Base of the Rainbow Mountains, here is a progression from least to most difficult:

  1. Lost Creek Canyon
  2. Ice Box Canyon
  3. Juniper Canyon
  4. Oak Creek Canyon
  5. First Creek Canyon

If you take the above canyons from 1 to 5, by the time you successfully navigate #5 you’ll have the skills necessary to navigate any canyon at the Eastern base of The Rainbow Mountains!

Summary
Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada
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Juniper Canyon | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada
Description
Juniper Canyon is the passageway to Juniper Peak, the most popular summit in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. Learn how to manage the navigation challenges.
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LasVegasAreaTrails.com
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