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Las Vegas Area Trails | Find Hiking and Running Trails within 150 Miles of Las Vegas, Nevada | David Smith

Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
"Little La Madre" (right) "Little El Padre" (middle) Little Burnt Peek (left)
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Actual La Madre (right) & El Padre (left) Mts. La Madre Sharper, El Padre Longer
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Perspective from the Upper End of Lake Mead Blvd.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Sheer Cliffs on West Side of Mts. Possible Approach Through the Saddle Between.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Double Cliffs Guard Larger Little El Padre. Class 5 to Ascend Directly
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Saddle Approach to West of Cliffs, Looks Hopeful. Will Explore in a Bit.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Cliffs East of Saddle Approach. Class 3-5 Climbing Skills Needed
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Saddle Approach to West of Cliffs, Looks Hopeful. Will Explore in a Bit.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Potential Approaches East of the Saddle. Some Possibilities on the Left.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
I Call this Mountain Launch Ramp Mt. (West of Little El Padre Saddle. Ramp to Left.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Further View of Launch Ramp Mt. and Its Approach Ridge to the West.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Straight On View of Launch Ramp Mt. Up Its Western Approach Ridge.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Entering the "Wicked Gardens" Trail Area
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Spring Garden Blooms in the Wicked Gardens Area
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
More Spring Garden Blooms in the Wicked Gardens Area
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Wicked Balancing Rock in Wicked Gardens Area
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Rock Garden in Wicked Gardens Area
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Wicked Gardens Trail Switchbacks to Summit of Little Red Rock Ridge Overlook
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Topping the Ridge, View Up Canyon To La Madre Pass Area Toward Kyle Canyon
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
View of Little Red Rock Area at Base of Damsel Peak
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Little Red Rock with Background of Rainbow Mts., Potosi Mt. & Blue Diamond Mt.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Las Vegas Valley, Frenchman Mt,, Sunrise Mt, Muddy Mountains, Faint AZ Black Mts
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Return to Scope Out Little El Padre Approach Saddle
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Approach Wash Choked with Boulders, But Not Too Bad...Just Weave Between
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Closing in on the Saddle
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Arrival at Saddle Base. Turn-around Point for Today. Ridge Summit Looks Only Cl 3
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
View Down Approach Saddle to Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin Area
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Hopeful Class 3 Approach to Launch Ramp Mountain Summit
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Hopeful Class 3 Approaches to Launch Ramp Mt. Ridge Area
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Back on Main Trail at Base of Approach Saddle: Entering "Hold Fast" Trail Split
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Las Vegas Strip Viewed from Hold Fast Trail. Windy, Clear Afternoon.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Las Vegas Strip Viewed from Hold Fast Trail. Windy, Clear Afternoon.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Close View of Little El Padre Mt Cliff
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Little El Padre Mt. and Notch Between Little La Madre. Climbers Present There Today.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Final Stretch Back to Upper End of Lake Mead Blvd. Las Vegas Valley Background.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Lone Mountain is Behind Mountain in Foreground. Gass Peak Tip Visible Beyond.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Descending the "Hold Fast" Trail Back to Upper Lake Mead Blvd.
 Summerlin Ridge, Nevada (aka Little La Madre)
Upper Lake Mead Blvd Visible, Continues to Advance. Spring of 2022.
 Little La Madre Mt Little El Padre Mt, Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada La Madre Mountain Viewed from Calico Basin, Nevada Perspective from the Upper End of Lake Mead Blvd. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Sheer Cliffs on West Side of Mts. Possible Approach Through the Saddle Between the Two | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Double Cliffs Guard Little El Padre. Class 5 to Ascend Directly | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Saddle Approach to West of Cliffs, Looks Hopeful. Will Explore Later. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Cliffs East of Saddle Approach. Class 3-5 Climbing Skills Needed | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Larger View of Cliffs from Opposite Ridge | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Larger View of Potential Approaches East of the Saddle. Some Possibilities on the Left. Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada I Call this Mountain Launch Ramp Mt. (West of Little El Padre Saddle. Ramp to the Left. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Further View of Launch Ramp Mt. and Its Approach Ridge to the West. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Straight On View of Launch Ramp Mt. Up Its Western Approach Ridge. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Entering the "Wicked Gardens" Trail Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Garden Blooms in the Wicked Gardens Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada More Spring Garden Blooms in the Wicked Gardens Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Wicked Balancing Rock in Wicked Gardens Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Rock Garden in Wicked Gardens Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Wicked Gardens Trail Switchbacks to Summit of Little Red Rock Ridge Overlook | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Topping the Ridge, View Up Canyon Toward La Madre Pass Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada View of Little Red Rock Area at Base of Damsel Peak | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Little Red Rock with Background of Rainbow Mts., Potosi Mt. and Blue Diamond Mt. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Las Vegas Valley, Frenchman Mt,, Sunrise Mt, Muddy Mountains, Faint Black Mts. of AZ | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Return to Scope Out Little El Padre Approach Saddle | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Approach Wash Choked with Boulders, But Not Too Bad...Just Weave Between | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Closing in on the Saddle | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Arrival at Saddle Base. Turn-around Point for Today. Ridge Summit Looks Only Class 3 | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada View Down Approach Saddle to Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Hopeful Class 3 Approach to Launch Ramp Mountain Summit | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Hopeful Class 3 Approaches to Launch Ramp Mt. Ridge Area | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Back on Main Trail at Base of Approach Saddle: Entering "Hold Fast" Trail Split | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Las Vegas Strip Viewed from Hold Fast Trail. Windy, Clear Afternoon. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Las Vegas Strip Viewed from Hold Fast Trail. Windy, Clear Afternoon. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Close View of Little El Padre Mt Cliff | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Little El Padre Mt. and Notch Between Little La Madre. Climbers Present There Today. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Final Stretch Back to Upper End of Lake Mead Blvd. Las Vegas Valley Background. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Lone Mountain is Behind Mountain in Foreground. Gass Peak Tip Visible Beyond. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Descending the "Hold Fast" Trail Back to Upper Lake Mead Blvd. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada Upper End of Lake Mead Blvd Visible. Lake Mead Blvd Continues to Advance. Spring of 2022. | Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt, Little Burnt Peak | Near La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
↑ Slide Guide ↑              ↑ Slide Guide ↑
City of Las Vegas Public Park Finder

 Summerlin Ridge Nevada (aka Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt) | Las Vegas Metro & Surrounding Areas

LasVegasNevada.gov Parks & Facilities Web Pages
↓ Map Guide ↓
↓ Video Guide ↓

Overview | Summerlin Ridge Nevada (aka Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt) | Las Vegas Metro & Surrounding Areas

This is an exploration adventure on an unofficial trail system along the base of Summerlin Ridge, Nevada through Little Red Rock and over to the base of Damsel Peak. I also explore a potential route up the NW side of Summerlin Ridge, Nevada toward the upper ridgeline. However, the main discovery is a cool network of unofficial trails in the Summerlin area just off upper Lake Mead Blvd. The close proximity of this trail network to the Las Vegas Metro area makes it a great daily workout location for hikers, runners and mountain bikers! If you have not yet discovered this cool area, it’s well worth a visit!

Why the Name “Little La Madre & Little El Padre?

Okay, I know I have a little explaining to do here. These two features are not in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness. To my knowledge they have no names other than being on a ridge referred to as Summerlin Ridge just beyond the Northwestern growth area of Las Vegas, Nevada.

I base my title on the following:

  1. Similarity: The two features are amazingly similar in shape to La Madre Mt. and El Padre Mountain. As with La Madre and El Padre Mountains viewed from the South, the one on the right (East) is a sharper, more pointy peak, the one on the left (West) is more elongated and rounded.
  2. The Notch: There is a “notch” saddle between the two.
  3. Proximity: The two features are near the Southeastern border of the La Madre Mountains Wilderness and actually a part of the same ridge system (Keystone Thrust) upon which La Madre and El Padre Mountains rest.
  4. Facing: The Southern facing approach to these mountains is a sharper cliff while the Northern facing approach is more gradual.
  5. Little Burnt Peak?: If you look closely, you can see a sharp peak to the left (West) of El Padre Mt., and a sharp peak to the left (West) of Little El Padre Mt. Similar in placement of Burnt Peak to the original La Madre & El Padre Mts?
  6. Elevation: One of the biggest differences is that Little La Madre & El Padre, at a little above 5,000ft, are about 3,000ft lower in elevation than La Madre and El Padre Mountains, a little above 8,000ft. Thus the name “Little La Madre” and “Little El Padre”.

In short, when Little La Madre & El Padre are compared to the actual La Madre and El Padre, they look like miniature versions of the originals (see the first 2 slides of the slide show on this page to compare the two features). Of course, no geological features are exact duplicates, but the similarity here, to me, is pretty striking.

Time of Year to Visit

Being just a little above 5,000ft in elevation, Little La Madre and El Padre Mts. are best visited between late Fall and early Spring as temperatures in this area at this elevation can easily reach 110 degrees during the Summer months!

Directions to Start Point | Summerlin Ridge Nevada (aka Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt) | Las Vegas Metro & Surrounding Areas

Begin at the upper end of Lake Mead Blvd off of Hwy 215 in Las Vegas. You’ll see a pullout on the right (North) side of Lake Mead Blvd. It looks like a future bus stop, so beware of parking there once the housing construction in the area is complete! In that case, you may need to go further up Lake Mead Blvd. looking for a new parking area.

↓ Narrative Guide ↓

Narrative Guide | Summerlin Ridge Nevada (aka Little La Madre Mt, Little El Padre Mt) | Las Vegas Metro & Surrounding Areas

You’ll notice a large ridge system ahead and a bit to the right (you can’t miss it). Start out heading along the base of this ridge system.

Initial Exploration | Scope Out the Mountain Base and Trails in the Canyon

Various Climbing Levels from Class 3 to Class 5

Little La Madre, Little El Padre and Little Burnt Peak, though about 3000ft lower in elevation than their namesakes. However they are still rather imposing with sheer cliffs facing their South and Western sides. For this reason, I decided to make this initial exploration to scope out the base of these mountains looking for various potential approaches. Turns out most of the approaches are class 4-5 ascents up sheer cliffs, but there are some potential class 3 approaches on both ends of the cliff areas.



The Canyon’s Extensive Trail System

In addition, I’m fascinated with the many well constructed and maintained trails in the large canyon at the South and Western sides of these mountains (above Lake Mead Blvd.). I believe that some mountain biking club is maintaining the trails? Some trails have small hand-made plaques giving trail names such as “Hold Fast” and “Wicked Gardens”, and I observe mostly small, scattered groups of mountain bikers along the trails. There are not enough bikers to disturb hikers or vice versa. I was one of only 2 hikers on the entire trail system this Saturday, when one might expect the highest volume of traffic. I saw only 4 or 5 small groups of mountain bikers.

The Trails Are Class 1-2, Easy to Navigate

Because the trails are made for mountain bikers they are all class 1-2 with gradual inclines and declines, few rocky obstacles, controlled dips and rises and fairly gentle turns. Basically, if you’re moving fairly rapidly on a mountain bike you’re not exposing yourself to potential disaster.

Central Canyon Circuit Trail

As I moved up beyond the current end of Lake Mead Blvd. and angled over toward the base of the cliffs, I soon found myself on one of these great trails. This particular trail turned out to make a large circuit of the canyon traveling up the North East side, circling around the upper canyon and then descending along the South West side back to Lake Mead Blvd. This is the main canyon trail and looked about 3-4 miles total.

Off-shoot Trails

Now there are off-shoot trails. One parallels the initial portion of the trail along the base of the Little La Madre, El Padre and Burnt Peak cliffs, only at a higher altitude. This is the “Hold Fast” trail. It’s about 2 miles in length and weaves along the upper cliff base of the mountains. Another off-shoot trail, “Wicked Gardens Trail” tops the ridge on the upper Southwestern end of the canyon. The top of that ridge gives an incredible view of the next valley where Little Red Rock sits at the base of Damsel Peak. Additional mountain biker grade trails weave beyond the ridgetop and down through the Little Red Rock Canyon.

My Route on This Initial Exploration Day

On this initial exploration day, my route was to head up the main trail at the base of the Little La Madre, El Padre and Burnt Peak cliffs, circle around the upper end of the canyon, then take the trail leading to the top of the ridge overlook of the Little Red Rock area. Then, I retraced my way back to the canyon wash leading to the upper saddle just beyond Little Burnt Peak. I went off trail to explore the canyon wash up to the base of the saddle and it’s final approach. That canyon has a lot of boulders, however, you can weave around the boulders without having to do much if any climbing. The final approach to the saddle at the top of the canyon wash looks like class 3 navigation, and the distance is only about a quarter mile. I’ll return to summit the saddle then explore the ridge in both directions.

Launch Ramp Mountain

If you top the saddle and take a left, you’ll be ascending a feature I call “Launch Ramp Mountain” since it has a long angled slope that looks like a ski jump or launch ramp. If you take a right at the top of the saddle you are heading up the ridge to the summit area of Little Burnt Peak, Little El Padre and Little La Madre mountains. Launch Ramp Mountain stretches along the top of the canyon that is above the upper end of Lake Mead Blvd. and is a pretty obvious landmark.

Images and Videos Document Potential Summit Approaches

Today I was able to get some great images and videos of the entire Northwestern, Western and Southwestern sides of Little Burnt Peak, Little El Padre and Little La Madre mountains along with potential approaches, which are clearly documented in the slide show and video on this page.

Finally, I returned back to Lake Mead Blvd. via the upper cliff-side “Hold Fast Trail”. This trail makes a great return route in the afternoon affording incredible views of the Las Vegas Strip and high points surrounding the Las Vegas Valley with just the right lighting. On this windy day the air was particularly clear.



Views Along Today’s Route

It’s hard to name all the mountain landmarks I observed along today’s route, but here are some of the main ones:

I’m missing a few landmarks, there were many more, but at this time I was able to identify these.

Summary
Little La Madre Mt | Little El Padre Mt (aka) Summerlin Peak, Nevada
Article Name
Little La Madre Mt | Little El Padre Mt (aka) Summerlin Peak, Nevada
Description
These two features are not in the La Madre Mountains Wilderness. To my knowledge they have no names other than being on a ridge referred to as Summerlin Ridge just beyond the Northwestern growth area of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Author
Publisher Name
LasVegasAreaTrails.com
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