Overview | Lonesome Wash to the Colorado River | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

Video, Narrative and Slide Guides will appear during the week of 2/22/2026

aka “The Lonesome Wash Marathon”: Nelson Hills to Lonesome Wash Cove. Traverse a rarely seen and documented remote area through the heart of Nevada’s Eldorado Wilderness!

Though it clocks in just less than the official marathon distance of 26.2188 miles, this 25.52 mile distance makes up the difference in terrain. Its 2,657ft loss, then regain is all through pathless wilderness.

But the main story is the incredible wilderness immersion through the heart of Nevada’s Eldorado Wilderness, from the West to the East end. The distance and remoteness makes this stretch of wilderness largely unknown, very rarely traversed and photographed. This is likely the first video you’ve seen of the area. Every moment is sheer wonder and discovery.

This most streamlined route from the Nelson Hills area on Nelson Hwy 165 to Lonesome Wash Cove on the Colorado River crosses desert wilderness, descends to Lonesome Wash at Mohave Overlook, then descends Lonesome Wash to the Banks of the Colorado River at Lonesome Wash Cove.

This adventure covers Lonesome Wash from below Mohave Overlook to the Colorado River. To complete the entire length of Lonesome Wash see Upper Lonesome Wash.

Directions to Starting Point | Lonesome Wash to the Colorado River | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

The Eldorado Wilderness is South of Las Vegas. Take Interstate 11 South toward Hoover Dam. Just after the Railroad Pass exit, take a right onto exit 14 to Hwy 95 toward Searchlight. Then, take a left onto Hwy 165. You’ll soon see well-placed, attractive interpretive signs for the Eldorado Wilderness and Nelson Hills. There is an Eldorado Trailhead, but you want to park at a wide spot by the road a couple miles before the trailhead.

Narrative Guide | Lonesome Wash to the Colorado River | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

Video, Narrative and Slide Guides will appear during the week of 2/22/2026