Lovell Canyon Ridgelines | Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Lovell Canyon’s bordering ridgelines give the canyon both a majestic and an intimate feeling. The towering ridgelines create a majestic look while enclosing the canyon in its own unique, intimate wilderness area.
There are four major ridgelines bordering Lovell Canyon:
- The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline in the canyon’s Southeast area.
- Wilson Ridgeline on the canyon’s East side.
- Sexton Ridgeline on the canyon’s West side.
- The Griffith/Harris Saddle on the canyon’s upper North end.
Spectacular Lovell Canyon Ridgeline Views
These spectacular ridgelines add over 20 additional adventure possibilities to Lovell Canyon’s four main official trails (
Lovell Canyon Trail; Lovell Canyon Loop; Schaefer Springs Loop; Griffith Shadow Loop). Where the
Griffith Shadow Loop gives a great overview of
Lovell Canyon at mid-elevation, the ridgelines offer a spectacular eagle’s view of the canyon, its surrounding wilderness areas and far beyond.
Pathless Wilderness on Lovell Canyon’s Bordering Ridgelines
However, in contrast to the established trails, the
Lovell Canyon ridgelines are pure pathless wilderness. In order to traverse these ridgelines, you will need some basic wilderness navigational skills. Navigation along the ridgelines is aided by the fact that you are on a ridgeline. Just stay as close to the upper center as possible. You’ll experience some light class 3 rock scrambling in a few places (need to use both hands and feet). There will be some steep, loose-rock slopes, especially on the approach to the ridgelines. But for the most part, you’re traversing gentle slopes with wide-open views. The
Sexton Ridgeline and upper
Wilson Ridgeline have the most gentle slopes. The
Rainbow Mountain Upper Crest Ridgeline is marked with a series of 1-200ft high points to traverse. The lower
Wilson Ridgeline, wildest and most isolated, is marked with a series of frequent high points over 300ft that are like their own individual mountain summits. In addition, there are a few major vertical canyon gaps in the
Wilson Ridgeline. To traverse the
Griffith/Harris Saddle is to summit two mountain peaks with 1,500-2,000ft inclines from the saddle below.
Lovell Canyon Ridgeline Precautions
Know that during your adventure on these isolated ridgelines you will not see another soul. It’s a good idea to gain ridgeline experience by gradual degrees. Summit a ridgeline and become familiar with the summit route. In a later adventure, move on to traversing sections of the ridgeline. Become familiar with multiple ridgeline access routes so you can easily find a close route to descend from the ridgeline. I call this an “
escape route“…you need one every few miles on each ridgeline. On the isolated
Wilson Ridgeline, nearly every high point has its own descent ridge back to the base of Lovell Canyon. Bring everything you need, and know your limits. Shorter initial adventures will help you establish your limits in this kind of terrain. Have a clear turn-around time and stick to it. And finally, it’s not advised to traverse these wild ridgelines in the dark! Stick to daylight hours.
Overnight Loop Adventure on the Lovell Canyon Ridgelines
A one-day out-and-back or loop adventure on the ridgelines requires ultra-marathon energy. For example, from the
Lovell Canyon Trailhead to the summit of Griffith Peak and back is over 20 miles with an elevation gain of over 5,000ft. Compare the 4,500ft ascent from
Kyle Canyon to Charleston Peak. A great loop strategy might be to begin at the
Lovell Canyon Trailhead and ascend to
Griffith Peak Summit. Spend an incredible starry night there. You want to have stashed extra water and overnight gear on
Griffith Peak the day before via the shorter
Griffith Peak Trail from
Kyle Canyon.
On Day 2, take the
Griffith/Harris Saddle from
Griffith Peak Summit to
Harris Mountain Summit. Finally, descend the
Wilson Ridge to its
Southern High Point, then back to the
Lovell Canyon Trailhead. That’s an adventure you will never forget!
2013 Carpenter Fire Burn Area
You’ll instantly notice the absence of trees along
Sexton Ridge, upper
Wilson Ridge and the
Griffith/Harris Saddle. This is due to the
2013 Carpenter 1 Fire which destroyed the majestic
Pinyon,
Ponderosa,Â
Bristlecone Pine and
Mountain Mahogany forests on these ridgelines. This is a tragedy that will take nature centuries to repair. However, the absence of trees for now creates open spectacular views along with
fields of wildflowers. Respect the recovering burn area and tread lightly! There are a number of articles on the
Carpenter 1 Fire. Here are a few:
Lovell Canyon Ridgelines Conclusion
To traverse the majestic
Lovell Canyon Ridgelines is to experience the canyon and the vast wilderness of
Southern Nevada in a unique and unforgettable way. You’ll see surrounding areas including The
Mt. Charleston Wilderness,
Las Vegas Valley,
Lake Mead,
Potosi Mountain,
Red Rock Canyon,
Rainbow Mountains Wilderness,
Nopah Range and all the way to
Telescope Peak on the West side of
Death Valley and
Mt. Wilson in the
Arizona Black Mountains. That’s just a short list! Enjoy!
