Overview | Monument Peak Summit | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Slide Guide to be posted week of 4/26/2026!

Monument Peak, though an outstanding landmark in the Rainbow Mountains of Nevada, is yet “invisible in plain sight”! From Hwy 158 along the East base of the Rainbow Mountains our eyes are accustomed to seeing the main peaks: Rainbow Mountain and Mt. Wilson. The more experienced observer might be able to point out Indecision Peak, Black Velvet Peak and Windy Peak. But even some of the most experienced, careful observers might miss Monument Peak, though its majestic presence is there in plain sight, between Black Velvet Peak and Indecision Peak. Monument peak’s massive presence is the reason Hidden Peak behind it is “hidden”.

Avid mountain climbers in the Rainbow Mountains also seem to be missing this spectacular monument of a peak. Though the summit register has been in place for over a quarter century, there are just a handful of signatures.

Multiple Monument Peaks

Those who have been to Monument Peak may be surprised to discover that Monument Peak is just part of a collection of Monument Peaks. The peak we summited has a saddle with a beautiful tinaja along with another high Monument point to the North. Looking around there are a few additional surrounding monumental pillars, almost as impressive, but accessible only to technical climbers.

Spectacular Views from Monument Peak Summit

Monument Peak Summit is an outstanding landmark from afar, and views from the summit are equally outstanding! It’s like standing on the bow of a ship. To the South are the Southern Rainbow Mountains: Black Velvet Peak, Windy Peak, Hollow Rock Peak and South Peak. To the West is Hidden Peak. To the North are Sandstone Peak, Indecision Peak and Mt. Wilson. Red Rock Canyon’s scenic drive area along with the Calico Hills, Turtlehead Peak and Gray Cap Ridgeline stand out in brilliant full color with a background of the La Madre Mountains and Damsel Peak. To the far North you can see the tips of Mt. Charleston, Griffith Peak and Mummy Mountain. Blue Diamond Hill is just below to the East with a background of the Las Vegas Strip and Frenchman Mountain. There’s a lot more, but these are the reference points that immediately stand out.

Getting to Monument Peak – Route Summary

If you know where you’re going, it’s not hard to get to Monument Peak. From the Mountain Springs Trailhead on Hwy 160, head up past the communications towers, then up the approach trail to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline Trail above. Take a left on the Ridgeline trail and continue a couple miles to a sharp descent toward Hidden Peak and Little Zion. Split off to the right at a cairn and continue along that cairn route down a steep beehive sandstone slope, then along the North base of Hidden Peak. Once past Hidden Peak, continue at the same altitude heading South for about a mile hugging the base of the Rainbow Mountain Range cliffs. Ascend a steep gully to a small platform just below a 20ft wall. Ascend the wall, then ascend the more gradual sandstone slopes to the left (South) of the beautiful tinaja above that wall toward the summit mound high point to the upper left. Circle around the right side of that high point, then take the easy walk behind and up to the summit. Had it not been so windy…with 35-40mph gusts–1/3rd of a level 3 hurricane–we might have braved the easy walk across the saddle and tinaja to the North end of the summit.

Difficulty Level

Except for a brief 20ft class 4 wall, the entire route we took to Monument Peak summit is mostly class 2 with a few class 3 rock scrambles. Even the wall just mentioned is not entirely vertical and has a nice crack aiding a short free climb with no exposure other than it’s 20ft height. That said, I was happy to be aided by John’s webbing placement. 

Trailhead Directions | Monument Peak Summit | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Take I-215 to the Charleston Blvd. Exit in Summerlin, then head upward toward Red Rock Park. Pass Red Rock Park, continuing on Hwy 159. Pass the town of Blue Diamond, then turn right onto Hwy 160 toward Pahrump. Hwy 160 will ascend upward to a high point just before the town of Mountain Springs. Around that high point park at the Mountain Springs Trailhead on your right. The trailhead has no marking and is a hard right turn off Hwy 160 onto a dirt road and into an area that looks like an unimproved campground with scattered areas to park. If you are the first to arrive in the morning it’s not obvious that you are at a trailhead. To make the Mountain Springs trailhead even more difficult to recognize there is a large sign at the entrance “Residential Use Only”.

Narrative Guide | Monument Peak Summit | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

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