Overview | Mummy Mountain Nose from Lee Canyon Rd | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Slide Guide will appear during Summer of 2024

Where is Mummy’s Nose?

Mummy Mountain forms a very distinctive silhouette of a Mummy, especially seen from the South rim of Kyle Canyon at sunrise (see the slideshow on the 4-Peak Circuit page). Mummy’s Head is formed by a few distinctive high points on the North Side of Mummy Mountain including Mummy’s Forehead, Mummy’s Nose and Mummy’s Chin. Yes, from a distance at the right angle all these features come into sharp focus. But when you’re up there on any of these high points, the collective image of Mummy’s Head disappears. All the features are mixed up. For example, the nose is actually further North than the forehead! Whose nose is above their forehead??!!!

All Mummy’s Nose Adventures on LasVegasAreaTrails.com

Try them out. Each one is a unique adventure with its own unique route!

• Mummy’s Nose Final Summit Approach from Deer Creek Road
• Mummy’s Nose Eastern Ridge from Deer Creek Road
• Mummy’s Nose North Alpine Loop from Deer Creek Road
• Mummy’s Nose Summit from Lee Canyon

Spectacular Views from Mummy’s Nose (elevation 10,751 ft (3,277 m)

At any rate, Mummy’s Nose, because of its prominent height on the North end of Mummy Mountain has a spectacular 360-degree view including surrounding reference points such as (clockwise direction):

• Mummy’s Toe (summit elevation 10,928 feet, 3331 meters)

• Mummy’s Knees

• Mummy’s Tummy (highest summit on Mummy Mountain at elevation 11,529 feet, 3514 meters)

• Mummy’s Chin (summit elevation 11,040 feet, 3365 meters)

• Mummy’s Forehead (summit elevation 11,043 feet, 3366 meters)

• Charleston Peak (summit elevation 11,916 feet, 3632 meters)

• Lee Peak (summit elevation 11,025 feet, 3360 meters) (and Lee Canyon)

• Sisters South (summit elevation 10,197+ feet, 3108+ meters)

• Sisters North (summit elevation 10,043 feet, 3,061 meters)

• Black Rock Sister (summit elevation 9669 feet, 2947 meters)

• Macks Peak (summit elevation 10,036 feet / 3,059 meters)

• McFarland Peak (summit elevation 10,745 feet, 3275 meters)

• Bonanza Peak (summit elevation 10,397 feet, 3169 meters)

• Sheep Range (summit elevation 9,924 feet, 3,025 meters)

• Gass Peak (summit elevation 6937 feet, 2114 meters)

• Las Vegas Valley (summit elevation approximately 2,030 feet, 620 meters) and Beyond 

• Angel Peak (summit elevation 8858+ feet, 2700+ meters)

• Fletcher Peak (elevation 10,319 feet, 3,145 meters)

If this is your first time on Mummy Mountain, you might want to visit Mummy’s Tummy, Mummy’s Toe and Mummy’s Nose for a great introduction.

The Route to Mummy’s Nose

This is the shortest adventure route to Mummy’s Nose from Lee Canyon. It begins at the wide parking area on the right (West) side of Lee Canyon Road just a mile above that road’s intersection with Deer Creek Road (the Mt. Charleston turnoff). Head up Avalanche Trail Road, then ascend a long ridgeline along the South (right) side of the main gully descending from the cliffs above. Cross the gully and ascend to the “V”-shaped saddle at the summit of the gully. At the saddle, take a left along a trail, then ascend the rocky ridgeline to the summit of Mummy’s Nose (more detail below).

Best Time of Year to Summit Mummy’s Nose

The best time of year for this adventure is Summer. Even on this day (early July), when the temperature in the Las Vegas Valley was a scorching 116 degrees, the temperature at the summit of Mummy’s Nose was comfortable — between 70 and 80 degrees! On the other hand, during mid-Fall through late-Spring, there will be potentially treacherous snowy and icy conditions on the upper slopes. Sometimes, with the proper equipment, a blanket of snow can actually smooth out the route. But be equipped and experienced!  

Route Starting Point Directions | Mummy Mountain Nose from Lee Canyon Rd | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Take Hwy 95 North from Las Vegas for about 10 miles past the residential developments. Turn left onto Lee Canyon Road (after the Desert National Wildlife Refuge exit). Begin from a large parking area on the West side of Lee Canyon Road (Hwy 156) about a mile past its intersection with Deer Creek Road (Hwy 158).

Narrative Guide | Mummy Mountain Nose from Lee Canyon Rd | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada

Scope Out Your Entire Route from the Parking Area

From the parking area on the West (right) side of Lee Canyon Road, you can see your entire route to Mummy’s Nose. Take time to look up and see two cliff high points with a “V” shaped saddle between. The high point to the left of the saddle is Mummy’s Nose. The high point to the right of the saddle is Mummy’s Forehead. This big picture view will serve you well as you head up the unmarked, often pathless route to Mummy’s Nose.

Lee Canyon Road to Ascent Ridge

Now, take a right and head up Lee Canyon Road to the first road branching left across from Lee Canyon Road. This is Avalanche Trail Road, about 500ft from the parking area. Take a left on Avalanche Trail Road and before it circles to the right (about 500ft), notice two gullies on the left. Ascend the ridge between the two gullies. This will be your main ascent ridge to the saddle you viewed a moment ago. Note that early on the ascent ridge you’ll cross Avalanche Trail Road again (it has circled around). Cross Avalanche Trail Road and continue ascending the ridge (ridgeline pathway resumes immediately across the road).

Ascent Ridge to the Saddle’s Very Steep Approach Slope

As you ascend the ridge, a faint trail will at first appear then disappear. Keep the big picture in mind to guide you. You’re heading for the “V”-shaped saddle above and the ridgeline you’re ascending is on the right (North) side of the main gully reaching down from the saddle. Higher up on the ridgeline a well-defined trail will appear on the ridgeline, now obviously paralleling the right (North) side of the main gully. Eventually that trail will descend into the gully. Now continue up the gully for about a quarter mile. There are some bypass trails along parts of the left (South) side of the gully that avoid the boulders in the gully.

Ascending the Very Steep Slope to the Saddle

Higher up in the gully there will be a smaller branching gully to the right. At this dividing point, head up the steep slope to the left of the main gully. Yes, the slope is very steep, with a loose rock surface causing you to carefully place each step you take!

You’ll see a faint trail that will guide up up this slope all the way to the saddle. There are points where the trail will disappear, especially where you need to ascend a few brief class 3 rocky stretches as you climb up and over a few limestone ledges along the way. But the trail will again appear above the ledges as you keep your focus and direction toward the saddle above. Eventually, you’ll see a blue sky horizon ahead, marking the location of the saddle! Near the saddle the angle of incline will taper off a bit, a very welcome respite from the grueling ascent.

The view ahead beyond the saddle reveals the Summit of Mummy Mountain, Mummy’s Toe and Fletcher Peak. It’s pretty amazing to see that entire area open up before you!

From the Saddle to Mummy’s Nose

Once on the saddle, recall the main features you saw from Lee Canyon below: A ridge to your right leading to Mummy’s Forehead and a ridge to your left leading to Mummy’s Nose.

Now that you’re on the saddle, notice a cliff above to your right (South). If you were a very experienced, skilled rock climber you might ascend this cliff and then take the long gradual, forested slope above to Mummy’s Forehead. Or, you could descend the steep slope on the other side of the saddle and circle to your right around the base of the cliffs until you find a less insane ascent point to Mummy’s Forehead. 

Much more welcoming is the nice trail on the left (North) side of the saddle leading up a gradual slope toward Mummy’s Nose! Head up this nice trail. Soon the trail will end at a rather steep class 3 rocky incline. Watch for cairns. Ascend this not horribly difficult incline. Above the incline turn right to navigate a narrow ledge (wide enough that it’s not frightening), then circle around to the next higher level on the upper ridgeline. At this point the angle of incline decreases and you’re on the final sometimes rocky, sometimes forested slope to Mummy’s Nose, which you can now see ahead!

As you continue the final approach ridge to the summit of Mummy’s Nose, look around to see the spectacular view expanding in all directions (high points both close and distant identified above). And then, before you know it, you’re standing on the grand, prominent summit of Mummy’s Nose!

Descending Back to Lee Canyon Road

You can either turn around and retrace your way back to Lee Canyon Road, or you can turn this adventure into a grand circuit. For the circuit, you would descend the far side of Mummy’s Nose, locate a descent gully, then angle left back toward Lee Canyon Road. Eventually you’d connect with upper Avalanche Trail Road above Lee Canyon Road and take that road down to Lee Canyon Road. I have not tested this circuit route, but it appears possible. On the summit of Mummy’s Nose we met climbers who had ascended the far side of the nose from the Deer Creek Road area below.

Mummy’s Nose Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed the challenging route from Lee Canyon Road to the summit of Mummy’s Nose. Along the way you’ve experienced spectacular views along with being able to scope out some additional potential routes including routes to Mummy’s Forehead, Chin, Summit and Toes.