Overview | Peak 2720 aka Calicone Peak | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

Explore this beautiful, remote, multi-colored volcanic peak off Lower Lonesome Wash just South of Las Vegas. Note: Caltopo designates this peak as Peak 2720. Peakery.com designates it as Peak 2740. Here we go with Caltopo’s designation.

Note the alternate approaches on the map (lined in purple). The approach from Mohave Overlook looks promising and will be tested during the next exploration. Yes, the route took an extra test run, but the result is well worth the effort.

Two Routes to Peak 2720 

Southern Route from Lower Lonesome Wash

The Southern route to Peak 2720 gives the most striking view of the peak as a calico colored volcanic cone (see the pictures above). The peak from the South reminds me of a snow-covered Alpine peak similar to the peaks in the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest. In addition, Lower Lonesome Wash is beautiful, secluded and ruled by large Long-Nosed Leopard Lizards. It’s a worthy destination in itself. However, the Southern route down Lonesome Wash, nearly to the banks of the Colorado River, is a near marathon distance. By the time you get within a mile of the peak you may be too exhausted and out of time to continue to the summit! This route was my initial exploration route due to the beauty of Peak 2720 from this direction.  

Western Route from Mohave Overlook

The Western route from Mohave Overlook descends to a wash that parallels and is just North of Lonesome Wash. This route is much more streamlined and about half the distance. However, Peak 2720 from the West lacks the spectacular calico volcanic cone/Alpine peak look.

Peak 2720 – Not Peak 1963!

On my first exploration of Lower Lonesome Wash, I saw this beautiful calico-colored volcanic cone just North of the wash. The map showed Peak 1963 as the closest peak to the wash, so I wrongly assumed the show-stopping calico-colored volcanic cone was Peak 1963. The beautiful calico-colored peak was begging for further exploration. By the time I saw the peak, I’d already clocked in between 14-15 miles on foot with another 11 miles uphill to get back to the starting point. This area is very remote with limited access! I knew I had to return for a closer experience of the beautiful calico-colored peak.

So, the next exploration of Lower Lonesome Wash was dedicated to reaching the calico-colored peak. As I neared the location of Peak 1963, what a surprise to find it was an insignificant-looking rocky mound, and the beautiful calico-colored volcanic cone was another mile beyond requiring a 500ft descent followed by an ascent of around 1,800ft. The correct designation for the calico-colored cone turned out to be Peak 2720. Unnamed peaks are identified by their elevation in feet, thus, Peak 1963 is 1,963ft in elevation; Peak 2720, at 2,720ft is 843ft higher!

At the half-way point of a marathon distance, with an uphill return against a strong wind with 33mph gusts, I knew the unexpected addition of the higher, more distant Peak 2720 deserved yet another dedicated adventure. However, during this second exploration of Lower Lonesome Wash, I at least identified the right peak along with a potential route to get there.   

To be fair, the dark, drab rocky hill called Peak 1963 itself deserves a climb, promising a close, spectacular view of the Colorado River. 

What Are the White Streaks on Peak 2720?

For now let’s consider the question, “What are those distinctive white streaks that contribute so much to the beauty and art of this dormant volcanic cone?

The white streaks are made up of a fine, soft powder formed by minerals depositing around active or former fumaroles (steam vents). These deposits are commonly gypsum (calcium sulfate), salammoniac (ammonium chloride), or alteration products like kaolinite and alunite. 

• Composition: Often calcium carbonate, gypsum, or silica, resulting from water and gas interacting with volcanic rock.
• Location: Primarily found in “draws” or paths where rainwater flows, as well as near fumaroles.
• Appearance: They can appear as powdery, soft, white crusts or patches.
• Other Possibilities: Sometimes the white, powdery material is simply volcanic ash or pumicite from past explosive eruptions.
• Distinction: Unlike the yellow or white-yellow of pure sulfur, these deposits are typically bright white and do not smell.

Beautiful But Deadly!

Beware of a health hazard involving the white streaks on this volcanic cone! Remember the “longest word in the English language”, we learned about in elementary school to test out spelling ability? Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is “a lung disease caused by inhalation of very fine silica dust usually found in volcanos”. Silica dust is composed of fine, cancer-causing glass particles. It’s also been known to be sucked into aircraft engines where it melts in the high heat causing catastrophic engine failure. During your visit to Peak 2720, try not to inhale the white dust. In fact, steer clear by skirting the darker edges around those white streaks. Enjoy the unique beauty, but keep your distance!

Best Time of Year to Visit Peak 2720 aka Calicone Peak

The long adventure of over 26 miles on foot from Nevada Highway 165 or 17-miles on foot if you have a high-center or 4WD vehicle to navigate wilderness Roads E and F (see the map) requires day with at least 12 daylight hours. However, you want to avoid the dangerously high heat of the longest Summer days, where the temperature can easily exceed 120 degrees. The ideal is the longest early Spring or late Fall day where the high temperature in Las Vegas is predicted to be below 175 degrees. This leaves a very small window of opening!  I at least 5 liters of hydration. 

A two-day adventure, camping in lower Lonesome Wash during the Winter could work. Pick a day where the night temperature will not fall below 50 degrees, and come prepared for a cool night. Another idea would be to travel the Colorado River to Penlon Bend Cove and hike up its wash about a mile to Peak 2027. Either way, encountering Peak 2720 up front and close is sure to be an incredible, worth-while experience.

Trailhead Directions | Peak 2720 aka Calicone Peak | 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 | Peak 2720 aka Calicone Peak | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

Peak 2720 Via Lower Lonesome Wash

This was my initial exploration of a route to Peak 2720 inspired by its astonishing Alpine look from Lower Lonesome Wash only a mile from the banks of the Colorado River.

Route Summary

This marathon distance of a route began on Nelson Hwy 165, first crossing 3 miles of open desert to the East toward wilderness Road F at the base of Peeper Benchmark. If you have a high centered or 4WD vehicle you can shave off about 8 miles of the distance. After a right turn onto Road F and about a mile toward Mohave Overlook take a right into a canyon just a quarter mile before Mohave Overlook. Wind through that canyon for about a quarter mile to the descent point into the Lonesome Wash Approach Wash. Descend into the approach wash and continue down that wash until it empties into Lonesome Wash. Take a left to head down Lonesome Wash for about 6 miles to within a mile of the Colorado River. Turn left up a gully toward the now visible calico colored Peak 2720. Wind through the gully for a half mile, then ascend a ridge where Peak 2020 becomes visible just a mile away. If you have the energy and time (I did not), continue toward Peak 2020 descending about 500 feet to the base of the peak. Finally summit the peak – the West ridge looks to be the easiest route to the summit. From the summit you can either retrace the route back through Lonesome Wash to your starting point or continue North toward Forlorn Hope Peak, finally circling the South side of Peeper Benchmark, then returning to your starting point. Additional route variations are drawn out on the map.

Nelson Hwy 165 to Wilderness Road F

Begin heading East toward the North edge of Peeper Benchmark. Round the intervening ridges on their lower North side. This 3-mile stretch through flat, open desert may seen boring to some, but to me its magical! The surrounding views include the River Mountains, Boulder City, the Railroad Mountains and the North McCullough Wilderness all the the North. Remember the look of the Nelson Hills to the West. This will be your reference point for the return trip. The rugged heights of the Eldorado Wilderness are to the South. The the East — the direction you are headed are Pilot Cone, Pilot Mesa and Peeper Benchmark. The desert is wide-open, and though you can see so many reference points, including all of Boulder City, you are pretty much “invisible in plain sight”. I’ll never forget passing through this stretch of open desert during a super bloom!

Wilderness Road F to the Lonesome Wash Approach Wash

You’ll come across wilderness Road F at the North base of Peeper Benchmark. Road F is the driving route to Mohave Overlook. Take a right onto wilderness Road F and continue South up that road along the West side of Peeper Benchmark. About a quarter-mile before Road F ends at Mohave Overlook you’ll see a some posts marking a narrow canyon to the right. If you’re driving the wilderness roads from Hwy 95, park here to begin your adventure on foot. Turn right at the posts to wind about a quarter-mile through the canyon on an old road/trail to the edge of the plateau overlooking the approach wash that heads to Lonesome Wash.

Lonesome Wash Approach Wash to Lonesome Wash

From the plateau overlooking Lonesome Wash Approach Wash, descend a brief but steep rocky slope into the approach wash. The slope, though steep with a loose rock surface, is fairly easy to descend if you carefully weave your way downward. Soon you’ll land in the Lonesome Wash Approach Wash below. The approach wash is a very gradual descent of about a mile to Lonesome Wash. There is even an occasional faint trail to help guide your way. The approach wash empties into the much wider Lonesome Wash amid beautiful fields of Teddy Bear Cholla Cacti!

Lonesome Wash to the Peak 2720 Approach Gully

Take a left to begin heading down Lonesome Wash. Rugged, towering volcanic heights on either side of Lonesome Wash add to the wilderness beauty. I see things in Lonesome Wash that I have not seen anywhere else. There are huge fields of Teddy Bear Cholla Cacti glowing in the sunlight, especially near the place you first entered the wash from the approach wash below Mohave Overlook.

Long-Nosed Leopard Lizards Rule the Wash!

On this day there were many scurrying lizards…I think they were red spotted Long-Nosed Leopard Lizards (Gambelia wislizenii wislizenii). They looked larger than any of the pictures I’ve seen of that species and seemed to be running on their hind legs. Some were chasing the smaller Western Side Blotched Lizards. They were all too fast to photograph and I was heading for a distant goal. It’s important to note that the lizard activity was at its height during this first week in April due to a record high temperature in the upper 90’s during the previous two weeks in March. That must have awoken the lizards from their Winter hibernation. This week was suddenly cooler, in the 70’s, allowing a nice return to Lonesome Wash after the lizards had all become active. It might not be easy to repeat this lizard experience in Lonesome Wash.

Continue for down Lonesome Wash for about 4 miles. You can actually see Peak 2020 about half-way down, but from the Southwest it does not look like a volcanic cone. You could even take a shortcut to the peak, but you may never see it as a calico volcanic cone in all its glory. Just about a mile from the Colorado River look to your left for a striking view of Peak 2020 looking very much like an Alpine volcanic cone!

Peak 2720 Approach Gully to Peak 2720

About a mile from the Colorado River, turn left (North) toward Peak 2720. The approach gully doubles the distance to Peak 2720 due to many twists and turns. Peak 2720 will disappear along the way and when you’re nearly even with Peak 1963, ascend to the summit of a ridge just to the West to view Peak 2720 and your final approach to get there. The final approach involves a 500ft descent into a large wash on the South side of the peak, followed by a nearly 1,000ft ascent to the summit. The Western ridgeline leading to the summit looks most promising. See the route summary above for guidance on reaching the summit and what to do next.

Turnaround Point for This Adventure

Mistakenly thinking that volcanic cone was Peak 1963, I realized my error when I reached Peak 1963 and saw Peak 2720 still a mile ahead with an approach more complicated than I had expected, already at the 12-mile point in this adventure. For today, this became my turnaround point in light of the 12-mile uphill return against a strong wind with 30mph gusts (1/3rd the strength of a hurricane!

Lonesome Wash Approach Summary

To me, every wilderness experience is magical whether or not I make a destination. The unexpected twists and turns and surprises make the experience hugely worthwhile. In this case, I was able to map out a number of alternate approaches to and returns from Peak 2720, creating a more streamlined approach. The many scurrying Long-Nosed Leopard Lizards ruled the day, adding to the adventure!