Rainbow Mountain Eastern Cliffs Rock Climbers | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Overview | Rainbow Mountain Eastern Cliffs Rock Climbers | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Adventure Goals

There were two goals for this adventure:

1. Discover whether the canyon between Rainbow Mountain and Juniper Peak (Juniper Canyon) might be an approach to the mid-section of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline.
2. Scope out the summit approach for Juniper Peak.

Even though my route took a very different direction than intended, I did accomplish these two goals and added a third great result: Exploration of the base of Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern cliffs and the rock climbing performed there.

Spectacular Views from the Base of Rainbow Mountain

A very good rock climber’s approach trail will take you to the base of Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern cliffs. Along the way you’ll experience sweeping views of Red Rock Canyon. To the Northeast there’s El Padre and La Madre Mountains on the La Madre Mountains Ridgeline. To the East there are Turtlehead Peak and Damsel Peak (Pincushion Peak) and a portion of Las Vegas Valley. To the Southeast there is Blue Diamond Hill.

Best Time of Year for This Adventure

Go for Spring of Fall. Winter may be okay, but you’ll risk freezing temperatures and icy conditions which can make traversing over rocks and boulders very risky. I wouldn’t attempt this adventure within 24 hours of rain.

Directions to the Start Point | Rainbow Mountain Eastern Cliffs Rock Climbers | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

From I-215 take the Charleston Blvd exit (at Red Rock Casino) and head upward through Summerlin toward Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It’s the first right turn after Calico Basin. Take the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive to the West side of Red Rock Canyon. Pine Creek Canyon will be the next major trailhead parking area past Icebox Canyon.

↓ Narrative Guide ↓

Narrative Guide | Rainbow Mountain Eastern Cliffs Rock Climbers | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

From Pine Creek Canyon Trailhead to Juniper Canyon

Begin by taking the Pine Creek Canyon Trail which at first descends from the parking area into Pine Creek Canyon, then begins to ascend. You’ll pass the Fire Ecology Loop Trail to your left and continue on past the Dales Trail to your right, finally arriving at the Pine Creek Loop Trail. Take a left onto the Pine Creek Loop Trail, which also doubles as the Knoll Trail. After passing through a marshy area, as the trail begins to loop to the right and up Pine Creek Canyon, take the only split to the left. It’s pretty obvious. This is the Knoll Trail, though it may be unmarked at the point where it diverges from the Pine Creek Loop Trail. The Knoll Trail will take you up the Southern ridgeline of Pine Creek Canyon and along the East side of Juniper Peak. Some of the views mentioned above really begin to open up once you top the ridge! In addition, look back to see a sweeping view of Pine Creek Canyon, Mescalito Pyramid and Bridge Mountain.

Huge Reference Boulder at Juniper Canyon’s Opening

Once you reach the Southeastern base of Juniper Peak, notice a huge boulder. This will be your reference point for the return trip no matter whether you’re heading for Juniper Peak or the Eastern cliffs of Rainbow Mountain. You can even see the boulder from the Oak Creek trailhead area, which is another approach to this point. However, I believe the Oak Creek trailhead area approach is a bit longer.

Big Picture View of the Juniper Peak Summit Route

If you’re heading for Juniper Peak, circle around the South side of the peak, continuing along its base. You’re now in Juniper Canyon. The route will eventually descend into an area choked with brush. It will be a challenge to make a course through the brush. Eventually the angle of ascent will dramatically increase as you emerge from the brush into a scree field circling to the right between two high cliff lines. You’ll continue to ascend on a white Jurassic Era sandstone slab, hugging the base of the Western cliff to your left. As you reach a high ridgeline, take a left for your final approach to Juniper Peak‘s summit. Of course, it’s not as simple as that. This is the big picture view I saw from the base of Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern cliffs far above and across Juniper Canyon. I point this route out in the video on this page. It helps to know your basic route to Juniper Peak‘s summit if that is your destination, because when you’re navigating the brush and boulders in the canyon below you will not have this large point of reference.

Congestion on the Juniper Peak Summit Route

One more note for Juniper Peak climbers: Expect a lot of company, especially on weekend days in the Spring and Fall months. During the final ascent, on busy days, you may need to take a number and wait your turn! There are no actual numbers being handed out, but you get the picture! Part of the reason for the congestion is that Juniper Peak is a fairly easy class 2 climb with just a few class 3 (hands needed) sections. Very rewarding experience minus the risks you could experience scaling other peaks in the Rainbow Mountains.

Does Juniper Canyon Lead to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline?

My observation of Juniper Canyon from above says that unless you’re an experienced rock climber prepared to scale vertical cliffs, Juniper Canyon is not a good route to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline. And, even for experienced rock climbers, by the time you reached the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, you’d have no time left to explore the ridgeline. This leaves Oak Creek Canyon (between Rainbow Mountain and Mt. Wilson) as the most likely route to reach the mid-section of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline.

Upward Toward the Base of Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs

Now for my own route deviation. Back at that large reference boulder I pointed out at the opening to Juniper Canyon, I saw some cairns leading across the canyon wash and thought I might avoid the brush by going high along the canyon’s South side. Wrong decision if you want to ascend the Juniper Canyon toward Juniper Peak and get an experience of the upper canyon. But great if you want to experience the base of Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs and get a big picture of Juniper Canyon from above! After crossing the Juniper Canyon wash I found myself on a good trail where brush and boulders were no longer a problem. Hindsight says this is the main rock climber’s trail to Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs. All I knew at this moment was, “This is a great trail.” So I continued.

Realization the Trail Was Heading Toward Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs

As the trail began to rise dramatically upward above Juniper Canyon it soon became clear that it was not going to lead up Juniper Canyon. But since it was such a great trail I continued upward. And this route was giving me quite an aerial view of Juniper Canyon and other great reference points in the distance all the way to the Black Mountains in Arizona!

Experiencing Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs

Eventually, the trail brought me to the base of Rainbow Mountain’s towering Eastern Cliffs. It’s pretty impressive looking straight up vertical cliff walls rising around 2,000 feet to Rainbow Mountains 6,924ft summit.

Rock Climbers on Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs

Equally impressive is watching the tiny specks of rock climbers scaling those cliffs like insects on a wall! I took some close-up video of the climbers on this page. It seems impossible, where one might find a hold on the cliff face. There are a few well-placed ledges for rest, but even the ledges appear narrow and dangerous. This is definitely NOT on my bucket list, but it was great fun to watch and film. These are world class rock climbers in the world class rocking destination of Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern cliffs.

Return Trip and Observation of Rock Climbers on Juniper Peak’s Southern Cliffs

For the return trip, the good rock climber’s trail served well. There were a few class 3 (hands needed) spots to lower myself during the descent. Nothing really difficult for this non-rock-climber. And, that huge boulder at the base of Juniper Canyon was visible from way above at the base of Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern Cliffs. Also, during the descent I noticed and filmed rock climbers scaling Juniper Peak‘s Southern cliffs. Along with Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern cliffs, Juniper Peak is also a world-class rock climbing destination.

Conclusion

In summary, Rainbow Mountain’s Eastern cliffs are an awesome destination even if you’re not a rock climber. And, it may not be a bad idea to take this route before ascending Juniper Peak, just to get a big picture view before diving into the brush and boulders on that summit route along the base of Juniper Canyon.