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Rainbow Mountain Peaks | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
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↓ Narrative Guide ↓
What Are the Rainbow Mountain Peaks, Nevada?
14 Major Sandstone Peaks from North to South
View 14 of the most famous, beautiful Jurassic sandstone peaks in the Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. We’ll take you from the North to the South end of the Rainbow Mountains. Discover routes to every summit.
Located Between Red Rock Canyon and Lovell Canyon
The Rainbow Mountains are a range of colorful Jurassic Era Sandstone peaks between Red Rock Canyon and Lovell Canyon in Southern Nevada. They are a world famous destination for rock climbers.
Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline
A cool feature is that parallel to and running above the Jurassic Era Sandstone peaks there is a limestone ridgeline: The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline.4
Geological History of the Rainbow Mountains
In many places a stark border can be seen between the older gray limestone and younger red sandstone. This border is the world famous Keystone Thrust Fault.
Explore Peaks and Summit Routes
The West side of the Rainbow Mountains from Lovell Canyon and the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline is far more gentle than the more difficult East (Red Rock Canyon) side. For this reason, summit routes on this website are mostly from Lovell Canyon and Rocky Gap Road.  Most of the routes documented here descend to the summits from points along the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline. These routes are primarily class 2 (walking) with some brief class 3 and 3+ rock scrambling.
More technical routes not generally covered on this website begin below in Red Rock Canyon, ascending sandstone canyons, ledges and cliffs. Climbers can enjoy adventures at nearly every difficulty level in the Rainbow Mountains. View Rock Climbing Comparison Grade Charts from various countries worldwide.Â
↓ Adventure Links ↓
Northern Rainbow Mountain Peaks
North Sandstone Peak to Juniper Peak
North Sandstone Peak Summit Loop
8 mi loop/ Approx. 2,623ft Overall Ascent
**Trails, Wilderness, Mostly Class 2, Some Class 3**
(access from Willow Spring in Red Rock Canyon)
North Limestone Peak Summit
11 mi/ 4,574Â > 7,047ft
Some Trails, Some Wilderness
(access from Willow Spring in Red Rock Canyon)
Juniper Peak Summit
8.7 mi/ 3,909 > 6,109ft
Some Trails, Some Wilderness
(access from Oak Creek Trailhead in Red Rock Canyon)
Mid Rainbow Mountain Peaks
Rainbow Mountain to Sandstone Peak
Rainbow Mountain
(Rainbow Wall via Pine & Oak Creek Canyons)
Approx. 20 mi/ 4,000 > 6,801ft
Some Trails, Some Wilderness
(access from Pine Creek Trailhead in Red Rock Canyon)
Mt. Wilson Summit
Approx. 18 mi RT / 5,200ft > 7,071ft
**Wilderness Route**
(access from Lovell Canyon)
Indecision Peak Summit
Approx. 18 mi RT / 4,250ft > 7,000ft
**Mostly Wilderness**
(access from Lovell Canyon)
Sandstone Peak Summit
Adventure in Process
(access from Red Rock Canyon)
Little Zion
Beautiful High Sandstone/Ponderosa Pine Plateau Tucked Away Just North of Hidden Peak
**Wilderness Route**
(access from Lovell Canyon)
Southern Rainbow Mountain Peaks
Hidden Peak to Gap Peak
Hidden Peak Summit
Approx. 12 mi RT / 4,250ft > 6,000ft
**Mostly Trails + Cairns & Wilderness**
(access from Mountain Spring Trailhead)
Monument Peak Summit
10 mi RT/ Approx. 4,000ft Overall Ascent
**Trails, Wilderness, Mostly Class 2 & 3, Brief Class 4**
(access from Mountain Spring Trailhead)
Black Velvet Peak Summit
Approx. 14 mi RT/ 5,470ft > 6,234ft
Some Trails, Some Wilderness
(access from Mountain Spring Trailhead)
Windy Peak Summit
5.2 mi RT/ 5,470ft > 6,238ft
Mostly Good Trails, Some Class 3 Climbing
(access from Mountain Spring Trailhead)
Hollow Rock & South Peak Summits Loop from Below
Approx. 10 mi Loop / 4,250ft > 6,000ft
**Faint Trails, Cairns, Wilderness**
(access from Red Rock Canyon)
Hollow Rock Peak Summit from Above
5 mi RT/ 5,470ft > 5,960ft
Mostly Good Trails, Some Class 3 Climbing
(access from Mountain Spring Trailhead)
South Peak from Above
10 mi/ Approx. 5,400 > 5,800ft
Some Trails, Some Wilderness
(access from Mountain Spring Trailhead)
Gap Peak
Adventure in Process
(access from Mountain Spring Trailhead)
Additional Adventures Around the Rainbow Mountain Peaks
Hidden Peak to Gap Peak
Juniper Peak
Summit Base
Approx. 6 mi RT/4,000 – 5,200ft
Challenging Cairn-Marked Trail
Rainbow Mt. East Cliffs Rock Climbers
8 mi RT/ 4,000ft > 5,000ft
Trails & Cairns
Mt. Wilson Summit Saddle
Approx. 15-18 mi RT/ 5,200ft > 6,600ft
Wilderness Route
Rainbow Mountain
10 mi/ 4,500 > 6,801ft
Adventure in Process
