Navigating the Rainbow Mountains Mid-Gap | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Overview | Navigating the Rainbow Mountains Mid-Gap | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline can be divided into a Northern section and a Southern section. The Northern section ends at Indecision Peak. The Southern section begins at Hidden Peak. Between these two areas there is a huge gap in the ridgeline. Here, we cross an area of the gap. Begin at the intersection of Lovell Canyon Road and Rainbow Springs Road below Lovell Canyon Campground. From there, head up Rainbow Springs Road to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline between Indecision Peak and Hidden Peak. Expect the marvelous terrain characteristic of the The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline including limestone formations, pinyon pines, junipers, yucca and cacti. And there’s that stark line below on the East side of the ridge between the gray limestone and colorful Aztec Red Jurassic sandstone: The world famous Keystone Thrust Fault Line.

Directions to the Start Point | Navigating the Rainbow Mountains Mid-Gap | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Take Hwy 160 from Las Vegas toward Pahrump. The highway ascends over a “hump” (the Potosi Mountain area). There’s a saying around here, “Over the hump to Pahrump”. Well, you’ve just traveled over that hump. Around 4-5 miles from the point where the highway begins to descend toward Pahrump there is a well-marked sign on the right for Lovell Canyon Road. Take Lovell Canyon Road to the Lovell Canyon Campground (about 1-2 miles) and park at the intersection with Rainbow Springs Road. Head up Rainbow Springs Road toward the Rainbow Mountains Mid-Gap.

↓ Narrative Guide ↓

Narrative Guide | Navigating the Rainbow Mountains Mid-Gap | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

At the upper end of Rainbow Springs Road watch for the Little Zion Trailhead. Navigate the canyons toward Indecision Peak (see the Indecision Peak Summit adventure). From the ridgeline above Indecision Peak, descend to the South along the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, weaving along the ridgeline summit toward Hidden Peak. See the Little Zion adventure and the Mt. Wilson to Hidden Peak adventure to fill in this gap stretch in the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline. The entire stretch is covered, but not yet in a single adventure.