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Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline Overview | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
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Why Visit to Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline, Nevada?
What is the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline?
The spectacular Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline runs parallel to and above the colorful sandstone Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. It’s located between Red Rock Canyon and Lovell Canyon. The ridgeline runs from its Northern end in Red Rock Canyon to its Southern end at Highway 160 at Potosi Mountain.
Rarely Visited Wilderness Paradise
Due to its relative isolation, most of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline is pristine, untouched wilderness. Yet, from the ridgeline you can see across the Rainbow Mountains, Red Rock Canyon and all the way to the Las Vegas Valley to the East. To the West you can see across Lovell Canyon all the way to Telescope Peak on the West side of Death Valley. There are views of the high peaks in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness to the North. And to the South: Potosi Mountain at the South end of the Spring Mountains.
North to South Perspective
The slide guide above and adventures listed below take the ridgeline from North to South. It may be helpful to also view the Rainbow Mountain Peaks from North to South in order to better understand the ridgeline and navigating its descent ridges to the Rainbow Mountain Peaks.
Limestone Above Sandstone
The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline is composed of ancient Limestone and runs above the Jurassic Sandstone Rainbow Mountains. There is an distinctive border line between the limestone and the sandstone. This border is the world famous Keystone Thrust Fault Line. The upper ridgeline terrain is refreshingly forested with Pinyon Pines and Junipers as opposed to the desert cacti terrain below.
Less Technical Access to the Rainbow Mountain Summits
All but three of the 14 major sandstone summits in the Rainbow Mountains has a descent ridge from the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline. Descending the upper ridgelines to these summits is less technical than ascending the complicated canyons, huge boulders and vertical ledges from below in Red Rock Canyon.
Strategy for Traversing the Ridgeline
With a vehicle parked at either end, you could traverse the entire ridgeline in one or two days depending on your level of conditioning and skill. However, the adventures listed below take the ridgeline in a series of one-day adventures. It’s wise to traverse various stretches of the ridgeline in shorter adventures before trying to put the entire ridgeline together in a single adventure. Much of the ridgeline has no distinct trail so you’re left to your wilderness navigation skills.
Traversing the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline
(North to South – Multiple One-Day Adventures; Multiple Ridgeline Access Points; Ultimately Cover the Entire Ridgeline)
North Sandstone Peak Summit Loop
This Adventure Covers the Very North Tip of the Ridgeline from Rocky Gap Road to the North Peak Trail
8 mi loop/ Approx. 2,623ft Overall Ascent
**Trails, Wilderness, Mostly Class 2, Some Class 3**
North Sandstone Peak to North Limestone Peak
This Adventure Begins at Willow Spring, Ascends the North Peak Trail from Rocky Gap Road, Traverses the Ridgeline to North Limestone Peak, Then Descends the Bridge Mt. Trail to Rocky Gap Road Before Looping Back to the Starting Point.
17 mi/ 4500 > 7003ft
**Some Trails, Some Wilderness**
North Limestone Peak to Juniper Peak
This Adventure Begins at Willow Spring, Ascends Rocky Gap Road to the Bridge Mt. Trailhead and Takes That Trail Beyond Bridge Mt. to the Ridgeline Above Juniper Peak.
20 mi/ 6800 > 7003ft
**Some Trails, Some Wilderness**
Juniper Peak to Mt. Wilson
This Adventure Takes Salt Grass Road from Lovell Canyon Road to the Ridgeline Above Mt. Wilson, Then Takes the Ridgeline North to the Rainbow Mt. Descent Ridge Before Looping Back to Salt Grass Road and Lovell Canyon Road.
Approx. 10 mi Circuit/ 5,400ft > 6,800ft
**Paved/Unpaved Roads, Trails, Wilderness**
Access Mid Ridgeline Above Mt Wilson
This is an Out-and-Back Adventure from Lovell Canyon Road to the Ridgeline Above Mt. Wilson.
Approx. 8 mi RT/ 5,085ft > 6,800ft
**Unpaved Roads, Trails, Wilderness**
Mt. Wilson Summit Saddle
This Adventure Doesn’t Add to the Ridgeline Traverse But Explores a Difficult Descent to a Sandstone Peak Saddle.
Approx. 15-18 mi RT/ 5,200ft > 6,600ft
**Wilderness Route**
Mt. Wilson to Hidden Peak
This Adventure Ascends from Lovell Canyon Road & Salt Grass Road to the Ridgeline Above Mt. Wilson, Then Takes the Ridgeline South to the Indecision Peak Descent Ridge.
15-18 mi/ 5,000 > 7,000ft
**Mostly Wilderness, No Trails**
Little Zion
This Adventure Ascends Rainbow Spring Road from Lovell Canyon Road to the Ridgeline at Little Zion/Hidden Peak. Then Explores the Ridgeline North To the Indecision Peak Descent Ridge.Â
10-12 miles RT/ 4,600 > 6,400ft
**Mostly Wilderness +Â Unmarked Paths**
Hidden Peak to Hwy 160
This Adventure Takes the Good Ridgeline Trail from the Mountain Spring Trailhead on Highway 160 to the Hidden Peak Descent Ridge
12 mi/ 5,900 > 7,000ft (approx.)
**Some Trails, Some Wilderness**
A One-Day Ridgeline Traverse of The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline
