Overview | South Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Adventure slide guide to be posted during Summer of 2024.

Relatively Unvisited

South Peak, the Southernmost peak in the Rainbow Mountains, doesn’t get a lot of attention. Most hikers and climbers visit the two more familiar peaks just North of South Peak:

• Hollow Rock Peak
• Windy Peak

South Peak is a relatively easy climb with a difficulty factor not exceeding class 3. Yet, it’s challenging enough to create a great adventure!

Unique Benefits of a South Peak Adventure

However, South Peak does have a few unique benefits:

1. Relatively untouched terrain with some light, fun rock-climbing challenges to get to the summit.
2. Out-and-back or round trip in about a half-day.
3. Spectacular view of Potosi Mountain just to the South across Highway 160
4. Unique views of Blue Diamond Hill below to the East (especially the relatively unknown Southern region of that hill)
5. Unique views of a good stretch of the Rainbow Mountains to the North
6. Great view of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline stretching to the North
7. View over to the entrance of Lovell Canyon along with trails from the Late Night Trailhead to Mountain Springs Trailhead
8. View down along the Eastern base of the Rainbow Mountains including an interesting network of trails branching off from the Late Night Trailhead
9. View just South to the smaller but fascinating, totally forgotten peak…the true Southernmost peak in the Rainbow Mountains I call “South of South Peak“.

The Route to South Peak Along with a Circuit Adventure Option

The route I took to South Peak begins at the Mountain Springs Trailhead on Highway 160 (see and enlarge the map on this page). From there, take the trail ascending to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline. Take a right on the ridgeline and head for Hollow Rock Peak. Once on the sandstone ridge of Hollow Rock Peak head down to the saddle between Hollow Rock Peak and South Peak. Ascend from the saddle to South Peak’s ridgeline. Finally, take a left and continue to the summit edge of South Peak. You could then either retrace your way back to the Mountain Springs Trailhead or, for variety,  create a circuit adventure. Head back across the South Peak ridgeline, then down and over to the Mountain Springs Trailhead.

Alternate Route to South Peak

Another fun route would be to ascend to the outer edge of South Peak’s ridgeline or to the connector saddle between Hollow Rock Peak and South Peak from the Late Night Trailhead on Highway 160. I’ll test those routes at some point.

Best Time of Year for a South Peak Adventure

The best time of year for a South Peak adventure is Spring and Fall. However, even Winter can bring decent temperatures and absence of snow and ice many days. Summer is just too hot! From May through September you may encounter temperatures exceeding 110 degrees! 

Route Starting Point Directions | South Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Take I-215 to the Charleston Blvd. Exit in Summerlin, then head upward toward Red Rock Park. Pass Red Rock Park, continuing on Hwy 159. Pass the town of Blue Diamond, then turn right onto Hwy 160 toward Pahrump. Hwy 160 will ascend upward to a high point just before the town of Mountain Springs. Around that high point park at the Mountain Springs Trailhead on your right. The trailhead has no marking and is a hard right turn off Hwy 160 onto a dirt road and into an area that looks like an unimproved campground with scattered areas to park. If you are the first to arrive in the morning it’s not obvious that you are at a trailhead. To make the Mountain Springs trailhead even more difficult to recognize there is a large sign at the entrance “Residential Use Only”.

Narrative Guide | South Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada

Mountain Springs Trailhead to the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline

From the Mountain Springs Trailhead take one of the routes behind (North of) that trailhead to a large communications tower. You will see the tower as soon as you begin to ascend the terrain behind the trailhead. Once you’ve reached the tower, continue through a gate to the left (there’s a passage through for hikers) and find a nice trail just beyond the base of the tower. This trail will angle to the right (East) and lead up to the summit of that ridgeline you see on the horizon above to your right (East). That ridgeline is The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline.

Upper Crest Ridgeline to Hollow Rock Peak’s Sandstone Ridgeline

You’re going to take a right on the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline as if you were heading for Hollow Rock Peak. If you were, instead, to take a left on the ridgeline, you’d be heading for:

• Windy Peak
• Black Velvet Peak
• Hidden Peak
• Little Zion
• And to the other Rainbow Mountains further to the North

Today, you’re taking a right on the ridgeline and heading toward Hollow Rock Peak. You’ll begin by ascending a hill immediately to your right. From that hill top you will be able to see Hollow Rock Peak and its ridgeline. Further to the South you’ll catch a glimpse of South Peak and its ridgeline. Descend from the hill top to the sandstone area on the Hollow Rock Peak ridgeline. So far you’ve had a nice trail all the way from the Mountain Springs Trailhead.

Hollow Rock Peak’s Sandstone Ridgeline to the South Peak Connector Saddle

As you head out along Hollow Rock Peak’s sandstone ridgeline toward that peak’s summit, stay on the right (South) side of the ridgeline. You can see South Peak’s ridgeline just to the South. Now watch for an obvious saddle connecting Hollow Rock Peak’s ridgeline to South Peak’s ridgeline.

There is no clear descent point from Hollow Rock Peak’s ridgeline to the saddle below. Just watch for a potential pathway down the sandstone boulders and slabs. You’ll easily discover a pathway down one of the two main descent gullies. There will be a few light class 3 stretches along the way. Nothing major. It’s just a challenging, fun puzzle of a route with few or no cairns to the saddle below. Along the way down to the saddle, set a sight back to the point you began to descend from Hollow Rock Peak’s ridgeline along with the return route you will take to re-ascend that ridgeline.

South Peak Connector Saddle to South Peak’s Ridgeline

South Peak’s connector saddle is wide and spacious. It’s a little environment in itself with great views down to the Late Night Trailhead area to the East and Mountain Springs Trailhead area to the West. There are also unique views of both Hollow Rock Peak’s and South Peak’s ridgelines suggesting various approach routes. Scope out a likely pathway from the saddle to South Peak’s ridgeline. You will find some cairns along the way, but there is no obvious route. Make your best route choice and cairns will likely appear.

Route to the Eastern End of South Peak’s Ridgeline

Note I did not refer to a South Peak Summit. You’re at roughly the same altitude all along South Peak’s ridgeline with some high and low points along the way. The ridgeline itself can be a bit challenging. I got to the edge of a high point on the mid-ridgeline, looked over the edge and saw cairns below to the left. Further progress would have required retracing my steps and searching for the route bypassing the cliff in order to continue along the ridgeline. It was a 100-degree day, so I decided to return on a cooler day to complete the route to the Eastern edge of the ridgeline. It didn’t look too difficult, and I’ll update this page after that cooler day’s adventure here.

Conclusion

Each of the peaks in the Rainbow Mountains along with their approach ridges provide their own unique challenges and spectacular views. South Peak is no exception, and merits a few discovery adventures!