Northern Bowl of Fire | Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
The Northern Bowl of Fire is a massive Aztec red rock cliff system rivaling any other red rock formation in Nevada. The red rock is composed of frozen sand dunes from the Jurassic era, and the red coloring is caused by iron that leached up through the sand before it solidified into rock. The route I describe here offers spectacular 360 degree views of the Overton Arm of Lake Mead, the Hamblin Mountain area, portions of Lake Mead, the Southern Bowl of Fire, Anniversary Ridge, and the Muddy Mountains. Route details: 8mi RT | 1,887 > 2,568ft; ** Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Black Mesa, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Black Mesa in Lake Mead National Recreation Area has a huge relatively flat summit over a mile in length from North to South. From the Southern Summit one can see one of the best views of Lake Mead to be had from any point in the area (except Fortification Hill). Black Mesa has no real marked and established trailhead. However, the route I took started at a pull-out about mile 10.5 on Northshore Road in Lake Mead National Recreation Area just a few hundred feet before the crossing of the major wash that skirts the West side of Black Mesa. Route details: 4mi | 1,538 > 2,198ft; ** Wilderness, No Trail** Click image or title above for more…
Potosi Mountain Southern Approach | Spring Mountains Wilderness | Nevada
The Southern approach to Potosi Mountain is nothing less than a huge endurance test. Though it’s only 14 miles out and back from my starting point at the “warning rock” parking area, and you’re on a pretty good road all the way to the summit, the angle of incline is the challenge. Think streets of San Francisco, only instead of a one block steep incline you’re looking at half-mile sections of incredibly steep incline. The incline is so steep in places that you’re gaining nearly one foot elevation gain per stride! One note: your total ascent is between 3,500 and 4,000ft. Route details: 14 mi RT/ 4,700ft > 8,500ft; **Paved and Unpaved Maintenance Roads** Click image or title above for more…
Potosi Mountain | Northern Hills Exploration | Spring Mountains, Nevada
During this adventure, though I do not ascend to the summit, I scope out the Northwestern area of Potosi Mountain and discover a few alternate summit approaches. Potosi Mountain, Elevation 8,517ft, is the last high point along the horizon in the Spring Mountains as you’re viewing the skyline from Las Vegas. From Potosi Mountain’s 8,517ft summit, populated with a number of communications towers, you can look across the entire stretch of the Rainbow Mountains. Route details: 16 mi RT from Hwy 160/ 5,500ft > 7,200ft; **Unpaved Road then Wilderness (no trails)** Click image or title above for more…
Potosi Mountain Northern Cliffs Trail | Spring Mountains, Nevada
The Potosi North Trail is very well constructed and the views are spectacular — both along the trail and off in the distance. Along the trail there are elaborate rock formations including pinnacles and a few small natural bridges branching out from the spectacular limestone cliff face. The plant life is rich, a mountain pine forest. Then, there is the distant back-drop including Lovell Canyon bordered by Griffith Peak and Harris Mountain with Mummy Mountain dead center. Route details: 16 mi RT from Hwy 160/ 5,500ft > 7,500ft; **Unpaved Road then Wilderness (no trails)** Click image or title above for more…
Potosi Mt Summit via Western Cliffs Ridge | Spring Mountains, Nevada
The Potosi Mt Western Cliffs Ridge is not only a spectacular route with views that do not end, but it is also a historical site, the location of Potosi Mine. This route discovers a nice trail beginning at the end of Potosi Springs Road and heading upward to the old route from the aerial tram site to the Potosi Mine. I believe wide, well constructed route between the high point of the tram and the mine was the route of the baby gauge railroad. Upon meeting the Potosi Mine route another very faint use trail continues up and along the Western Cliffs Ridge. That faint trail appears and disappears, but the ridge eventually leads to Potosi Mountain summit. Route details: 20+ mi RT from Hwy 160/ 5,500ft > 8,500ft; **Unpaved Road, Some Trails, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
03 Rainbow Mountains South Upper Crest Ridgeline | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline stretches above the Rainbow Mountains summits from its Southern point at Mountain Springs Trailhead on Highway 160 to its Northern point around the Willow Springs area of Red Rock Park. Here we focus on the Southern half of the Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline from Mountain Springs to Hidden Peak. Route details: 12 mi/ 5,900 > 7,000ft (approx.); Some Trails, Some Wilderness. Click image or title above for more…
North Peak | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
The summit of North Peak is like the turret of a medieval European castle with amazing views in all directions. Views to the East include Red Rock Canyon all the way to Lake Mead. The Mt. Charleston Wilderness can be seen to the West. The Keystone Thrust and La Madre Mountains Wilderness is to the North and the span of the Rainbow Mountains to Potosi Mountain to the South. Route details: 17 mi/ 4500 > 7003ft; **Some Trails, Some Wilderness**. Click image or title above for more…
Bridge Mountain in Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
Bridge Mountain in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness of Nevada is one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the area. Summiting Bridge Mountain is challenging and there is at least one class 3+ exposed stretch. The most customary summit approach begins in the Willow Creek Picnic Area in Red Rock Canyon and ascends Rocky Gap Road to a high point before branching off to the approach trail. Route Details: 17 mi/ 4500 > 7003ft; Some Trails, Some Wilderness. Click image or title above for more…
Juniper Peak Summit | Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada
If you’re looking to climb your first peak in the Rainbow Mountains, Juniper Peak is a good start. Many of the surrounding peaks dwarf it in comparison: Mt. Wilson; Rainbow Mountain; Bridge Mountain. Experience all the beauty and challenge of a Jurassic Era Aztec red rock peak in the Rainbow Mountains of Nevada. When you are facing Juniper Peak there appear to be 3 routes from the Red Rock Park side: Two narrow chutes to the left and what looks like a more gradual approach to the right. I ended up selecting the middle of these routes – the right chute of the two chutes to the left. Hindsight says that the easier, and likely the more traditional route is the more gradual climb up the slope on the right (just before Pine Creek Canyon). Route Description: 8.7 mi/ 3,909 > 6,109ft; **Some Trails, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…