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…
Sexton Ridge Descent from Griffith Peak | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Sexton Ridge is rarely if ever traveled by humans in part due to the difficulty getting there. The route taken today from Griffith Peak Summit involves ascending Griffith Peak twice, beginning at the Charleston South Climb Trailhead at Cathedral Rock, ascending about 3,500ft to the 11,060ft summit of Griffith Peak, descending Sexton Ridge on the far side of Griffith Peak (I descended about 1,800ft today), then re-ascending back to the summit of Griffith Peak before heading back down to the South Climb Trailhead. Psychologically, it’s difficult to gear yourself up to ascend Griffith Peak twice!
Griffith Peak Southern Approach from Sexton Ridge Above Lovell Canyon, Nevada
Sexton Ridge is a 5-7 mile ridge South of Griffith Peak beginning at about 8,400ft and leading to the 11,060ft summit of Griffith Peak. However, it requires an additional 2,500ft ascent to get to the beginning of Sexton Ridge! The entire ridge including its access point from the summit of the Griffith Shadow Loop in Lovell Canyon is pure wilderness with some major brush navigation at points. Otherwise, this is a class 2 level climbing/scrambling experience. The views along the entire route are spectacular including Lovell Canyon, Griffith Peak, Harris Mountain and the saddle between, Potosi Mountain, Gass Peak, the Sheep Range, Las Vegas Valley and beyond, the Nopah Range, Telescope Peak, Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak, Lee Peak, Charleston Peak and too many more incredible points of reference to mention here! This could be a grand 2-day adventure with incredible nighttime views. Route details: 25 mi / 5000-11,060ft; *Some Trail, Mostly Wilderness* Click image or title above for more…
Sisters South to the Sisters North | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
There is a popular circuit route including Sisters South, Sisters North and Black Rock Sister. The route can be taken in either direction and includes about a half day of challenging hiking and climbing (Class 3 at most) in a beautiful pristine wilderness setting. Route details: About 8-9 miles circuit; **Some trail, some wilderness.** Click image or title above for more…
Sisters North | Lee Canyon | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Sisters North, located in Lee Canyon in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness is on a ridge system including Sisters South, Sisters North and Black Rock Sister. The ridge offers incredible 360 degree views with McFarland Peak, Bonanza Peak and Macks Peak to the West, the Sheep Range and Gass Peak to the North, Angel Peak, Mummy Mountain, the North Ridge of Kyle Canyon, Lee Peak and Charleston Peak to the East. There are far more reference points in the distance beyond, but these are the most obvious. A huge rock arch unexpectedly appears near the summit of the approach ridge along with the remarkable rock sculpture of Black Rock Sister. Route details: 8 mi RT/ 8,250 > 10,197ft; **Mostly Wilderness, Some Trails** Click image or title above for more…
Sisters South | Lee Canyon | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
The Sisters South peak in Lee Canyon, Nevada, elevation 10,197 feet has a great trail, spectacular views and is relatively unknown as a destination. As a result, the entire area sparkles with pristine wilderness beauty and you have a good chance of being the only person on the trail, even on a weekend day. On a Saturday in mid-June I saw only 2 people the entire day. Route details: 8 mi RT/ 8,399 > 10,197ft; **Mostly Trail, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Black Rock Sister | Mt Charleston Wilderness | Lee Canyon | Spring Mountains, Nevada
If you’re looking for a summit approach in the Spring Mountains with expanding non-stop spectacular views all the way to the summit after the first brief 1/8th mile, Black Rock Sister is unbeatable. Black Rock Sister, elevation 9,668ft, in the Lee Canyon area of the Spring Mountains in Nevada is the little-known orphan of the more popular and noticeable South and North Sisters. Sitting on a high point in its ridgeline, Black Rock Sister appears to be composed of a single solid mass of rock around 60ft high and 150ft wide. Route details: 8 mi RT/ Approx. 8,300 > 9,668ft; **Wilderness Route** Click image or title above for more…
Saw Mill Trailhead to Macks Peak North Base | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
This adventure began with the intent of doing the Mud Springs Loop trail from the Sawmill Trailhead in Lee Canyon, Spring Mountains, Nevada. Somewhere I went off course and ended up on a 9,235ft bluff near the base of the 10,036ft Macks Peak! Route details: 12 mi RT/ Approx. 7,591 > 9,235ft; **Some Trail, Some Wilderness** Click image or title above for more…
Pinyon Pine Loop Trail | Lee Canyon | Mt. Charleston Wilderness | Spring Mountains, Nevada
This adventure mainly covers the Pinyon Pine Loop Trail accessed from the upper parking area of the Sawmill Trailhead in Lee Canyon. The Pinyon Pine Loop Trail is a peaceful, serene emersion in nature including juniper and pine forested areas and high ridges with spectacular views of Mummy’s Head, Macks Peak, McFarland Peak, Bonanza Peak, the Sheep Range, Gass Peak and points North of the Sheep Range. Route details: 8.5 mi RT/ Approx. 6,496 > 7,688ft; **Excellent Trails But Easy to Go Off-Track** Click image or title above for more…
Mummy Mountain Head from Lee Canyon Rd | Additional Approaches | Spring Mountains, Nevada
Once you’ve summited Mummy’s Head from Lee Canyon Road, there are a number of options. You can precede to Mummy’s Nose and Chin, attempt an ascent to Mummy’s Summit or circle around down to the Deer Creek Road or Foxtail area. All these options present challenging climbs. Route details: 10 mi RT/ Approx. 8,000 > 11,535ft; **Some unmarked trails and cairns, mostly wilderness** Click image or title above for more…