Reverence Heights Loop - 5/6/25

Trail circling toward Summerlin Peak Above

Cliffhanger Trail

Buckskin Cliff Shadows Park

Red Barrel Cactus after Rain

The Reverence Heights Loop Trail began as a bike trail located within the Red Rock Canyon NCA boundary. The trailhead is found in the Buckskin Cliff Shadows Park. Three Lady Hikers started out from the park on the trail that curves around the south end of Cheyenne Mountain, the Toque Trail. Taking the lower fork as we continued around, the trail leads straight down to cross the large wash below. The trail led us up to bend around to the left and along the back of the homes built along the Red Rock boundary below. The homes are beautiful! Try not to stare! We made our subversive observations of the amazing pools and architecture and continued our hike without stopping to a large gully crossing where we could stop out of sight of homeowners.

Fog in the small Peaks

Circling around above houses and Roads

Large cairns mark the Junctions (Reverence community below & Cheyenne Peak beyond)

Lone agave Bloom

Next, the trail led around the corner and along another small peak. Circling around the east end of this peak, we could see more homes being built and the close proximity to the west end of Lake Mead Parkway. The trail is challenging in some spots because of rocks and polished limestone slabs. Finally out of sight of the roads, we climbed to a saddle where there are 2 or 3 large piles of rocks (cairns). Taking note of the last one situated near the top of a saddle, we continued up the highest trail to the left. This climb took us to another saddle and, again, we turned onto the highest trail to the left. A beautiful part of the loop hike, this trail ran along a rock ridge fin, sometimes steeply, to a saddle that is a nice place to stop for a break, as we did.

Starting up next to ridge Fin

Hiking up along ridge Fin

Hiking up along ridge Fin

Saddle break Spot

This is an amazing place to view some of the city and to feel close to the small mountain peaks behind us ... one of which is the famed Summerlin Peak. When we began the hike, the area was covered by thick fog. Reaching the break saddle, we noted that the fog had burned off and the sky was beginning to turn blue in a few places. We took our photo and continued down over the saddle about 50' to connect with a trail switchbacking to the left. I call this the Cliffhanger Trail simply because as it rounds the next small peak, the trail hangs off the side of the mountain for a short distance. (One of the more fun parts of the hike.) Dipping down on the other side of the peak, we began a series of long switchbacks to return back to the ridge fin side of a bowl.

Hiking around the Cliffhanger Trail

Heading back after Switchbacks

Trail back to Cairn Junction

Summerlin Peak from return Trail

Meeting the ridge fin trail, we returned down past the fin saddle and down to the large cairn junction. Here, we turned to drop down the other side of the ridge on the return trail. Essentially, the return trail runs parallel to the trail we initially took above the backs of the homes. But, this trail is more interesting in its small challenges and is more picturesque. This trail took us back to the other end of the homes and with a little bushwhack helping us along, we junctioned with an old road/trail to start a little descent. When a trail crossed our path, we turned to the right and began retracing our steps from the beginning of the hike. Back at the cars, we all agreed that the hike was just the right amount of work for the day! I love this hike and I hope that these instructions will help you in following the route. Just, please, be respectful of the homeowners in the area.

Stats: 5.7 miles; 1050' gain; 3.5 hours

Return Trail

Cactus garden on return Trail

Star Carlton Bluff from Toque Trail Return