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| Hiker on North Peak taking in the View |
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| Spur trail to North Peak in Background |
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| Rock outcrop on North Peak / Bridge Mountain Trail |
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| Gastropod fossils on Rocky Gap Road |
North Peak (Limestone) v Lovell Canyon Road is a favorite among the Las Vegas casual hiker community. The colorful views from North Peak are some of the best around and the hike up to the 7200' peak is palatable for hikers that aren't interested in scrambling. Many hikers choose to approach the trailhead by either off-road 4WD vehicles or by climbing the 4.5 miles on Rocky Gap Road from Willow Springs off of the Red Rock Scenic Loop. But, unless you are skilled in ridiculous 4WD high clearance driving, you can hike up Rocky Gap Road from Lovell Canyon Road for 3 miles to Red Rock Summit and start from the North Peak / Bridge Mountain Trailhead there.
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| Rock Garden Delights |
We started hiking up the road and right away, we saw a good reason to not try this road with a regular street car. There is a ditch that has no mercy for low clearance cars. Next, we had to deal with a long switchback in order to gain elevation. The road is good here and continues to be good for a mile or two.
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| One more before Red Rock Summit |
The ascent is gradual. We hiked along at a steady even pace. We barely got out of breath and took occasional breaks to drink water. At about 1.5 miles up the road, we came to a turnaround / parking spot on the right side that the club once used so that we didn't have to drive through the "Rock Garden," a particularly dicey area for jeeps.
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Arriving at Red Rock Summit
At two miles up the road, we passed the Red Rock Canyon NCA boundary sign. A little further up from that, we passed the Rainbow Wilderness sign. We had also started crossing rocky washes. The road climbs alongside big rocky washes that drain from the mountainsides above.
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Starting up the North Peak / Bridge Mountain Trail
The previously mentioned "Rock Garden" begins in this same area as you climb into the Rainbow Wilderness. We knew it when we saw it! The rocks in the road are very large and require all but the highest clearance vehicles to figure out how to drive around or over the top of the rocks. In one or two places, vehicles even decide to drive through the neighboring wash ... which is almost as bad!
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| Looking back to Lovell Canyon Valley |
We marveled at the challenge that the drivers face wishing we could see it taking place. We were just a little early! As we approached the summit, two jeeps came driving by up the hill. Darn. We missed it!
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| Enjoying a relaxing Climb |
At the Red Rock Summit, we found the North Peak / Bridge Mountain Trailhead on the right. We turned and started our climb. But not until Susan had expressed her relief of reaching it! (See fourth photo above this!)
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| Long-leaning tree over Trail |
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| Sign at North Peak spur trail Junction |
The trail is where the more difficult climbing takes place for this hike. It is a bit steeper gaining around 730' in just over one mile. However, the gorgeous views of the surrounding La Madre Range provide sufficient distraction. Also, the trail itself, is filled with nice rock outcrops and interesting footwork. Our climb was still steady, but it was a little slower. On the way up, we passed the first other hiker of the day. We would pass several others by the time we returned to the car. Nearing the North Peak spur trail junction, there is one long switchback. At 4 miles into the hike, we came to that junction and saw, for the first time of the day, neighboring Bridge Mountain. The sandstone dome is quite the spectacle with the background of the north end of the Keystone Thrust. That's a lot of sandstone! We turned to the left and started out the short trail to our limestone peak. As you hike, there is a choice of hiking a low route and a high route. The high route is nice but requires you to descend back to the lower trail just before reaching the peak. The low route takes you directly to the scramble up the gray stone, summit block. Your choice! We took the low route. Sue began to balk when she saw the scramble but, with a little encouragement, she prevailed!
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| Calico Hills through bushes at spur trail Junction |
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| North Peak (Limestone) L, Bridge Mountain on R |
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| Bridge Mountain and Calico Hills from North Peak |
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| Three Wanderers |
The high views are, admittedly, a little dizzying. Once on top, we took our break with two other hikers who were enjoying the peak as well. From the top, we could see the Calico Hills, Blue Diamond Hill and Las Vegas. With just a turn of the head, we saw Bridge Mountain in all its glory. The bridge is visible from this side as well as the famous "crack climb." Yes, Bridge Mountain is a bit more formidable for "hiking" than is North Peak. But, hey, a lot of us have done it multiple times. Just make sure you have either a good guide or a scary sense of knowledgable adventure! There are a lot of points of exposure. That said, Bridge Mountain is probably the epitome of Red Rock hiking in Las Vegas.
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| Returning down the North Peak / Bridge Mountain Trail |
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| Road on left, wash on Right |
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| Dealing with the 4 miles of Descent |
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| Susan leaps through part of the Rock Garden |
After the break, suffice it to say, we returned the same way we came and enjoyed the change to a long downhill. We saw several other hikers and about seven jeeps in all. This was a great hike on a clear day that was just a little breezy and became overcast in the end. It kept the sun off! Happy hiking!
P.S. One tiny tick!
Stats: 8.2 miles; 1980' gain; 5.75 hours
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| Rock Garden Descent |
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| A pylon to Trust |
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| Nearing the Trailhead |
