Rainbow Ridge - 12/17/13

View East Along Rainbow Ridge

View West Along Rainbow Ridge

Hiking Crossover Trail to Start Ridge Climb

Eight hikers went out to Lake Mead NRA for a Super Tuesday hike on Rainbow Ridge, a new hike for the Around the Bend Friends club. We were definitely off the beaten path but, oh, what a beautiful path it was! Our trailhead would be the well known parking area at mile marker 16 on Northshore Road. We parked here and began our adventure on the crossover trail that leads west to Lovell Wash. The morning was already warming up and the colors around us jumped in the low early sunlight.

Contemplating a Step Up

Rainbow Canyon Below Rainbow Ridge

Mike and Kay Consider the Lower Route

We crossed Lovell Wash just south of the Rainbow Canyon junction and began climbing the hill in front of us. This is the eastern terminus (and the lowest elevation) of Rainbow Ridge, a roughtly 2 mile ridge that lies to the north of Northshore Road between mile markers 14 and 16. Our climb brought us to a couple of layers of limestone that we had to surmount. The terrain around us became very steep, very quick. The northern side of the ridge was the cliff side as it dove straight down into Rainbow Canyon.

Gaining the Ridge

Just a "Tilted Sidewalk"

Lake Mead in the Background of Rainbow Ridge

When we reached the ridge, we began our ridge hike which involved several smaller false peaks. Every time we thought we had the peak in sight, we would soon learn that there was another taller peak ahead of us! Even though this was a little frustratingly humurous, the ridge offered many points of interest and kept us distracted from the many ups and downs. The "tilted sidewalk," the long low arch, the moonscape and the "leap of faith" along the razor sharp ridge were all complemented with amazing views in every direction.

Nice Arch with False Peak in Background

Could that be the real peak?

"Leap of Faith" Along Razor Edge Ridge

Somewhere just before the "leap of faith," we spied a bighorn sheep on one of the last false peaks. At first, we thought it was a cairn but then it moved! We never saw it again. (Another bit of wildlife for the day: We saw a coyote on the road as we drove out.) Then, finally, soon after the photo to the right was taken, we reached our last small climb to the real peak. It turned out to be the last peak on the ridge! Difficult to believe, but the views were most beautiful from here!

A Few Views from Rainbow Ridge Peak

Taking Our Break on the Peak (Plus Kay)

Very Steep Slow Descent

We took our break and photos but, again, no log book ... next time. A hugely steep descent stared us in the face! We retraced our steps down the peak then turned to our right (south) and began a very slow deliberate descent down to the wash below. We were able to find solid slab limestone with chert for most of the way but, still, it angled at around 60 degrees, give or take. Nevertheless, we made it safely down and ended up in a wonderful wash that we dubbed Little Rainbow Canyon.

Lake Mead Beyond Little Rainbow Canyon

Bighorn Shelter in Little Rainbow Canyon

Vein Action in Little Rainbow Canyon

The rock and mineral vein "action" within the wash made the hike through the little canyon very interesting at every turn. Points of interest included an obvious bighorn sheltering area, a large shallow cave, two challenging dry falls and shiny gypsum layers under our feet. The rock turned from white to red after the second dry fall as we got closer to Northshore Road. Little Rainbow Canyon isn't very long but it is definitely worth a visit.

Steep Down Climb

Dry Fall in Little Rainbow Canyon

Old Culvert Under Northshore Road

When we approached the road, we saw that an old culvert served the wash. The culvert was large enough to walk through without having to bend over too much so we took advantage of the tunnel. On the other side, the rock and dirt were colored a bright red orange. This wide wash is the top of Calville Wash, a large wash that empties into Calville Bay at Lake Mead. Just before the wash squeezed between two red walls, we turned left into another wash. This wash traveled roughly parallel to the road and below Ejection Seat Ridge.

Wash Below Ejection Seat Ridge on East Side of Northshore Road

Wash on North Side of Northshore Road Heading to Dry Fall

Inside Dry Fall Wash

We could have continued along this wash almost all the way back to Lovell Wash, however, we wanted to take a look at a colorful dry fall back on the north side of the road. So, near the mile marker 15 turnout, we exited the wash to cross the road and drop back into another wash. From there, we hiked up a little ways toward a landmark pointed rock outcropping. Soon, we dead ended in a colorful alcove where water had carved the sandstone.

Leaving the Colorful Washes

Okay! Where are we?

Exiting the alcove, we found a ramp to climb out but it was not the ramp that led to a good trail for which we were searching. We ended up climbing back up to the road as it was clear that our energy supplies were low. The last mile was hiked along the highway as it was the most clear way home.

Today's hike rang in at 6.5 miles with around 1900 feet of elevation gain. We enjoyed the Lake Mead NRA beauty for 5.5 hours.

The Last Mile

Ejection Seat Ridge - 2/13/23

Redstone to Rainbow Ridge

Colorful Wash below Rainbow Ridge

Pinnacle Dry Fall Slot

Below the MM 14.5 Trailhead

The Ejection Seat Ridge hike is short but chock full of interesting things. Leave the interesting things as is and enjoy the hike through the mystery. This hike was originally scheduled to be a club hike for the next day, however, weather restraints caused it to be cancelled. It will be rescheduled but four of us decided it wouldn't hurt to do a pre-hike since we haven't done this hike in about 3 years. Anything changed? Is the seat still there? Is the plane crash still there? Is the skinny trail up to the ridge still there? Do I remember all the landmarks? These are all good things to know before taking a large group out. So, we drove out Northshore Road and parked at the mile marker 14.5 turnout on the right.

Climbing through the Colorful Slot

Light hits the Slot

Standing in the Pinnacle Dry Fall Alcove

Approaching the UFO Rocks

On the way, we saw two bighorn sheep near the side of the road. Always watch carefully as you drive this road even though it is tempting to exceed the speed limit. The bighorns are there ... and, sometimes they are close to the road. Further east, you might even spot a wild horse or two. From the turnout, we found the steep trail that drops into the main wash running below the road and turned left. Following the main wash for about a third of a mile to a side wash coming down from the road. Here, we climbed up to the road and walked down the road to the left until we found a good place to drop down into the wash on the other side. Turning right in the wash, we followed the narrowing wash until we found ourselves in an alcove under a beautiful dry fall. Although you cannot see the pinnacle from this vantage point, from afar, you see a pinnacle rising above this slot. 

On the Ridge above the UFO Rocks

View down the Valley between Ejection Seat Ridge and Rainbow Ridge

View of Spring Mountains from top of Ejection Seat Ridge (Westward)

Eastward from EjS Ridge (Northshore Peak -R)

We took our photo and, on our way back to the other side of the road, we checked out another possibility for crossing the road. No can do. So, back to the original main wash to continue up and, finally to the right, eventually ending up on top of the surrounding terrain. To our right was Ejection Seat Ridge. At the far end of the ridge, there were rock outcroppings with holes in them. In my mind ... I see UFO Rocks! We headed overland until we junctioned with a game trail crossing high above the washes leading to the UFO Rocks. Circle around the rocks to the right and gain the ridge above. There is still a trail to follow as it climbs up a narrow spine to the top of the ridge above. This trail is precarious and has been known to scare a hiker or two!

The Ejection Seat

Treasures in the Plane Crash Wash

Descending the Crash Site

More Treasures

The view from the top of Ejection Seat Ridge is one of the best views at Lake Mead NRA. (One of many!) In the distance, we could see a dark square something sticking up on the ridge to the west. That "something" was the ejection seat left there by one of the several plane crashes during the 1950's. Don't worry. He survived! Not sure where the rest of the plane ended up. (It wasn't the plane found in a nearby wash.) Continuing along the undulating ridge, we dropped into a wash. Inside the wash are the remains of another 1950's plane crash. The largest piece that remains is the tail assembly. Take care while you hike among this crash site. There is a lot of sharp metal pieces around.

Tail Stabilizers of Crashed Jet

Remains of an Engine

End of Trail leading out from bottom of Crash Site Wash

Following the Ridges down to Redstone

We got to the bottom of the crash and a trail turned left to lead across the arroyos to a ridge. We turned right on top of this ridge and followed it down until there was another nice ridge leading to the left. When we saw a large redstone outcropping just down to our right, we turned onto this ridge dropping down to the outcropping for our break. There are a couple of arches and places to scramble while resting. One of the arches was broken a few years ago but hikers have placed rocks to complete the broken section. Chuck H. calls it Humpty Dumpty Arch! Next, we dropped behind the outcropping into a redstone wash and began scrambling down down down to a gravel-bottom wash to turn left. Be careful for loose rock in this section. We followed the gravel-bottom wash out to the main wash that leads down to the lake from Rainbow Ridge and turned to the right. This is a wider wash with walls of red and white. Different minerals are the cause of all this color. Just after a small "step-up" a large wash turns to the right, usually cairned. This will be our wash to return to the cars but, first, we continued up our wash all the way to the road where a culvert crosses underneath. The culvert is large enough to walk through so ... we did. 

Humpty Dumpty Arch at Snack Rock

Scramble toward Exit Wash

More Scrambling

Step Up in Culvert Wash

At that point, we made a decision to turn around and return to the cars. Sometimes I will continue up this wash to find a difficult dry fall that leads up to a wonderful wash at the base of Rainbow Ridge. We turned around today and returned back through the culvert and back down to the main wash turn to the left. This is where the best view of Rainbow Ridge in all its glory appears. See last photo. Another third of a mile and we were below our cars. A beautiful day! I wish it could have been this beautiful the next day! But, a pre-hike is never a bad idea!

Stats: 4.2 miles; 800' gain; 3.5 hours

Colorful Redstone leading to Culvert

Walk-Through Culvert under Northshore Road

Rainbow Ridge from Main Wash below Road