La Madre Peak O&B (with Jerry & Cheryl) - 4/24/20

La Madre Peak's famous Scar - Peak seen just over the Bulge

Steep Rutted Approach Road - Not as bad as it Looks

Someone's Permanent Camp on Approach

Climbing up Gentle Ridge (View to South)

Striving for more challenging hikes during this time of social isolation, Jerry and Cheryl decided it was time to revisit La Madre Peak. Well, it was Cheryl's first ascent on this magnificent peak that can be seen from Red Rock Canyon and Kyle Canyon as well.

For a great introduction to the peak and surrounding wilderness setting locked into the Red Rock Canyon NCA boundaries, a website called Wilderness Connect gives us the paragraphs below.

Using GPS to find correct Ridge - Peak & Scar Behind

Dominating the dramatic backdrop of the Scenic Loop at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are the steep canyons and spectacular cliffs of La Madre Mountain Wilderness, located approximately 12 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada. This Wilderness Area is jointly managed by the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

The area contains a rugged, eye-catching complex of canyons, gray carbonate ridges and mountain peaks. La Madre Mountain dominates the area with spectacular cliffs and steep canyons occurring on its southeast flanks. Elevations range from 3,600 feet in Brownstone Basin to 9,600 feet at La Madre Mountain. This area provides classic examples of basin and range formations, and is also home to the Keystone Thrust, a geological formation internationally recognized as the finest example of a thrust fault.

The bright reds and whites of the sandstone formations in the southeastern part of this wilderness contrast sharply with the rough gray limestone cliffs of La Madre Mountain. 

Cheryl climbs first of several Limestone Slabs

The La Madre Range was formed by the Keystone Thrust Fault, where the land was compressed along a fault line. This compression caused buckling that resulted in older limestone rock being pushed up and over younger sandstone. The Keystone thrust formation is internationally regarded as the single finest example of a thrust fault.

Jerry on the Dull Knife Edge between Bulge and Peak

The large variation in elevation (6,000 feet) provides for a variety of plant communities: Mojave Desert scrub, to Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, and the subalpine communities of white fir and ponderosa pine. You may also see desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, foxes, and a variety of birds, rodents, and lizards. ~ Wilderness Connect - University of Montana - 32 Campus Drive - Missoula, Montana 59812

Cheryl on the Dull Knife Edge (Bulge in Background)

La Madre Peak Benchmark

Cheryl wrote these words about her first hike up La Madre Peak:

Even though Mount Charleston (Spring Mountains) technically encompasses Red Rock Canyon, the majority of us think of them as two separate entities and often wonder where one begins and the other ends. But even with a map this is hard to visualize. Since flying over the area is most likely not feasible, the next best thing is to hike up and sit on top of La Madre Mountain. From this vantage point you can have a spectacular view of both. You can look down into Red Rock directly below and then to the North at the Spring Mountains. You can see the two distinct areas and approximately where they meet and yet how they are both one. Besides being able to enjoy the terrific 360 views of Red Rock, Damsel/Summerlin/Cheyenne Peaks, Charleston, Griffith, Harris, Angel and the Las Vegas Valley, you can experience a fun hike and scramble. The terrain is fairly easy going and the limestone slabs are steep but very forgiving with pretty sticky rock. The limestone knife edge is a blast and spills you out onto the summit.  

Jerry and Cheryl on La Madre Peak

This one doesn't disappoint! ~ Cheryl T.

The one and only time that the club has made this climb was back in October of 2014. They made a loop of the hike to include El Padre Peak next door. It was cooler weather and the fall colors were sprinkling the mountainside. The approach road was taken on by their X-Terra on both occasions. Even though there was still a smattering of snow on the Scar, it was a hot day this time. When viewing the photos, see that the "dull" knife edge stretches between the "Bulge" and the Peak. Not a soul around!

Stats: 5.5 miles; 2550' gain; 6.5 hours

Starting Down - Griffith, Charleston, and Mummy Peaks in Background (L-R)

Descending the Limestone Slabs

Finding the Gentle Ridge to finish Descent