Pahrump Overlook Peak - 8/3/20

Taking in the View on Pahrump Overlook Peak

Destination = The Far End of the Ridge

Six with Sticks! Slow but Persevering!

Starting out on the Upper Bristlecone Trail

There's a peak at the end of a very long ridge above No Name Saddle. It isn't the highest point of the ridge but it is the next highest and it is the only of the small ridge peaks that offers a short trailing ridge overlook. We call this Pahrump Overlook Peak. BTW, the highest point of the ridge at ~10,150' is named Amargosa Overlook Peak; one of the false peaks you hike across on your way. There were two newbies on today's hike, Ralyn and I. This is usually hiked in groups that consists of jackrabbits! Understandably so, because of the length and somewhat difficult terrain. Our AtBF pod of slowly but surely six hikers took 6 hours to accomplish our goal ... SIX!

Climbing the No Name Trail

We enjoyed every minute of it! Tough terrain and all! But, golly gee willikers, we were pooped at the end!

No Name Trail

The Pahrump Overlook Ridge is beautiful! I had heard so few comments on this hike that I had no idea what to expect, except that there were many maddening false peaks! And, it was long. I loved it! 😀 So, I'll start from the beginning.

No Name Saddle

Steep Climb up to Pahrump Overlook Ridge

We began at the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead and hiked to the No Name junction one mile up. Steadily, we climbed the No Name Trail to the Saddle. When we got up to the top, the pod members behind me suggested that they thought we would climb to the ridge via Wallace Canyon Saddle instead! Well, you can climb up to the ridge either way and we passed that trail a while back! So, we turned left from the No Name Saddle and started climbing a very steep trail for approximately a third of a mile. We took our time but didn't have to make a stop ... except for photos! Soon, we were arriving on top of the ridge that laid out in front of us. Note: To our left were 2 cairns. This should be noted for the return landmark.

Arriving on Pahrump Overlook Ridge

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a surprise! Very nice! ( ... even though the California Apple Fire was sending a ton of smoke to Pahrump as seen in the distance.)

Viewing the Target - End of Ridge

The first part of the ridge is pretty open. The trail balances on a somewhat narrow ridge with cliffs to the left and a steep down slope to the right.

View across Clark Canyon to Spring Mountains Divide

Following the Ridge Trail

To our right, Clark Canyon dropped down, then rose up to the Spring Mountains Divide; also known as the Bonanza Trail. To our left, Wallace Canyon dropped down below the cliffs then rose up to Charleston Peak and the North Loop Ridge. A little further out our curving ridge you can see the entire west slope of Charleston Peak, the third highest peak in Nevada. Ahead, as the ridge curves around to the left, you can see the end where the highest ridge peaks are located. There is a grouping of three peaks included there. The furthest peak of the group is your target. So, onward we hiked on a pretty clear trail.

Passing a Very Nice Overlook Area

There are no more cairns but the trail is mostly a good indication of the route. Although, there is no fanfare at the high point nor the end point.

Smokey View to Pahrump out Wallace Canyon

The trail does undulate quite a bit as seen in the elevation graphs below. It is sometimes gentle and sometimes steep ... but never for very long. For the most part, the trail leads below the highest points of the false peaks.

One of Several Climbs along Ridge

View out a Saddle on the Ridge

The end of the ridge trail comes not long after you meet the only scramble of the hike over limestone rocks. (Third photo below.) And, the last steady climb is one of the gentlest. We reached the Pahrump Overlook Peak and took our photo then dropped down a short trailing ridge there. This is the real overlook. It puts you out there in the middle of the scenery. We sat there and marveled at what we could see, including a clear view of the Devil's Thumbnail on the North Loop Trail. Mt. Reagan and Mt. Clinton, two peaks that rise on the other side of Wallace Canyon and to the west of Charleston Peak, were across from us in the near distance.

Down one False Peak then Up Another

Reagan is the one on the left and Clinton is the one on the right. ... Hmmm. Okay, I didn't name them.

Following the Trail

To our left, we could see the curved ridge we had hiked. At the other end of the ridge was clearly Wallace Saddle. Our descent route would take us down there.

Only Scramble of Hike

Pahrump Overlook Peak Photo

We took a nice long break then climbed back up to the trail. Jerry had led us out the ridge so Mike and I tried leading the group back along the trail. There are a few places that we had to search for a few seconds but, regardless, of whether you see the trail, you know where it is supposed to go! Just stay near the ridge line. As you get back to the place where the trail met the ridge on your way from No Name Saddle, look for the 2 cairns. This will appear as a fork. Go to the left for No Name. We took the right fork and headed to Wallace Saddle. This required a steep climb up and over a peak.

Taking a Break at the Overlook (with Mt. Reagan and Mt. Clinton)

With Jerry in the lead again, we dropped to another small rise then began a really steep drop down to the saddle. It seemed like a long descent but the terrain is loose and your feet dig in to catch your weight.

View back from Overlook to Wallace Saddle

Again, there is a smidgeon of a trail that leads all the way down to the saddle and, from there, we turned left and followed the Wallace Canyon Trail down to the No Name Trail.

Clear Profile of the Devil's Thumbnail on Mt. Charleston's North Ridge

Returning past a False Peak

A right on the No Name then a right on the Upper Bristlecone led us back to the trailhead and the cars. We had begun our hike at 7:45am but it was now almost 2pm! It's a long hike but a short day! Absolutely worth the effort. I am glad I finally got there!  ... And, everyone had dirty feet!

Stats: 7.2 miles; 2050' gain; 6 hours

Second Rise of the Wallace Descent

Diving down the Rocky Ridge to Wallace Saddle

Wallace Canyon Trail