Frenchman Mountain Trail - 2/15/21

The Las Vegas Valley from near the 3000' Level of Frenchman Mountain

The Las Vegas Strip (L), Downtown Las Vegas (C), Charleston Peak (R)

Frenchman Mountain Peak from Kay's Wall

Frenchman Mountain Trailhead (Bonanza)

Ah, the Frenchman! I have avoided climbing that 4000' peak on the east side of Las Vegas until now. The club usually tackles the canyon ascent. This includes some 3rd class scrambles and usually is attended by the strongest club members. There is the road ascent on its north side but ... well. So, today, Mike led us up an old trail on the southwest side of the mountain. This involves class 1 and 2 trail plus class 2 and 3 climbs. Rita, Ralyn and I were newbies on the mountain and looking forward to a treat. We found the trailhead on the eastern end of Bonanza near the beautiful temple and houses. We crossed the street and climbed up onto a dirt road heading toward the mountain. Nearing the base of the mountain, we found the trail that led onto the hillside.

The Beginning of the Trail

View back at the Initial 500' Climb

Panorama from near First Saddle (2600')

Mike leads the Way

For the first 500' of gain, the trail climbed gradually along the side of a ridge and was pretty well marked. This part of the hike is seen two photos above. We reached the top of the ridge then curved around to cross through the first of two gullies. This gully crossing will be the junction on the loop return. As we climbed out of the gully on steep slippery stuff, the four of us began realizing what the descent would be like. We've all been there! You learn very quickly that any ascent usually comes with a descent. And, you must consider that possibility as you climb. The next few hundred feet of gain was trail as we entered into a very rocky level of the mountain. The first wall arrived and we took a collective deep breath!

Still smiling at 2700'

Smiling at 3000'

Passing a Family of Cotton Barrels

Trailblazing

We noticed that every 100' there is a sign painted on a rock to let us know how high we were. Sometimes these signs came along very quickly as we found steeper and steeper terrain. The peak would be right at 4000' and we began just under 2000' so it was very easy to gauge where we were in the course of things. Other evidence of trail maintenance are white and black dots painted on the rocks to act as trail blazes. These were very useful especially when you arrived at rock walls or wondered which of the two evils is the best choice! The dots were white until the trail began getting into more difficult terrain. Then they were black. Kind of like ski slopes! Most frustrating is the lack of a dot. This only happened once or twice.

First Wall with view of the Peak

Rita and View

Mike on the Trail

Ralyn and Rita climbing the Trail

The first wall was not really that bad but it was, indeed, a short wall. We tackled it with fervor. After that, we passed a saddle, a wall, and a saddle. Then we had to go around the next wall following the white dots. I learned later that this particular corner was definitely not one of Ralyn's favorites. It did have a little bit of exposure. The next saddle had a rather substantial fire ring built there. We wondered what they used to burn. No trees around. Up another small wall and we met my wall. Yep, I hit my wall. There were the black dots indicating "up." There was exposure on the left side but Mike found a good place to climb without exposure. Nevertheless, I had hit my wall. Come to find out, Ralyn had hit her wall as well.

Substantial Fire Pit near 3500' Level

Tiny Fossils in Rock at Kay's Wall (3700')

Rita's Out-a-here! Up Kay's Wall

Radio Equipment Fence on Summit

Rita and Mike continued up to the peak with our blessings and Ralyn and I started a very slow descent. Rita and Mike were ecstatic to reach the peak and take their photo as seen below. Happy 77th birthday Mike! There were other hikers on the peak that had arrived on different routes. Two of the others would follow Mike down on the trail. Meanwhile, Ralyn and I took our break at the fire ring saddle then started the down climb. Just before we started down to Ralyn's Corner and the first wall, we noticed a trail heading to the south. We were open to an option to the corner and wall so, with GPS in hand, we started down the new trail. As it turned out, this trail would shorten the stretch of route that we avoided.

Rita and Mike on Frenchman Mountain Peak

Wall Descent

The Fearsome Foursome on Frenchman Mountain

Exploring the Loop Trail

The trail took us down into that gully where we descended steeply down to the original route crossing. Just as we joined the original route, we heard a yell from far above. Mike and Rita were on their way down and could see us from about a half mile away. We slowed our progress while they caught up and we descended the last 500' together. This was an amazing hike. Short and sweet. Ralyn and I super enjoyed the adventure, too, even though we didn't reach the peak. We were only half a mile (plus a big mean wall) away! Views, of course, were spectacular on a clear day after a huge wind storm.

Stats: <4 miles (peak); 2100' gain (peak); 4.5 hours

Stats: <3 miles (K's loop); 1700' gain (K's loop)

Loop Trail leading into the Wash

Starting down the Last 500'

Oh, yeah. We bad. 😂
(Line spoken by the great Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder)