Gypsum Hill (East Blue Diamond Hill) - 2/14/22

Western View from Summit Trail

Mine Road

Bike Trail

Ridge above Canyon #1 from Ascent

The Fearsome Foursome started at Arroyo Road and SR 159 to hike the hill found to the east of Blue Diamond, Nevada. This hill is known as Gypsum Hill by some. There are several trails on and around the hill and finding a streamlined route that includes all the nooks and crannies is, imo, impossible. As you will see on the track maps below, the route necessarily retraces steps in a couple of places. We began by hiking down the road to find the trails converge at a cemented wash. After hiking up to the base of the hill, we chose the second trail leading up to the left and started a steep morning climb. This trail is difficult to follow but with effort, we stayed the course and found our way up to the edge of the hill's ridge.

Blue Diamond from Ascent

Mt. Potosi from Ascent

Summit Trail to Peak

Climbing along the Edge

We peered over the edge of the ridge and found ourselves on top of a cliff. The trail runs right at the precipice all the way up to the hill's high point where a large cairn was built. We had a wide open view of the Red Rock escarpment, Mt. Potosi, and Blue Diamond on the west side. On the east side, we could see the Las Vegas strip skyline through today's smoggy haze. There was also a complete view of the Blue Diamond Gypsum plant to the north across SR 159. While we were on the hill, there was evidence of burros along the trail. After taking our photo at the hill's peak, we retraced our steps a short way to a descent trail. (There are two.) The trail followed down a ridge for what seemed like a really long way! We ended up on a saddle below to curve left.

Colorful Fearsome Foursome at Gypsum Hill Peak

On the Descent Ridge Trail

Nearing the Bottom

Climbing the Mine Road

We took the left at a fork and followed the bike trail around to a short cut across to an old mine road that climbed Gypsum Hill on the south side. This climb is a little steeper than the first. After zigzagging around, we made it to the overlook road that leads across the hill about halfway up its elevation. We followed the road out to a good place to sit and enjoy our break. Afterwards, we retraced our steps back down the hill on the mine road. The road led us down to cross the bike trail where we turned to the left. This is the upper of two bike trails leading around the hill. The views from the desert route were wide on the east side and impressive on the west side. The hill with all its cliffs was seen to our left as we hiked around it.

Mine Road Ascent

Mine Road Overlook

Mine Road Overlook

Hazy Las Vegas

The upper bike trail merged with the lower bike trail about halfway around the hill. Then, curving around the final stretch, Wilson and Rainbow Peaks came into view between Gypsum Hill and the hills across from Blue Diamond. More burro evidence told us that the burros were not too far away. We peered up to our left and imagined the tricky route that leads down from the end of the mine road then our trail began leading through old brush that likely implied that this area is where underground springs flourish. There are several cairned pathways on the right that suggested a shortcut through to SR 159 but we stayed the course on our trail until just before the trail started uphill again. Here, we followed another cairned path to the right.

Descending the Mine Road

Starting around the Upper Bike Trail

Below the Mine Road above the Cliffs

Passing the Springs

We followed footprints through sand and across a wash. Not too far from the wash, we came to Arroyo Road and followed it up to our cars. As we finished our hike, we saw two red-tailed hawks that we had been watching while they rode the thermals during our snack break. One of them perched on an agave on the hill above Blue Diamond Canyon #1 and I grabbed a few photos! They are big! Good workout today! Happy Valentine's Day!

Stats: 5.5 miles; 1325' gain; 3.25 hours

Finishing the Loop around the Hill

Balanced Cairn

Red-Tailed Hawk