Nuclear Loop - 5/27/23

Mummy's Nose and Mummy's Forehead from Champion Ridge

View up into Lee Canyon from Champion Ridge

Primitive Campsite on Champion Ridge

Informative start to the Hike

 Seven hikers avoided the Memorial Day weekend crowds and took our Saturday hike to the Desert View Overlook off of Deer Creek Road. At this overlook, there are many signs (all in terrible condition due to weathering) erected to explain a lot of interesting facts about the Spring Mountains and the views around. Truly, someone needs to replace these signs.) This overlook is also where many people of Las Vegas gathered to observe when one of the first atomic bombs was exploded down in the desert below. (They all may have lived to regret that.) Therefore, when I created a loop hike that began here, I named it the Nuclear Loop. We walked down the cement path to the end and climbed behind the signs to start down. Finding our way down through brush and scree, we reached the wash at the bottom on the left side of the ridge.

Elk (or Deer) remains in Wash

Seven Hikers at the Plane Crash

Newbies on the Dry Fall Cliff

The Dry Fall from Below

Our first point of interest was the remains of an elk / deer head (antlers and all) in the middle of the wash. After climbing up to the right a few feet, we started down the old trail that runs along the wash. Next, we came to an old airplane wreck. There isn't much left of it. Not long after that, we came to the very large high dry fall that always impresses the newbies. (We had two newbies today.) Around to the left, we found the way down to the wash and trail again. A large delta area indicated that we were starting into another wash that runs east. Right away, we began looking for the red survey marker in the trees on the north side of the wash. Finding this, we turned steeply uphill and found the rocky end of the ridge above.

 

The Wash from Overlook to Red Stick

Seven Hikers at the Red Stick (Baton Rouge)

A little Rock Climbing on the Ridge Above

Hiking alongside the Cliff on Champion Ridge

This rocky ridge is Champion Ridge. It rises above Champion Road and its primitive campsites on the other side. This ridge offers beautiful views of Mummy's Nose, the Sisters Ridge and the upper reaches of Lee Canyon. We walked along the cliff side to the top where we took our break and photo. The next section crossed Deer Creek Road and climbed the long hill of the old Deer Creek Road passing the "Staircase to Nowhere" and an old rusted Plymouth. A short climb up Rocky Peak afforded more great views before we completed the dirt road down to cross Deer Creek Road again. Here, we started down the Orange Trail Loop into the wash on the left until we came to the base of the ridge that holds the overlook signage above.

View down to the Desert Floor

Seven in Heaven

A Visit to the Old Plymouth

Desert view from Rocky Peak

The last hill of the hike is a doozy! We chose our path to the left and started climbing steeply up the ridge until we reached the cement overlook path with the signage. (There were several visitors at the overlook ... probably disappointed with not being able to read the signs.) It was a deliciously cool day with a little breeze. This is a great workout hike in only 5 miles with several interesting things to visit. A great holiday!

Stats: 5 miles; 1200' gain; 3.25 hours

Hiking Old Deer Creek Road

Down the Deer Creek Loop Trail (Orange Trail)

Hiking last steep Hill to Overlook