Northshore Peak Back Loop - 12/23/23

Bowl of Fire and Muddy Mountain from Northshore Peak Ridge

Colorful Razorback Wash with Northshore Peak in Background

View from last saddle before Return

Northshore Peak from Trailhead

Climbing the initial Ridge

On a beautiful day after several days of threatened rain, thirteen hikers drove out to Northshore Road MM 20.5 for a hike up Northshore Peak followed by a loop around the washes behind it. The hike began by crossing the road from the parking lot and crossing the desert terrain to a rock outcrop in the distance. If you are lucky, you will find one of the several trails to follow up to the small saddle behind the black outcrop. From there, we found the trail that starts down the other side and up to the lower ridge of Northshore Peak. This trail climbed up the rock and along the ridge until we were on the far side of an obvious dryfall that drops to the right. Our climb up to the peak's ridge starts here. 

Starting up the Incline

Jean's Peak from Northshore Peak Ascent

Rick leading the Way

(L-R) Charleston Peak, South Bowl of Fire, Anniversary Peak, Anniversary Narrows Peak

The group hikes around an Outcrop

My usual suggestion is to take the route that suits you up to the ridge and meet there. There are a few sheep/human trails to take but one of the most popular routes includes a long limestone slab on the sloping side of the upthrust ridge. If you look around, you will find shell fossils among the rock on the slab and at the peak. There are two places along the ridge that hikers must drop down a short distance to go around an outcrop. The second one is somewhat of a switchback that drops into a deeper wash, climbs back up to the edge of the escarpment then delivers you to an easy wall climb. There is a little exposure here but it affords a beautiful view! From there, it is a short climb up to the peak where we took one of two breaks. Next, we began the descent down to the peak's wash on the sloping side. By returning to a dip near the beginning of our climb, we missed all the dryfalls and cave alcoves below the cliffs to our right. Finally, we dropped into the wash and turned to the right. 

The Canyon Wash Switchback

View from middle of Switchback

Peak Photos

Descent into the Switchback

Reaching the wash Below

At the 3-way intersection, we turned to the right and climbed up to the saddle. The wash that lay before us was our descent route to Razorback Wash. This wash has mud walls and several doable and entertaining dryfalls ... not to mention beautiful color. We got down all the dryfalls and expected the end soon but the end was still several curves away! Finally, we reached the promised Razorback Wash and turned to the left. Our next left turn was almost a mile away and is marked by a small undercut alcove on the right at a curve. There are also a couple of cairns if you see them. So, we had our respite in flattish Razorback Wash then turned into a very interesting wash. At first, this wash might seem like a maze. Stay left initially as you waltz through tall whitish walls. Our first obstacle in this ascent was a new one, I think. There was a recent slab slide that must be climbed over. As you continue up the wash, the geology in the wash catches your attention. 

From wash to next Saddle

View from first loop Saddle

Mud Wash

One of the Dryfalls

Long descent in Mud Wash

The wash is amidst another upthrust of soft limestone from a different era. One of the most interesting sections is a dryfall / drypool / dryfall area. We hopped up on the slab to the left and climbed here. After a bit more scrambling, we arrived at the 3-way intersection where we had been earlier. A right turn put us in the somewhat messy wash at the base of Northshore Peak.Reaching the second and last saddle of the day, we were met with an outstanding view of color below and above. A rest and a drink put us back on the trail which is found up to our left at about the 10 o'clock direction. This trail takes you back up to the top of the lower ridge where we had been earlier. Next, we had to find the trail that took us back down to the black outcrop that we targeted in the beginning of the hike. With the help of GPSs, we found the elusive "doorway." 

One mile hike in Razorback Wash

Starting up interesting ascent Wash

New(?) obstacle in ascent Wash

Slab dryfall Climb

Last dryfall before loop Junction

Finally at the black outcrop, we took a long diagonal down to the first of a few washes. There is a bit of a trail that can be used here. If you find the trail, you can follow this trail all the way back to the road. On this hike, it appeared that horse and riders had recently enforced the path. In my book, I would call this a strenuous hike. Everybody was ready for it and seemed to really enjoy it. It was a great day out at the Lake Mead NRA and the weather was perfect!

Stats: 6.4 miles; 1800' gain; 5 hours

Trail from last saddle to lower Ridge

View from lower Ridge

The Cars!

Crossing the desert to the Trailhead