Nuclear Loop - 5/27/24

Mummy's Head from Champion Ridge

Champion Ridge Campsite

Desert View Overlook Walkway

Faded signs at Desert View Overlook

Getting into the middle elevation range is a real challenge sometimes as it was for this early hike on the Nuclear Loop. It begins at the 8200' elevation of Deer Creek Road. Although I originally created it for the tough ascents, there are times that it might be better to do the loop clockwise instead of counterclockwise like this hike represents. There is only one issue with the other direction. Finding the wash that ascends from the Baton Rouge to the Desert View Overlook may be a challenge. At any rate, we did the hike as we always did in the counterclockwise direction and parked at the nice parking lot where a concrete walkway switchbacks down through a menagerie of faded info signs about the nuwuvi people and the nuclear bomb testing of the 1950s. This area is where the people of Las Vegas came to watch the mushroom cloud of the first atomic bomb test in the desert. As it turned out, this was a big mistake but hindsight is 20/20.

The side trail in the descent Wash

Old airplane Parts

Chuck inspects the old Prop

Alongside the big Dryfall

We hiked down the concrete switchbacks and dove down behind the last signs straight ahead. Slowly, we made our way down past the brush to the left wash below. It doesn't matter too much where you meet the wash. All washes go down! We found the main descent wash as we hiked down through the brush of the upper wash. There was a lot more debris in the wash than before Hilary but the vague trail that runs alongside of the wash on the right side is still lightly visible and helpful. Keeping an eye on the wash as we hiked, we found the pieces of the airplane crash from years past. Not as many of the pieces were still visible but we saw the propeller and a flap section. Descending a little further on the trail and wash, we came to the high pourover dryfall. It is clear of brush. You can still stand at the top and look over but, unless you are an expert repeller, the way down is to the left, along the cliff and down. At the bottom, we turned back and got the photo below of the big overhanging dryfall. Finishing the last of the wash, it became more and more shallow and widespread. We worked our way over to the left side embankment and began searching for the survey marker painted red. On this hike, we didn't go far enough down to find it and ended up climbing up to the left on a steeper section. Oops! Don't do that! Usually, we find the Baton Rouge and go up 90 degrees left from there. It is a little less steep and ends up at a conglomerate configuration at the end of Champion Ridge above. A left turn on the ridge sends you on a quest to stay on or near the top of the ridge for a little more than half a mile.

The dryfall from Below

Climbing the spine of Champion Ridge

One of the cliff overlooks on Champion Ridge

Unlike any Black Girdle Lizard I've ever Seen

During this half mile, you can weave your route over to the right side and peer over the Champion Ridge cliff. The view down is of the Champion Road primitive campsites, Lee Canyon Road, Sawmill Trailhead, Macks Canyon Road, the Sisters Ridge and up ahead to Mummy's Nose. At the top end of the ridge, there is a very old and used campsite. Just past this is where we took our break overlooking all this and watching a fat black lizard. Honestly, I'm not sure it was a black girdled lizard but it was unusual. Perhaps someone can email me. (JB?) After our short break, we continued down to SR 158, crossed the road and started up the messed up Old Deer Creek Road hill. The hill was covered with at least 3 fallen trees before you took the sharp left at the top. The next part of the hike was a loooong climb up on the Old Deer Creek Road passing the Stairs to Nowhere and the old car. 

Our group at Break

Old stairway to Nowhere

Old Car

Climbing Old Deer Creek Road

After a mile, we came to the Rocky Peak corner where, many times, people are camping. No one was there today. We climbed the small Rocky Peak for the view of the desert foothills and returned to the road. Down now, we finished the road to the new SR 158 and started down the Orange Trail on the other side. Down, down, down. Just after a wash crossing, we turned up to the left and made the final steep climb up to the Desert View Overlook. Whew! This is a difficult hike to do if you have not acclimated to the higher elevations. But, we did it! Fun hike filled with route finding and extra interesting things. 

Stats: 4.8 miles; 1150' gain; 3.25 hours

Mike on Rocky Peak - View to the nuclear bomb test Site (1951)

Starting down the Orange Trail

Reaching the Desert View Overlook ... Finally