Griffith Peak - 8/29/24

Griffith Peak from approach to Saddle

Charleston Peak from Griffith Peak

Griffith Peak day pack in front of the north ridge of Charleston Peak

Charleston Peak from the 3rd Overlook of the South Loop Trail

Upper Griffith Peak drainage Crossing

Yes. We finally got to Griffith Peak this year! Although we started with five, we reached the summit with four. Gone are the years when we climb this behemoth 2 or 3 times in a summer. The weather is cooling off a little and the animals are changing their locales. We saw burros grazing down near Harris Springs Road and we saw deer frolicking near the ranger residences at the Fletcher Canyon Trailhead. But, ... the wild horses seem to have run for warmer nights. There were not any seen at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead, nor the next day at Lee Meadows. Evidence, yes. Horses, no. Wildlife in the Spring Mountains thrive year round but they have their seasonal homes. We started at the Cathedral Rock / South Loop Trailhead around 7am.

Morning light rising in Kyle Canyon

Switchback #7 Fossil Rock

Taking on the Switchbacks

Sun rising in the Echo Cliffs

Arriving at the 1st Overlook (Echo Overlook)

My brother, Mike, and John H. joined Ralyn and I to hike up past the 1st Overlook (aka Echo Overlook). We felt good at a steady slow pace. Mike decided to stay with the group until the wilderness sign where we stopped for a group photo. He returned to his car as we continued up the long switchbacks to the 2nd and 3rd Overlooks and on to the South Loop ridge saddle. We had separated by then but we weren't that far apart. The trail appeared the same as it did a few weeks ago when we only climbed up to the saddle before returning to the trailhead. This part of the climb takes perseverance as the switchbacks are long and sometimes arduous. However, the views in the cool early morning are dreamy as the sun is rising through Kyle Canyon below.

Short gathering at the 1st Overlook

Morning at the 1st Overlook

2 miles Up

John deals with a Switchback

Harris Peak along South Ridge

One by one or two by two, we wound our way through the log jam at the old Griffith Peak Overlook campsite. Then we singly trudged up the last couple of switchbacks up in the elevations. I was the last to arrive at the saddle so, as soon as I made it up, the others started their climb to the peak. With little rest, I started up after them. Slowly, I enjoyed the views that I had not seen since two years ago. It is intoxicating to be on the top of an 11, 000' mountain peak to see everything around you ... including Charleston Peak which is almost 1000' higher than you. We took our break, wrote in the book, spoke to another hiker who was enjoying the view from a camp chair he had carried up and noted the tiny seabed fossils in the rocks underfoot.

Log jumble at the Campsite

Last switchback to Saddle

Arriving at the South Loop Saddle

The hollowed out tree after Hilary

View back to Charlie from the Griffith summit Climb

Before long, we turned to head down. Again, Ralyn took off in the lead. She had reluctantly agreed to stop at pre-assigned landmarks and wait for us. It is the safe thing to do. This worked until the meeting at the 1st Overlook. Even though the cloud cover was cooling the mountain, everyone decided they wanted to go down the remaining switchbacks and the steps section at a fast clip. I had already done the fastest descent I could do so I gave up at that point and "enjoyed" my solitude. Thankfully, my brother kept an eye on me and we all made it safely down to the cars. This climb to Griffith Peak was probably the most difficult climb I had ever done to the favored peak. Due to various issues (including closed trails, injuries and COVID) I was not sufficiently trained for it this season. But, we did it!

Mummy's Toe from the Griffith summit Climb

Following the group to the Top

View back from last Climb

Tim and Ralyn greet at the Top

Summit Conversations

The next day, I tried to do a small 6 mile hike with my brother but ... noooo way! I didn't get very far! The Spring Mountains are a beautiful resource for Las Vegas and it is a shame that the various park government organizations are dragging their heels at getting the remaining trails back open (particularly Trail Canyon) from the damage that was made by Hurricane Hilary. Something about coordination and cooperation between agencies. 🙄 

Stats: 10 miles; 3325' gain; 6.5 hours (long hike because of me)

Starting down from the Saddle

Intermediate rest at the 1st Overlook

Echo Cliffs

End of long Day

Horse Peak Loop - 8/26/24

Horse Peak tree with Sisters Ridge in Distance

Onyx Peak and Horse Canyon from Horse Peak

Horse Canyon Road

Starting up Horse Canyon Road

Horse Peak is a diminutive peak without much prominence. That said, it rises to a rounded point of 8950' in elevation at the top of Horse Canyon. Horse Canyon Road turns off of Macks Canyon Road about 0.6 mile from the Lee Canyon Road junction. It is a high clearance dirt road with primitive campsites along the route. There is a small spring bubbling out of the ground about 0.7 mile up Horse Canyon Road from Macks Canyon Road. When the road peters out, there is a trail for a short way. A large tree root marks the spot where we turned up to the left to climb a steep hill to the rim ridge above. Nearing the top, there is one or two trails that cross your path. Turn right on one of them and it takes you to a saddle on the rim ridge.

Horse Canyon Spring

Upper Horse Canyon Road

Saddle on ridge above Horse Canyon

Onyx Peak from Secondary Peak

A right turn on the saddle puts you on a trail system that the animals use. Try to stay as close to the ridge as the trails will allow. We circled around to the Secondary Peak, up and over, then on around to Horse Peak which is only 30' higher. The views here are tremendous. They allow you to view, most prominently, McFarland Peak and Macks Peak. Although you are tempted to take your break here, the most challenging part of the loop hike is yet to come on the descent. The important part of the navigation is to choose the correct ridges. For the most part, we stayed on the far right side nearest the canyon. However, at the end of this ridge, we veered to the left a little before being able to drop into a travelled wash on the right. All of the descent is using a vague trail.

Leaving Secondary Peak (8920')

Arriving at Horse Peak (8950')

Mummy Mountain behind Secondary Peak

Taking a break at Horse Peak

There is a little bit of scrambling as you climb up and over the intermittent small peaks. The most prominent peak is a dark colored rocky peak we call Onyx Peak. The entire descent is a challenge for the mind as well as the body. It is always a good feeling when we reach the wash at the end. On this hike, we returned on Macks Canyon Road until we found the new crossover to Sawmill Trail. This new route shortens the transition between Macks Canyon Road and the Sawmill Trailhead. A good day!

Stats: 5 miles; 1600' gain; 4.25 hours

Onyx Peak (8830')

Posing on Onyx Peak

Dropping into Wash