Quartzite Peak - 3/25/16

Southwest View from Quartzite Peak

North View from Quartzite Peak

View from Bare Ridge Ascent

Quartz inside Other Rock as seen on Peak

 It was a long day but a good day for nine club hikers out for a moderately strenuous romp in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Quartzite Peak is found in the Las Vegas Mountain Range north of Gass Peak. This was the first time the club has logged in this beautiful outstanding peak. There are two ways to accomplish this hike. One is to begin on the Quail Spring Road. We chose to use the shorter route that begins from Mormon Well Road in Peek-A-Boo Canyon.

The Trip

 So, after a short stop at the Corn Creek Visitor Center, we drove the 16.3 miles along the reasonably maintained dirt road passing through the Yucca Forest, a forest of Joshua Trees. Next, we passed the Pine Nut Road junction and entered into Peek-A-Boo Canyon. (Signs provided.)

Pre-Hike Fun

 Just as we were arriving at the trailhead, one of our 3 cars got a flat tire. Yep. The joke goes, "How many AtBF club members does it take to change a flat tire?" Well, the answer would be, "Eight very capable and affable club members plus the club photographer."

Getting Ready at the Trailhead

Claret Cup Cactus

 It took about 30 minutes to get the tire changed which included solving the puzzle of how to release the spare from beneath the truck bed. Can Toyota make it more difficult? Do you hear me?

Anyway, we finally started hiking and quickly found the gravel wash which, at one time, was a very narrow old road. It could not be used as such now but it did make for a nice trail of sorts.

Finding the Wash / Road

 We climbed the wash barely noticing a rise in elevation. The canyon surrounding us was beautiful and secluded.

Rest in Shade of Large Juniper Tree

 The weather was perfect. An occasional breeze swept away the slightly warm temperatures.

Narrow Section

Quartzite Peak rises Around Corner

 We could not see Quartzite Peak until the wash circled through a narrow section of the canyon and came out the other side. Then, we saw it in the distance. Actually, at first, we mistook a prominent ridge point for the target peak but Jerry, our coordinator, set us straight a bit later. As we approached, the peak nestled itself behind the point that jutted out toward us. Next, we left the wash / road and hopped up on the ridge on the left side. This was a bare ridge that was easily navigable as we ascended steeply through the cactus, scrub and rock.

Leaving the Wash / Road for the Bare Ridge Ascent

 To our left, there was a neighboring parallel ridge that had been burnt not too many years ago. Already, Jerry was making plans in his head to use that ridge for the descent.

Bare Ridge Terrain

 About half way up the bare ridge, we turned around to see views of Mt. Charleston peeking up over a ridge across the canyon.

View Back to Mt. Charleston

Hiking Around Right Side of Point (Quartz Rockfall)

 The bare ridge approached the prominent point above and white rock filled with quartzite crowned the climb. As was suggested by a previous hiker, we intended to circle around the point on its right side. This put us in a lot of loose quartz rockfall. Nevertheless, we got through without problems and gained the ridge. Continuing our circled track around to the left, we climbed through some burnt trees and were surprised by a small rocky peak rising in front of us. Could this be it?

Circling the Point around to Left

 Our first thought was that this was simply a false peak and Quartzite Peak was still hiding behind it.

Quartzite Peak comes into View

 As the hikers climbed up the rocky peak, we soon realized that we were on the highest point of any nearby. Yes, we were here!

Class 2.5 Climb to Peak

The Rocky Ridge Beyond

 There were three more rocky peaks found along the ridge on the other side from our approach. They were all slightly lower than Quartzite Peak. And ... the log book was found on our peak! So.

Both sides of the ridge, here, were essentially a cliff. There were unique views for 360 degrees. Gass Peak. Mt. Charleston. Hayford Peak. They were all there. Absolutely gorgeous!

Nine Hikers on Quartzite Peak

 We all signed into the log book and took our summit photo then proceeded to take our break.

Northeast View from Peak

 Lake Mead, Virgin Peak, Moapa Peak and others were seen from the far side of the ridge.

Dropping Off the Peak

View Back to Peak from Point

 We enjoyed the break then dropped off the rocks with the intent to make our descent on that parallel burnt ridge. For this, we hiked out to that prominent point and accomplished a fairly easy scramble down the rocks. From there, the descent continued to be quite steep for a while. The footing wasn't bad so we were all happy campers. Eventually, we gathered at a point where the steepness subsided and a forest of burnt trees stood in our path.

Dropping Off end of Point

 The trees were really quite beautiful in their own way and their state of being made it easy for us to navigate the ridge.

Descending the Burnt Ridge

 About half way down, one hiker noticed a small fire ring. Probably the source of the devastation.

Burnt Ridge Trees

View Back through Burnt Trees (Point Center, Peak Left)

 We followed the burnt ridge all the way down and junctioned with the wash / road that we had used to make our approach. The main wash / road was easier to follow on the descent and we finally walked right into the cars that were parked on the side of Mormon Well Road. This was a wonderful hike that we all agreed should become a regular annual hike. Just make sure you have a spare tire!

7.5 miles; 1600 feet elevation gain; 4.25 hours hike time; at least 1 hour drive time on Mormon Well Road one way

Back through the Narrow Section

Following the Wash / Road

Approaching the Trailhead

Lake Las Vegas Overlook via Tombstone Rock - 3/16/16

Tombstone Rock

Lake Las Vegas Overlook & Lava Butte

Single Blooms

Starting Up One of Many Washes

 Last week, Chuck and Joan brought out an oldie but goodie for the Around the Bend Friends club members. It was an interesting hike that began at the old ranger station on Lakeshore Road. Susan M. took a few photos for this entry and Joan wrote the narrative seen below.

This hike to a beautiful overlook of Lake Las Vegas, Lake Mead and Las Vegas and the surrounding area was previously called Tombstone Rock.  Thirteen hikers went on this hike on a beautiful spring day with a small breeze.  There were many varieties of blooming flowers to enjoy.     

Following Power Lines

 
We started at the old ranger and then crossed Lakeshore Drive to the wash leading to “Bullet Wash’’ which we then climbed into.  We found a few bullets/shells.
 

Side Canyon Excursion

  
We passed Tombstone Rock and climbed up to an overlook before turning right on an old dirt road.  This road took us to the wash with the tall dry fall we would have to climb around.  After passing the gypsum wash we would be returning in and going up a rocky wash, we finally reached the very tall dry fall.

Found in the Side Canyon

Continuing Up

  After enjoying the dry fall, we started up the scree on the slope on the right side of the dry fall.  We stopped to view and take pictures of a big sheep head hidden previously by the leaders.  Chris climbed to the ridge top and found easier walking up there.

At the end of the wash, we came to the mining campsite/”gravesite” area on a small hill to the left.  Hikers looked around seeing what was left behind before heading to the snack break area on a nearby peak.  This peak has a jug handle arch on the left side and a cairn on top.  We climbed the rocky slope and settled in for our snack.  Jackie had brought a sign-in container with paper and pen.  ABF members then inaugurated the new sign-in register and enjoyed the beautiful views.  

Nice Specimen

  After our snack, we retraced our steps to the campsite area and hiked to a nearby wash for the start of our return loop.  This wash was very different from our previous wash.   

Near the Grave Site

  It had a lot of white conglomerate rock that look like concrete and made for easy walking.  Along the way, we saw tortoise burrow openings and lots of blooming flowers.  

At the Grave Site

Climbing to Overlook

We eventually arrived at two long dry falls we had to climb down by lowering ourselves through them.  Then, we exited the wash by going up the left bank and climbing to a nearby mesa. 

The mesa area was a real highlight of the hike.  There were many blooming pink beavertail cactus plants in the area.  On top, I almost stepped on a tortoise and we took pictures of the patient tortoise.  

 

Taking a Break

 Of note was the tortoise’s bright red nose (probably obtained from snacking on the nearby beaver tail cactus buds and blooms).  

Las Vegas View

 We continued up the mesa top for its views of Las Vegas and Lake Mead and an array of pink blooming cactus plants. 

Lake Las Vegas View

Starting Descent

   We then backtracked down the mesa top to “Easter Island” Rock below.  We exited through a pretty gypsum wash returning to the beginning of our tall dry fall wash.  We turned right for a very short while before turning left to head to the tall cottonwood tree and aqueduct spring.  Along the way we passed the tent frame remains of an old camp site.  When the hike leaders first went by it over 10 years ago, it appeared to be occupied with a closed tent on the frame and lots of outside bottles and other stuff.    
 

Toes Forever

 We continued on down to the cottonwood tree and ducked under the aqueduct pipe to see the new hose that takes water from the aqueduct to make a spring.

Down Through a Different Wash

 Then we took the old road to the right passing the now fenced in locked sheds controlling the aqueduct. 

Tricky

Almost Back

  Years ago, there were no fences or locks and you could look in and see a big wheel in each shed.  The River Mountain Trail goes near the old dirt aqueduct road and when we reached Tombstone Rock, we turned left and climbed a very short hillside to another dirt road leading us back toward the old ranger station.  Here Susan M. had her “fireworks” moment.  Having just been on Kay’s great Death Valley trip, I was very familiar with five-spot flowers.  There was one on the side of the dirt road.  Susan said she had never seen one in the Lake Mead area and for her seeing one was even better than seeing the live tortoise. ~ Joan

7 miles; 1400 feet elevation gain; 4.5 hours

What have you done with your nose?

Returning via River Mountains Trail

Desert Blooms