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Anniversary Narrows Peak
Lake Mead NRA, Nevada
November 5, 2010
Distance: 11.8 km (7.3 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 432 m (1417 ft)
When I first considered Las Vegas as a climbing vacation, Anniversary Narrows immediately caught my interest. Touted as a beautiful slot canyon, it was not to be missed. But it wasn't until I came across a route description in Hiking in Southern Nevada by Branch Whitney that I decided to do it. This route is a loop that not only includes the narrows and a peak but also goes through a colourful wonderland called Bowl of Fire.
The trip starts on Callville Wash North Road which leads to Lovell Wash. Once in the wash, Dinah and I followed it to the Anniversary Narrows. The narrows are defined by steep walls so close together, only one person at a time can pass through some sections. The slot canyon extends for a couple of hundred metres.
After the narrows, we hiked up a wash to the base of Anniversary Narrows Peak and scrambled to the summit. But our adventure was not yet over. From the summit, we descended into the west end of the Bowl of Fire, aptly named for the rich red rock that fills it. After crossing the bowl, we dropped down a steep slope and hiked across the desert back to the car.
Although the route is complicated – there are many twists and turns as well as landmarks to look for – we easily stayed on track. I highly recommend it.
MOVIE
Colourful scenery as we started out on Callville Wash North Road
Ore Car Mine sign (mouse over to read)
Anniversary Narrows Peak is at the far right end of the background ridge
Starting up Lovell Wash
Remnants of Anniversary Mine date back to the 1920s.
Looking back at the first tunnel. Dinah remained below, in the wash.
The tunnels seen from the wash
Entering Anniversary Narrows
Continuing up the wash after leaving the Narrows
Heading to the saddle
Gypsum (mouse over for a close-up)
Looking back as we headed to the saddle
Another look back
Hiking up from the saddle
Bowl of Fire
Scrambling on the ridge. Muddy Mountain in the background
The summit
Obligatory summit pose
Heading down, Lake Mead in the distance
Heading to the Bowl of Fire. Murphy's Peak in foreground.
We headed straight ahead and turned right after passing the block of sandstone. Polytick Peak is right.
Nearing the sandstone block
Lizard
Behind the sandstone block there's a 10 m drop (left, in the notch). As per instructions, we
ascended the ridge on the right.
On the other side of the ridge, we descended a class 3 slope
Looking up the slope
After dropping down the slope (arrow) we hiked across the desert back to our car
Callville Bay (7.3 mi, 3064 ft, 1371 ft)