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Gottlieb Peak
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 12, 2012
Distance: 12.2 km (7.6 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 780 m (2559 ft)
After climbing a few mountains that required a two-hour drive from Las Vegas, Dinah and I were quick to embrace Gottlieb Peak. From our lodging in southwest Vegas, we drove twenty minutes before getting to the trailhead at the west end of the city.
The route is well-described on Summitpost, but in a nutshell, Dinah and I crossed 3 km of desert flats to a wash that climbs to a saddle. Just before the saddle, the wash steepens, but we easily scrambled up. The grade eased, and we hiked to the saddle. From the saddle, we turned left and followed the northeast ridge to the summit of Gottlieb Peak. Actually there's an intervening false summit, but the true summit is only five minutes away.
From the summit, I was hoping to see the 3000 m peaks of the Spring Mountains, now under fresh snow. But the view west was blocked by La Madre Mountain. We could only see the top of Griffith Peak. But other peaks were in clear sight. For the short drive and a quick summit fix, the view from the top of Gottlieb Peak is hard to beat.
Heading to Gottlieb Peak on the left
After crossing the desert flats, we'll go to the wash between Gottlieb Peak and Summerlin Peak
The "desert flats" weren't that flat: we crossed several deep washes
Starting up the wash
We started up the right side but eventually crossed over to the left
We head to the cliff band in front of us
In front of us is a weakness in the cliffs
Looking back down the wash
While hiking up a ledge, I skirted around the sharp barbs of a yucca
Looking back from the saddle
From the saddle we head to the false summit
Pick any route!
Looking back, Sheep Mountain and Gass Peak on the skyline
The true summit seen from the false summit
Looking down at Lone Mountain
A few Joshua trees en route to the summit
Looking back at the false summit
On top of Gottlieb
El Padre and La Madre on the left. Snow-covered Griffith Peak is barely visible (mouse over)
Six days earlier we climbed Damsel Peak from the other side
You can't make it out, but our vehicle is dead centre
Heading back to the col, Summerlin Peak fills the view (Later I learned it can be climbed from the saddle)
Looking back at the saddle as we headed back
Back at the trailhead with Gottlieb and Summerlin in the background
La Madre Mountain and Blue Diamond NE (7.6 mi, 5833 ft, 2549 ft)
