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Mountain Spring Peak
Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
November 13, 2010
With just hours to spare before we caught our flight back to Calgary, we wanted to do a short, simple trip, one that wouldn't offer any difficulties so we could be at the airport on time. Mountain Springs Peak fit the bill.
Although Mountain Springs Peak lies in Red Rock, the trailhead is in Mountain Springs National Recreation Area. Not trusting the rough access road, we parked a short distance from the highway and walked 800 m to the trailhead. We hiked up the trail – actually another back road – before leaving it to follow a ridge to the summit. We walked a few hundreds past the summit before turning around.
We used the trip description on Summitpost. I didn't think this peak would provide “stellar” views as Summitpost said, but it did. It was a memorable little trip that lingered on our minds as we winged our way back to the cold climes of Calgary.
Starting up the trail
Looking back
We'll leave the road to hike up the ridge on the right. The summit is above Dinah but hidden.
Starting up the ridge
Snow-covered Mount Charleston (3633 m) lies northeast (mouse over for a close-up).
Typical travel on the ridge
Looking east
Cairns marked the trail
Summit is far right
Not much rock on the ridge
Lots of cedars
Few lizards
Windy Peak southeast (mouse over for a close-up)
We were surprised to see four helicopters
Minor ups and downs
After reaching the summit, we headed to a lower point farther along the ridge
Black Velvet Peak
As far as we got
A reminder how remarkable warm it is here in November!
Mountain Springs and Blue Diamond 1:24,000 Topos (5.0 mi, 6647 ft, 1234 ft)