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Turtlehead Peak
aka Turtlehead Mountain
Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
April 13, 2009
Distance: 6.4 km (4.0 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 607 m (1991 ft)
With an elevation gain of only 600 m over 3.2 km, Turtlehead Mountain is a quick trip with good views of nearby desert peaks. Beginning at Sandstone Quarry, the trail is wide and well-maintained as it crosses the flats, but once it starts to climb, it becomes narrower, rougher and splits into a few trails. The trail leads to a saddle and then turns right to ascend the backside of Turtlehead. This last section, from saddle to summit, looked easy but was steep and took longer than we expected. Although a popular and easy peak to ascend, we saw few people on the trail. But then it was a cool weekday.
Starting up the trail, Turtlehead Mountain ahead
Skyrocket flowers
The good trail doesn't last long
To get a good look at Turtlehead, I scrambled up the sandstone rock on my right
From my perch, I had a good view of Turtlehead Mountain (mouse over)
Looking back
Looking back along the trail
Indian paintbrush
The route leads to the saddle and then runs up the backside of the mountain
There are a few trails but we took one on our right
Looking across the valley toward Bridge Mountain (mouse over)
North Peak lies north of Bridge Mountain (mouse over for a close-up of the summit)
Interesting terrain near the saddle
Another view across the valley. Mount Wilson far right.
Ascending from the saddle. El Padre and Madre Mountain.
On our way to the summit
Hiking up the backside we passed an impressive cedar
The view north of Turtlehead Mountain
The colourful Calico Hills in the foreground
The summit
La Madre Mountain
(4.0 mi, 6306 ft, 1991 ft)
