Starting up the trail, Turtlehead Peak ahead
Turtlehead Peak
Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
April 13, 2009
With an elevation gain of only 600 m over 3.2 km, Turtlehead Peak (1928 m) is a quick trip (it took us 2.5 hours) 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 abraids into a few trails. The trail leads to a saddle and then ascends the backside of Turtlehead. This last section, from saddle to summit, looked easy but 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 week day. |
Starting up the trail, Turtlehead Peak ahead
Skyrocket flowers
The good trail doesn't last long.
From my rock perch, I had a good view of Turtlehead Peak (mouse over)
Looking back down the trail
Indian paintbrush
The route leads to the saddle and then goes up the backside of the mountain.
There are a few trails but we take 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
Ascending from the saddle. La Madre Mountain on the right.
Hiking up the backside we pass an impressive cedar.
The view north of Turtlehead Peak
Calico Hills in the foreground
The summit
Panorama from the top