bobspirko.ca | Home | Canada Trips | US Trips | Hiking | Snowshoeing | MAP | ABOUT
Wilson Pimple
aka Potato Knoll
Red Rock Conservation Area, Nevada
April 23, 2015
Distance: 6.6 km (4.1 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 236 m (774 ft)
When Dinah and I set off to hike up Wilson Pimple in Red Rocks, I had no intention of posting it on my website. Against a backdrop of peaks towering hundreds of metres above it – for instance, Mount Wilson – the knoll seemed utterly insignificant. But two things changed my mind. First, we admired the plateau-like summit with its pleasing mix of cacti and bushes entangled in red and orange sandstone boulders. And second, Wilson Pimple bears a metal summit register, an unusual honour for a little hill.
Wilson Pimple is conveniently near popular Oak Creek Canyon. Three trails lead to the canyon; we used the southernmost one which runs directly to Wilson Pimple. After parking at the trailhead on Blue Diamond Road, we hiked up the broad trail.
The trail runs over a pass on the west side of Wilson Pimple and continues to Oak Creek Canyon. On the pass, however, a side trail goes up the Pimple. The trail fades on the summit plateau, but various pathways meander through the rocks and bushes to the summit. Given the modicum of energy it took to reach the top, the views were more than adequate. Despite its name, Wilson Pimple should never be thought of a desert blemish.
Starting down Oak Creek trail, Wilson Pimple (the bump above Dinah) is dwarfed by Mount Wilson and
Rainbow Mountain
We passed through a gate
The trail is lined with desert vegetation, including yuccas in the foreground
The trail cuts a broad swath through the desert
The trail turns left before reaching Wilson Pimple
Mount Wilson fills the view
Following the main trail over the pass west of Wilson Pimple
Dinah starts up the side trail going up the Pimple
As we climbed we have a good view of Rainbow Mountain
Looking south
The trail tops out on the plateau ahead
On the plateau heading to the summit
Beavertail cactus
On the summit
Looking back at the summit from the north end of the summit plateau
Rainbow Mountain
Horned lizard
Hedgehog cactus
Blue Diamond (4.1 mi, 4436 ft, 738 ft)