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Windy Peak
Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada
October 25, 2009

Distance: 9.0 km (5.6 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 686 m (2251 ft
)

After flying into Las Vegas from Calgary the day before, Dinah and I had much to do, but we had time for a quick trip so we climbed Windy Peak. From the Rio Hotel, it was less than an hour's drive to the back roads off of Blue Diamond Road. We started driving down the longer, narrower road but became concerned about getting stuck in the soft tracks. Also the encroaching thorny bushes scratched the sides of our car rental. So instead, we drove down the shorter, more rugged jeep trail as far as we could and then hiked 1.7 km to the trailhead.

We had little route information except for a map showing the way. But it was enough as we soon hit upon a trail after leaving the road. The trail swung around the left side of the mountain before ascending to a level section called the “Football Field.” Past that, the trail climbed and then abruptly disappeared about 250 m below the summit. Clearly we had to keep climbing up a rugged, vegetated ravine, but the best way wasn't apparent. We kept right, trying to avoid cacti and bushes while skirting steep slabs.

Shrubbery eventually gave way to bare rock where the occasional cairn indicated that we were on track. The top flattened out, and we made our way to the cairn holding a register.

Our route was rather easy, and it was only later that we learned there was an east route that required much more scrambling. Nonetheless, we were happy to have summited this little desert peak.

KML and GPX Tracks


The road leads to Windy Peak, false summit seen here


After leaving the road, we will head to the left side


Heading to the mountain base


Dinah makes her way around the desert plants


One of many huge boulders we passed


The trail skirts the mountain base before rising


Finally we started to ascend


Prickly pear cacti on the right and shrub live oak on the left (mouse over)


Impressive cliffs below the summit


The Football Field


Hollow Rock Peak on the left


The trail winds up the ravine ahead


The trail swings right


Looking down at a rock slab we climbed up. Cottonwood Peak in the upper right.


We continue climbing while keeping right


Agave detail (mouse over to back up)


We stopped to look where the route goes


No real difficulties along the way


Getting close to the summit


Relaxing under an overhang


False summit ahead


Potosi Mountain left, in the background


Looking for the highest point


Dinah heads to the summit on her right


The cover displays an argument (mouse over) on what the name of this peak was


On the top of Windy Peak


Checking out cool rock formations on the way back


I ran into a yucca plant. Despite appearances, it was a minor injury.


Back at the Rio Hotel, it's a long walk to our suite at the end of the hall


Blue Diamond Topo (5.6 mi, 6250 ft, 2208 ft)


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