A year ago, our friend Stavros did a giant loop of peaks north of Lake Mead. We set out to do a copy of his route, with the addition of a scramble up to a viewpoint inside the Bowl of Fire. Stav says the loop (without our add-on), is 18.8 miles and 5600 gain. He recommends 9 to 11 hours, which might be humanly possible for him, but we were closer to 15 hours, starting and ending in the dark.
Fire Cliffs Peak – 2703'
From the northshore summit trailhead, follow a trail as it meanders into a wash. We went cross-country by moonlight to the south gully of this first peak, arriving before dawn.
Fire Cliffs High Point – 2476'
A real route finding challenge. Once we reached the summit pinnacle and started working on the route, Frances made a single mantle move in a loose exposed area. I didn’t like that option after a big hold pulled off on me, so I found an alternative. Chimney, then slanted ledge, then a tight squeeze through a crack/tunnel to rejoin her route, higher up. I had to take my pack off and empty my pockets to get through the tunnel, so no summit pics. The register is in terrible shape, so bring a new one.
photo by Frances
photo by Frances
photo by Frances
tried to cross this canyon for a more direct route, but it didn't go
Fire Wash Cliffs summit at center
Frances enthralled by her chosen route
descending my route, photo by Frances
South Gate Peak – 3537'
A chossy unpleasant peak climbed from the west side ramp. North and east sides are big walls.
South Gate west face
ascending the east side
Endless Peak
Bowl of Fire
North Gate Peak – 3550'
West side ridge, much better than Southgate.
South Gate seen from North Gate
Nelson's
Luxor
Bitter Ridge Southwest – 3340'
Followed a pleasant wash north. Another west ridge.
Southwest Bitter Ridge
Bitter Ridge High Point – 3458'
Northwest ridge. Only the Fire Cliffs peaks had registers. All these more remote peaks do not have. Bring some when you go. We’re fresh out of our supply.
Bitter Ridge as viewed from the highpoint
Bitter Ridge HP
Nelson's Peak – 3491'
Stav’s east side gully route is brilliant for an otherwise troublesome looking mountain. Saw tons of wild horse tracks all day, but no horse sightings. Confusing slots and washes made for an interesting return in the dark.
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