Class 1 7.4 miles 1600 gain 3-5 hrs Loop May 12, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Blue Diamond Hill GPX Track

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What a pleasant surprise Blue Diamond Hill turned out to be. From Las Vegas, it looks like an ugly brown lump, but the views of Red Rock Canyon to the west, the general desert vibes, and the rare occurence of a trail system in the desert made this a nice outing.

I parked at the Fossil Canyon Parking Lot, where a No Trespassing sign was situated along the dirt road that seemed like the obvious route into the trail system. However, a trail led off the No Trespassing road on the right, and ultimately brought me into the trail system, only crossing over the prohibited road rather than following it. I left both routes in my attached map for reference.

I started up the Bomb Voyage Trail, which led to the northern rim of Blue Diamond Hill. Calico Hills and the taller peaks of Red Rock Canyon NCA were a really nice sight from this angle, and I took a few breaks despite this being an attempt at trail running. The trail had some switchbacks and was well-maintained. Once along the rim of Blue Diamond Hill, the trail did become slightly harder to follow, but it seemed like the spurs would ultimately lead back to the same trail. The trail ended at a dirt road a short way from the summit. I followed the dirt road to the summit.

From Blue Diamond Hill's summit, I took in the views for a minute before deciding on the route I woud take for my descent to make the hike a loop. I followed the dirt road and continued onto what's labeled the Radio Tower Trail. Indeed, I passed some manmade crap at the end of the dirt road, and then the trail merged with the Boneshaker Trail. This trail was really pretty, following a nice ridge with great views toward Red Rock Canyon. I think doing the loop clockwise was the right way to go since I got an uninhibited view as I descended. The trail took me back down and completed the loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Blue Diamond Hill
4950 ft
1110 rise

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Starting out from the trailhead. The road on the far left is labeled No Trespassing, but the trail right next to it is fair game. The Bomb Voyage Trail heads up the ridge on the far left in this photo. The summit of Blue Diamond Hill is up there in the center somewhere.
Starting out from the trailhead. The road on the far left is labeled No Trespassing, but the trail right next to it is fair game. The Bomb Voyage Trail heads up the ridge on the far left in this photo. The summit of Blue Diamond Hill is up there in the center somewhere.
Along the Bomb Voyage Trail, looking into Skull Canyon.
Along the Bomb Voyage Trail, looking into Skull Canyon.
Looking back toward the pretty Red Rock Canyon peaks. My car is parked somewhere on the right.
Looking back toward the pretty Red Rock Canyon peaks. My car is parked somewhere on the right.
Close-up at my progress, my car just right of center.
Close-up at my progress, my car just right of center.
Continuing up the trail, well-maintained.
Continuing up the trail, well-maintained.
Image 5 from gallery
Image 6 from gallery
Looking back after ascending up to the rim, continuing southeast along the rim.
Looking back after ascending up to the rim, continuing southeast along the rim.
Blue Diamond Hill up there somewhere. The rim was less exciting, but did have some nice views toward Las Vegas and Red Rock Canyon NCA.
Blue Diamond Hill up there somewhere. The rim was less exciting, but did have some nice views toward Las Vegas and Red Rock Canyon NCA.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Blue Diamond Hill on the far left.
Blue Diamond Hill on the far left.
The trail merged with a dirt road, which I followed.
The trail merged with a dirt road, which I followed.
Blue Diamond Hill summit, view toward Las Vegas. There was a little piece of astro turf up there on the left.
Blue Diamond Hill summit, view toward Las Vegas. There was a little piece of astro turf up there on the left.
Heading down along my chosen descent trail, the Radio Tower Trail.
Heading down along my chosen descent trail, the Radio Tower Trail.
The Radio Tower Trail turned into the Boneshaker Trail, which continued descending down a wide ridge.
The Radio Tower Trail turned into the Boneshaker Trail, which continued descending down a wide ridge.
Looking back up at the descent ridge as I continued down the Boneshaker Trail.
Looking back up at the descent ridge as I continued down the Boneshaker Trail.
The Boneshaker Trail descended steeply toward the end, finishing the loop by merging with the start of the trail system below. The trailhead is out of frame on the left.
The Boneshaker Trail descended steeply toward the end, finishing the loop by merging with the start of the trail system below. The trailhead is out of frame on the left.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!