Bridge Point and Bridge Vista Peak in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Hike Bridge Point and Bridge Vista Peak Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Class 3 8.8 miles 3600 gain 6-8 hrs Out + Back Apr 4, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Bridge Point and Bridge Vista Peak GPX Track

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This route to yet another gorgeous set of Red Rocks peaks, Bridge Point and Bridge Vista Peak, was wasy to follow and had some of the best views I've seen in the area. Bridge Point is the triangular point visible from the scenic road, and is generally mistaken as Bridge Mountain (which is the white dome behind it). Bridge Vista Peak is just a small peak just below Bridge Mountain. We took much of this Fern Canyon approach route a few years ago when we ascended Bridge Mountain via Pine Creek Canyon, but the canyon looked significantly different without water. So, this route was almost like a whole new canyon for me. Austin had never been, so this revelation and my general childlike love for routes was lost on him – he just liked the lushness of the canyon and the gorgeous walls around us.

Follow the Pine Creek Trail into the north fork of Pine Creek, known as Fern Canyon. The going isn't fast in this canyon, since there are tons of large boulders and technical obstacles. We reached an impassible waterfall, but a vegetated gully on its right led higher up. From here, we stayed on the right side of Fern Canyon without dropping into the creek, and cairns led us to a good point to turn right and start working our way east, traversing ledges and up slickrock in a general northeasterly direction. There seemed to be at least three cairned routes, so keep track of the way up you came for the return trip. There are a few Class 3 moves, but nothing scary or hard.

Eventually, all routes seemed to lead to the southern end of a gully that leads north-ish, spitting us out at the saddle between Bridge Point and Bridge Vista Peak. We opted to bag Bridge Point first, taking the easy Class 2 slope to the summit block. The views were incredible. Situated at the edge of the Red Rocks peaks crest, we had a perfect southern view of the many towers, mountains, and overall sandstone splendor. Far below, we could see the car.

We worked our way back down the western slope and to the saddle, thinking Bridge Vista Peak would be a short detour. The route required we drop down a few hundred feet on the northern side of the saddle, where cairns then pointed us back up a Class 2+ gully. The gully ends and we navigated up to a serrated slickrock ridge that brought us to the base of Bridge Vista Peak. Cairns are likely to lead you astray. I took a few down because of how misleading many of them were. We stared at the summit block of Bridge Vista Peak. Wasn't there supposed to be a fixed line here? We went back and forth around the peak with no luck. I irresponsibly decided to scramble the eastern Class 5 rock to the summit and found a rope that was haning off on the south side of the summit. Derp. The correct route leads counterclockwise around the summit block, down a loose section and to the south of the peak on a gorgeous ledge, where you'll find a rope. If the rope isn't there, it's an unexposed Class 4 scramble up a chimney.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Bridge Point
6670 ft
298 rise
2
Bridge Vista Peak
6750 ft
n/a rise

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Starting up Pine Creek Canyon, Bridge Point visible on the right.
Starting up Pine Creek Canyon, Bridge Point visible on the right.
Entering the north fork, Fern Canyon.
Entering the north fork, Fern Canyon.
Narrow section of Fern Canyon just after entering.
Narrow section of Fern Canyon just after entering.
Image 3 from gallery
Lots of Class 2/3 obstacles within Fern Canyon that make progress slow.
Lots of Class 2/3 obstacles within Fern Canyon that make progress slow.
Image 5 from gallery
Spring water made the route lush and had lots of flowing water.
Spring water made the route lush and had lots of flowing water.
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
Image 9 from gallery
The impassable waterfall. Keep to the right in the vegetated gully on the right.
The impassable waterfall. Keep to the right in the vegetated gully on the right.
At the top of the vegetated gully, above the fall.
At the top of the vegetated gully, above the fall.
After the waterfall, we got this lovely view. The route heads up the right canyon pictured here. We stayed on the rocks on the right rather than dropping down into the creek.
After the waterfall, we got this lovely view. The route heads up the right canyon pictured here. We stayed on the rocks on the right rather than dropping down into the creek.
Along the right side of the creek, navigating slabs.
Along the right side of the creek, navigating slabs.
Image 14 from gallery
Looking back down Fern Canyon before starting the ascent to the left.
Looking back down Fern Canyon before starting the ascent to the left.
Looking down into Fern Canyon as we began the northeastern traverse on cliffs.
Looking down into Fern Canyon as we began the northeastern traverse on cliffs.
Image 17 from gallery
Class 2/3 stuff on slabs. The slickrock section is wide and you can easily descend too early and cliffed out, so make sure to remember the route you took to get up.
Class 2/3 stuff on slabs. The slickrock section is wide and you can easily descend too early and cliffed out, so make sure to remember the route you took to get up.
Looking back along the traverse, Fern Creek below.
Looking back along the traverse, Fern Creek below.
Image 20 from gallery
I thought the scenery was lovely and Austin was great for adding context of how teeny humans are, so excuse the many photos.
I thought the scenery was lovely and Austin was great for adding context of how teeny humans are, so excuse the many photos.
Image 22 from gallery
Image 23 from gallery
Steeper section of slickrock toward the top of the slab.
Steeper section of slickrock toward the top of the slab.
Looking out at the Red Rocks landscape before starting up the north-ish running gully.
Looking out at the Red Rocks landscape before starting up the north-ish running gully.
The north-ish running gully leading to the saddle of Bridge Point and Bridge Vista Peak.
The north-ish running gully leading to the saddle of Bridge Point and Bridge Vista Peak.
Looking back down the gully as we progress.
Looking back down the gully as we progress.
Approaching the saddle.
Approaching the saddle.
At the saddle, heading east toward Bridge Point.
At the saddle, heading east toward Bridge Point.
Looking back along the ridge toward Bridge Mountain (right) and Bridge Vista Peak (center). Bridge Point is behind me.
Looking back along the ridge toward Bridge Mountain (right) and Bridge Vista Peak (center). Bridge Point is behind me.
Bridge Point summit ahead.
Bridge Point summit ahead.
Another shot at Bridge Mountain just below the summit of Bridge Point.
Another shot at Bridge Mountain just below the summit of Bridge Point.
Bridge Point summit, looking northeast toward Calico Hills.
Bridge Point summit, looking northeast toward Calico Hills.
Bridge Point summit, looking south toward Rainbow and Wilson.
Bridge Point summit, looking south toward Rainbow and Wilson.
Back at the saddle, looking west toward Bridge Vista Peak. We came up from the left (south), and had to drop to the right (north) over the saddle to get up to the summit.
Back at the saddle, looking west toward Bridge Vista Peak. We came up from the left (south), and had to drop to the right (north) over the saddle to get up to the summit.
Heading down the north side of the saddle. The route goes to the trees below and then turns left up another gully.
Heading down the north side of the saddle. The route goes to the trees below and then turns left up another gully.
Within the trees, headed up the gully.
Within the trees, headed up the gully.
Looking down the gully at Austin scrambling some Class 2+. The route continues to the left and then up serrated slickrock.
Looking down the gully at Austin scrambling some Class 2+. The route continues to the left and then up serrated slickrock.
Austin coming from the left and approaching the serrated slickrock.
Austin coming from the left and approaching the serrated slickrock.
On the slickrock, looking down the way we came. Bridge Point is visible on the top right.
On the slickrock, looking down the way we came. Bridge Point is visible on the top right.
Heading up to Bridge Vista Peak.
Heading up to Bridge Vista Peak.
Image 42 from gallery
Bridge Mountain's gorgeous east face.
Bridge Mountain's gorgeous east face.
Bridge Vista Peak's summit block. I scrambled up the Class 5 face you see ahead. Don't do that. Continue just right of the summit block past the tree.
Bridge Vista Peak's summit block. I scrambled up the Class 5 face you see ahead. Don't do that. Continue just right of the summit block past the tree.
Looking back from the base of the summit block.
Looking back from the base of the summit block.
Austin slowly making his way around the summit block's west side to get to the south side. There's a few hundred foot drop here, and the rock is a bit loose. Move with care.
Austin slowly making his way around the summit block's west side to get to the south side. There's a few hundred foot drop here, and the rock is a bit loose. Move with care.
Along the ledge.
Along the ledge.
Looking back along the incredible ledge on Bridge Vista Peak's south side.
Looking back along the incredible ledge on Bridge Vista Peak's south side.
Image 49 from gallery
Austin using a fixed line to ascend the Class 4 chimney. It's not exposed - there's plenty of space on the ledge were he to fall.
Austin using a fixed line to ascend the Class 4 chimney. It's not exposed - there's plenty of space on the ledge were he to fall.
Bridge Vista Peak summit.
Bridge Vista Peak summit.
Bridge Vista Peak summit, looking south toward Rainbow Wall.
Bridge Vista Peak summit, looking south toward Rainbow Wall.
Bridge Vista Peak summit, looking west toward Bridge Mountain.
Bridge Vista Peak summit, looking west toward Bridge Mountain.

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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!