Cairn Peak and Rainbow Vista Overlook in Valley of Fire State Park, NV

Hike Cairn Peak and Rainbow Vista Overlook Valley of Fire State Park, NV

Class 3 2.4 miles 500 gain <1 hr Out + Back May 1, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Cairn Peak is a small peak that sits along the south side of the Rainbow Vista Trail. First I'd be checking out Cairn Peak, followed by a short hike to the popular overlook.

The Rainbow Vista Trail creates a small loop through the sand, marked with concrete trail markers. I took the southern side of the Rainbow Vista Trail Loop and left the trail shortly after, following a sandy wash where plenty of other footprints led south. I located a scree-filled gully on Cairn Peak's north side and followed it to slickrock higher up. While there were no cairns marking my route, it was overall pretty straightforward and the views from the top were really nice, including a cool perspective of nearby Valley of Fire Peak.

I got back to the Rainbow Vista Trail and followed the short, sandy, popular hike to an overlook down toward Fire Canyon Wash. There are some interesting rock formation along the way.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Cairn Peak
2497 ft
364 rise

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Starting along the Rainbow Vista Trail.
Starting along the Rainbow Vista Trail.
Leaving the Rainbow Vista Trail, headed south. Cairn Peak the obvious thing in this photo.
Leaving the Rainbow Vista Trail, headed south. Cairn Peak the obvious thing in this photo.
Gully I took to get up visible in the center.
Gully I took to get up visible in the center.
Looking down the gully back the way I came.
Looking down the gully back the way I came.
Image 4 from gallery
Top of the gully, some Class 2+ scrambling.
Top of the gully, some Class 2+ scrambling.
The route drops into a notch, then back up the other side.
The route drops into a notch, then back up the other side.
Class 3 section on the right, just below the summie.
Class 3 section on the right, just below the summie.
Cairn Peak summit, looking east toward Silica Dome.
Cairn Peak summit, looking east toward Silica Dome.
Cairn Peak summit looking southwest toward Valley of Fire Peak.
Cairn Peak summit looking southwest toward Valley of Fire Peak.
View north toward Rainbow Vista Trailhead.
View north toward Rainbow Vista Trailhead.
Back along the Rainbow Vista Trail, heading along with the masses to the overlook spot. The trail diverges for a short time, forming a small mini-loop.
Back along the Rainbow Vista Trail, heading along with the masses to the overlook spot. The trail diverges for a short time, forming a small mini-loop.
Image 12 from gallery
The trail enters a minor canyon.
The trail enters a minor canyon.
The canyon narrows up slightly, forming some pretty walls around the Rainbow Vista Trail.
The canyon narrows up slightly, forming some pretty walls around the Rainbow Vista Trail.
Image 15 from gallery
Image 16 from gallery
Image 17 from gallery
Rainbow Vista Overlook down into Fire Canyon Wash.
Rainbow Vista Overlook down into Fire Canyon Wash.
Image 19 from gallery

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!