Hike Callville Peak Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

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Callville Peak is an overlooked mountain in Lake Mead NRA. It's the first of the larger peaks when driving along Northshore Road, and seems to be best accessed from Callville Bay. Austin and I parked at the large, paved long-term lot, where we could see Callville Peak in the distance. This was my first time to Callville Bay, so I've never seen it when Nevada isn't in a significant drought, as it was today. I was amazed to later see comparison photos of how the area was filled in with water, but on our visit the water was so low that we could play on some of the gigantic, old tires used for the marina (photos at the end of my trip report). I believe the route I describe would wrap around the circumference of Lake Mead when it refills with water (or, I guess, if it ever does), but you my have to get creative if water levels are much higher.

We set out generally east, keeping to the higher ground when possible to avoid excessive ups-and-downs in the lumpy terrain. I recommend our route overall, but it was a little annoying at first until we got down into Callville Wash (the major drainage coming in from the north) and therefore flat ground. We entered an unnamed wash that drains from the north side of Callville Peak and followed this for a couple of miles until we reached the base of our peak.

We had a few options for starting out of the wash, and I included what I think was the best. It leads up a concrete-looking wash, avoiding loose rock and steep hiking, and up to the west ridge of Callville Peak. From here it was Class 2 easy walking to a false summit. We had to dip down into a short Class 2 notch, reascend to a second false summit, and then dip down into a second Class 2 notch below the true summit. The final ascent to Callville Peak out of the second notch was a little cat-littery, but the views were incredible, rivaling those of the more popular neighboring Hamblin Mountain. We spent some time enjoying the desert views before backtracking.

On the way back we headed south of the route outlined on my attached map to check out a wall of massive tires, normally underwater. We hopped over them and it was quite fun. I left this out of my map because I'm not sure it was legal but you can see them from above if that sort of thing appeals to you.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Callville Peak

2507 ft

309 rise

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From the parking lot, Callville Peak visible center. As you can see, the water is very low.

Poor Marina 1 doesn't seem to be doing so well. Austin: "Where's the water!?"

View back toward the parking lot as we head through lumpy terrain.

Navigating lumpy terrain. We passed a handful of shipwreck remains.

Past the lumpy stuff, now entering Callville Wash. Our goal is the unnamed wash in the center of this photo.

Passing some massive tires.

Ascending the unnamed wash.

View back.

Callville Peak comes into view ahead.

View back again. Fortification Hill visible top left.

We ascended this mostly pleasant slope leading to the west ridge of Callville Peak. You can get up a variety of ways, but this seemed least steep and tedious.

On the west ridge, looking toward the first false summit.

Light Class 2 on the way up.

View back toward the unnamed wash we came out of.

Wide shot back toward Callville Bay (top left) and the unnamed wash we came out of (running from far right to top center).

Second false summit ahead. There's a Class 2 notch along the ridge.

View back at Austin coming down into the Class 2 notch.

Wide shot back at the first false summit from the second false summit.

Second false summit, view toward Callville Peak's true summit. Another notch separates us from the peak.

View back at the second notch with Class 2. The final ascent is cat-littery, as you can see in the foreground of this photo.

Summit of Callville Peak, view toward Callville Bay (top left) and the false summit we came from (center).

Close-up toward Lake Mead and Callville Bay.

View northeast.

Close-up toward the east, Arch Mountain on the left.

Close-up toward Hamblin Mountain and Pinto Peak.

On our way back, we explored the massive tires that are exposed due to drought.

We played on them because why not?

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!