Clinton Peak and Mount Reagan in Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Clinton Peak and Mount Reagan Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, NV

Class 4 4.3 miles 3100 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Sep 28, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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I've mostly wrapped up the peaks in the Spring Mountains, but Clinton Peak and Mount Reagan eluded me until now, mostly because they're accessed through Pahrump, which felt like such a long drive from Las Vegas for such a short hike. Thanks to Harlan Stockman for finding the route up Clinton, and to Jon Avery for bringing these obscure peaks (and specifically the interesting scramble up to Clinton Peak) to my attention. Wallace Canyon Road is in good shape, though a wash somewhere along the drive may shut down 2WD because of the thick gravel. Additionally, there are a few steep spots that my mid-clearance Subaru had no trouble on, but I was happy to not have a smaller vehicle.

Once at the end of Wallace Canyon Road, I noted the steep start to my chosen ascent ridge directly to the south. I ascended, the ridge quite steep for a while before slowly becoming less so, and more wide. Eventually, the ridge turned into a tree-filled slope (no bushwhacking) and climbed steeply yet again to the south. I recommend trying to stay at the highest point on the ridge as possible, heading for the northern cliffs that guard Clinton Peak. The ridge became unclear after some time, just a steep jumble of scree and trees and unpleasantness right up until meeting the cliff base. I don't know the best option for getting to the cliff base since it all looked like nonsense from above, but I made it there and was happy to be off the scree. I traversed the base of the cliff, heading left. I followed the cliff as far as I could before it turned into Class 5 impossible terrain, and backtracked (marked "bad" in blue on the attached map). Assume it will take you a few minutes to find the least treacherous option. I really don't think there's more than one possibility that's Class 4, so choose wisely.

I eventually found a weakness that seemed scarier from below than it ended up being. Still stiff Class 3/3+, I took my time. The crux included a series of 2-inch ledges in a wide dihedral to slowly ascend before reaching a nice easy Class 4 ledge pull onto a big Class 3 slab. I thought perhaps the slab would lead up to the ridgeline and was scared for a moment when I saw the steep options ahead of me, and safer ground just above them. I though that maybe I'd have to descend and try somewhere else, but a wrap-around at the base of the scary cliffs on the left avoided scary stuff and ascended one more Class 3 move on an exposed rock rib before reaching the Clinton Peak ridgeline. I took a deep breath and continued on easy terrain to the summit.

The descent from Clinton Peak to the saddle with Mount Reagan was steep and the limestone slabs were coated with light scree, barely Class 2. I was tempted briefly to make this saddle my descent route after completing Mount Reagan, but later scouting from below made it clear that this would have been a steep and awful mistake. I continued up the tree-dotted steep ridge to Mount Reagan, where I took in the lovely views of Charleston Peak at this rarely-seen angle. I then continued down Mount Reagan's northeast ridge on very steep terrain, but it was mostly just dirt and I made quick progress. The terrain became more tame as it continued along the ridge crest, swapping from steep dirt to rocky outcroppings, which I avoided on the right. As soon as I found a reasonable option to descend from the ridge on the left, I did so. Going down was easy and fast, just steep dirt. I followed a series of low ridges until I found what I thought was the path of least resistance down into the drainage below. I'm not sure if this drainage is the upper portion of Wallace Canyon or just a tributary of Wallace Canyon, but it started off a little bit brushy and tedious with lots of deadfall to navigate. As the canyon began to open up, the going became easier and eventually really pleasant. There was even a hint of a very old road. The drainage brought me back to the car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Clinton Peak
10160 ft
662 rise
2
Mount Reagan
10187 ft
460 rise

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Starting up the ridgeline from my car. Charleston Peak visible on the left. The initial ridge ascent was pretty steep.
Starting up the ridgeline from my car. Charleston Peak visible on the left. The initial ridge ascent was pretty steep.
Continuing on the steep ridge. On the left, you can see the drainage I would later be descending from.
Continuing on the steep ridge. On the left, you can see the drainage I would later be descending from.
Looking back along the ridge, my car in the trees in the center somewhere. Amargosa Lookout visible top center.
Looking back along the ridge, my car in the trees in the center somewhere. Amargosa Lookout visible top center.
Charleston Peak.
Charleston Peak.
The ridge becomes a slope and continues ascending quite steeply.
The ridge becomes a slope and continues ascending quite steeply.
Cliffs guarding Clinton Peak visible ahead. I mostly just stuck to the ridge crest, hoping to find the path of least resistance. Despite how it looks, the bushwhacking was very minimal.
Cliffs guarding Clinton Peak visible ahead. I mostly just stuck to the ridge crest, hoping to find the path of least resistance. Despite how it looks, the bushwhacking was very minimal.
But the scree was unpleasant the closer I got to the cliff that guarded the summit ridge of Clinton Peak. The cliffs are visible above. I don't know what the best route up the scree is, but I was content with what I ended up with.
But the scree was unpleasant the closer I got to the cliff that guarded the summit ridge of Clinton Peak. The cliffs are visible above. I don't know what the best route up the scree is, but I was content with what I ended up with.
I headed left along the base of the cliff, the scree much easier to deal with when hugging the cliff. I was searching for a route option on the right.
I headed left along the base of the cliff, the scree much easier to deal with when hugging the cliff. I was searching for a route option on the right.
Continuing along the cliff's base.
Continuing along the cliff's base.
Looking back along the cliff's base.
Looking back along the cliff's base.
If you get to this tree and protruding rock feature, you've gone too far. Going past this section results in ultimately getting cliffed out with Class 5 everywhere.
If you get to this tree and protruding rock feature, you've gone too far. Going past this section results in ultimately getting cliffed out with Class 5 everywhere.
The Class 3+/4 section.
The Class 3+/4 section.
Looking down from above the crux low Class 4.
Looking down from above the crux low Class 4.
Class 3 slabs above the crux. At the top of the slabs, there is a serious cliff band to contend with, but keeping left avoids most of the scariest stuff.
Class 3 slabs above the crux. At the top of the slabs, there is a serious cliff band to contend with, but keeping left avoids most of the scariest stuff.
Looking back from the top of the Class 3 slab. Behind me is scary stuff, but on the right is a nice ledge leading to a rock rib.
Looking back from the top of the Class 3 slab. Behind me is scary stuff, but on the right is a nice ledge leading to a rock rib.
The nice ledge. The final Class 3 section is seen on the right. It's a bit exposed, but not too bad, and the holds are small, but reasonable and not loose.
The nice ledge. The final Class 3 section is seen on the right. It's a bit exposed, but not too bad, and the holds are small, but reasonable and not loose.
Looking back toward the cliff. The final Class 3 move is behind me. My car is somewhere on the right out of frame. The Class 3 slab is seen center, and the ledge I traversed to reach this spot is on the left.
Looking back toward the cliff. The final Class 3 move is behind me. My car is somewhere on the right out of frame. The Class 3 slab is seen center, and the ledge I traversed to reach this spot is on the left.
Final Class 3 exposed rock rib move.
Final Class 3 exposed rock rib move.
Clinton Peak summit, view toward Charleston Peak (left) and Mount Reagan (right).
Clinton Peak summit, view toward Charleston Peak (left) and Mount Reagan (right).
Clinton Peak, view southwest toward the road I came in on, Wallace Canyon.
Clinton Peak, view southwest toward the road I came in on, Wallace Canyon.
Continuing down from Clinton Peak on steep limestone covered in scree, barely Class 2.
Continuing down from Clinton Peak on steep limestone covered in scree, barely Class 2.
Continuing along the ridge from the saddle, toward Mount Reagan.
Continuing along the ridge from the saddle, toward Mount Reagan.
Fairly nice ascent to Mount Reagan.
Fairly nice ascent to Mount Reagan.
Mount Reagan, view toward Charleston Peak.
Mount Reagan, view toward Charleston Peak.
Descending on loose, steep dirt/rock from Mount Reagan..
Descending on loose, steep dirt/rock from Mount Reagan..
The steep section turns into the rocky ridge on the right. I kept to the right to avoid it all.
The steep section turns into the rocky ridge on the right. I kept to the right to avoid it all.
And eventually, toward the end of the ridge, I descended to the left on this pleasant slope.
And eventually, toward the end of the ridge, I descended to the left on this pleasant slope.
Down the slope attempting to find the path of least resistance.
Down the slope attempting to find the path of least resistance.
Entering into the drainage below.
Entering into the drainage below.
Looking back toward the descent from Mount Reagan from within the drainage. You can see it's not a particularly pleasant experience at the start.
Looking back toward the descent from Mount Reagan from within the drainage. You can see it's not a particularly pleasant experience at the start.
But soon, the drainage becomes more pleasant and actually pretty.
But soon, the drainage becomes more pleasant and actually pretty.
There's even a small section of slickrock narrows.
There's even a small section of slickrock narrows.
And eventually the drainage opens up.
And eventually the drainage opens up.
Image 33 from gallery

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