Coyote Skull Peak and East Sunrise Peaklets in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Coyote Skull Peak and East Sunrise Peaklets Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 2 5.2 miles 2200 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Nov 24, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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The close proximity of these peaks to Las Vegas has kept them on the backburner, but I ultimately enjoyed this little outing to these somewhat silly bumps. I first noticed them after doing Sunrise Mountain earlier this year (just to the west of these peaklets). I parked at a gate that was closed and I don't believe is legal for vehicular entry, walking instead along the road to the base of the first peak, called The Minefield. There was an insane amount of broken glass littered here, and it put me in a less-than-optimal mood as I started the quick ascent to The Minefield's summit. I felt good again by the time I reached the top, looking to the north at the route to come and happy that it looked more interesting than anticipated. I found a Class 2+ descent option off The Mindefield and continued north up a drainage leading to The Double. I used a nice steep Class 2 slickrock-ish ridge to reach this summit then headed up to The Triple just to the west, also Class 2. The west face of The Triple was well-protected by cliffs, so I backtracked and wrapped around its north side.

The stretch of open desert from The Triple to the base of Coyote Skull Peak was riddled with washes and ATV roads, so I did my best to navigate them efficiently. There were even some pretty sandstone formations. I crossed over a dirt road and made my way up the major eastern drainage coming down from Coyote Skull Peak and up to its eastern ridge. Some Class 2/2+ took me up this slope/ridge and I continued to its summit. Without dallying, I headed back down the way I came and followed a major wash leading south and back to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
The Minefield
2498 ft
358 rise
2
The Double
2560 ft
320 rise
3
The Triple
2568 ft
328 rise
4
Coyote Skull Peak
2720 ft
360 rise

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From my parking spot off E Lake Mead, I followed the road past the gate. The Minefield visible top right.
From my parking spot off E Lake Mead, I followed the road past the gate. The Minefield visible top right.
Heading up The Minefield.
Heading up The Minefield.
Looking back toward my car (center somewhere). Frenchman Mountain visible top.
Looking back toward my car (center somewhere). Frenchman Mountain visible top.
The Minefield summit, view north toward The Triple (left) and The Double (top right). The Double was next on my list, which I accessed via the drainage in the center of this photo.
The Minefield summit, view north toward The Triple (left) and The Double (top right). The Double was next on my list, which I accessed via the drainage in the center of this photo.
The Minefield summit, view east toward Lake Mead.
The Minefield summit, view east toward Lake Mead.
I dropped off The Minefield and headed into the drainage.
I dropped off The Minefield and headed into the drainage.
View back toward The Minefield. Descended from the center of the photo.
View back toward The Minefield. Descended from the center of the photo.
The double.
The double.
Class 2 slickrock-like slabs.
Class 2 slickrock-like slabs.
Looking back as I ascend The Double. I came from the drainage on the left. The Triple is visible center. Frenchman Mountain top left.
Looking back as I ascend The Double. I came from the drainage on the left. The Triple is visible center. Frenchman Mountain top left.
Close-up toward the drainage I came up (left) and The Triple (right). Coyote Skull Peak visible top left of The Triple.
Close-up toward the drainage I came up (left) and The Triple (right). Coyote Skull Peak visible top left of The Triple.
The Double summit.
The Double summit.
Back at the base of The Double, headed to The Triple ahead. The Minefield visible on the left.
Back at the base of The Double, headed to The Triple ahead. The Minefield visible on the left.
Ascending The Triple, view back toward The Double.
Ascending The Triple, view back toward The Double.
The Triple summit, view toward The Minefield (left) and my car somewhere right of center.
The Triple summit, view toward The Minefield (left) and my car somewhere right of center.
The Triple, view toward Coyote Skull Peak, left of center. You can see the drainages I'd have to navigate below.
The Triple, view toward Coyote Skull Peak, left of center. You can see the drainages I'd have to navigate below.
I wrapped around the north side of The Triple because its cliffs guarded its west side and headed through the desert and washes.
I wrapped around the north side of The Triple because its cliffs guarded its west side and headed through the desert and washes.
View back toward The Triple and its western cliffs.
View back toward The Triple and its western cliffs.
Navigating washes. Coyote Skull Peak visible top left.
Navigating washes. Coyote Skull Peak visible top left.
Heading up to Coyote Skull Peak.
Heading up to Coyote Skull Peak.
Class 2/2+ up Coyote Skull Peak's west ridge.
Class 2/2+ up Coyote Skull Peak's west ridge.
View back toward The Triple (left of center) as I ascend Coyote Skull Peak.
View back toward The Triple (left of center) as I ascend Coyote Skull Peak.
Coyote Skull Peak ridgeline to the summit.
Coyote Skull Peak ridgeline to the summit.
Coyote Skull Peak summit, view toward Sunrise Mountain (top right). Division Peak and Unity Peak on the left.
Coyote Skull Peak summit, view toward Sunrise Mountain (top right). Division Peak and Unity Peak on the left.
Heading back down from Coyote Skull Peak, headed to the wash in the center of this photo.
Heading back down from Coyote Skull Peak, headed to the wash in the center of this photo.
Continuing down, almost within the wash. The Wash led me back to my car.
Continuing down, almost within the wash. The Wash led me back to my car.
View back toward Coyote Skull Peak.
View back toward Coyote Skull Peak.

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