
Starting from the Calico Basin trailhead on what's labeled "Hell Hill Trail". We ascended to Pink Goblin Pass.

At Pink Goblin Pass, view back toward the trailhead.

Descending from Pink Goblin Pass down into Gateway Canyon. Lower Gateway Canyon has really pretty sandstone boulders and fun obstacles, but we would be ascending through the limestone section.

Gateway Canyon turns from gavel to rocky Class 2.

Turtlehead Mountain visible ahead.

Some fun Class 2/3 obstacles.


View back into a narrow section within Gateway Canyon.

Gateway Canyon opens up into a sandstone wonderland.

View back down Gateway Canyon as we leave the drainage and head north along the base of Turtlehead Mountain.

View back, Gateway Canyon visible to the right of Austin. We left the sandstone drainage and kept to higher ground.

Even at higher ground, we encountered some sandstone chaos, but we were able to avoid the steepest stuff. A series of cairns less us through this short section of sandstone maze. Damsel Peak visible top center.

Navigating the sandstone.

There is a small sandstone cliff at the base in this picture. I don't know the best way down, but we located a Class 3 downclimb. Damsel Peak visible top center. Our route enters the wash in the center and ascends to the left of this photo.

Within the wash, the La Madre Mountains visible in the distance.

View back toward the sandstone cliff we descended from.

Working up the gravel wash.

The wash begins to narrow. Damsel Peak getting closer, visible on the top right.

The wash continues to narrow and get slightly choked with brush.

We avoided a few short dryfalls or downed trees by just keeping left or right of the wash.

Nearing the head of the wash, where we would reach the saddle of Damsel Peak and Gateway Peak.

View down toward the saddle of Gateway Peak (visible top right) and Damsel Peak, which we are headed to now. The La Madre Mountains are visible up top.

Social trail for a bit up the wide gully on Damsel Peak's west slope.

The social trail wasn't super obvious after a while, resulting in some light bushwhacking. La Madre Mountain visible top right.

Ascending to the ridge of Damsel Peak.

At the rim that would lead to Damsel Peak, a view toward our route so far. The sandstone we came out of is visible left center, Turtlehead Mountain center, the drainage we ascended heads to the right in this photo.

Along the rim to Damsel Peak.

Looking back as we head to Damsel Peak, the La Madre Mountains visible top center.

Damsel Peak, view toward Calico Basin. Turtlehead Mountain on the right. Our descent (purple alternate route on the attached map) wraps all the way around to the left.

Damsel Peak summit, view toward Las Vegas.

On our way down from Damsel Peak, a view toward Gateway Peak, right of center.

Steep slope to Gateway Peak.

Class 2 scree gully.

View back down the scree gully to get to Gateway Peak.

Gateway Peak summit, view toward La Madre East (right) and the La Madre Mountains ridgeline (left).

Gateway Peak summit, view toward Damsel Peak (left) and Turtlehead Mountain (back right).
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