Damsel Peak and Gateway Peak in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Hike Damsel Peak and Gateway Peak Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Class 3 12.3 miles 4200 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Apr 2, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Damsel Peak and Gateway Peak GPX Track

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Damsel Peak is a limstone peak set north of the popular Calico Basin in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It gets little visitation due to its relatively long approach, assuming you aren't trespassing. The land east of Brownstone Basin is owned by a construction company, and I asssume the area is going to be overridden with the Las Vegas sprawl soon enough. Rather than deal with trying to bypass the security, Austin and I hiked in via a legal, and pretty, route. This route takes more time than you'd think, since the first half wanders up a rocky canyon and navigates some sandstone chaos.

We started at the standard Kraft Mountain parking lot and headed up and over Pink Goblin Pass on the west side of Kraft Mountain, dropping down into Gateway Canyon. Alternatively, you could wrap around the east side ofr Kraft Mountain and ascend through Gateway Canyon, but this adds a bit of extra mileage. I also included a purple line in my attached map that outlines a longer option, but more on that at the end of my trip report.

Once within Gateway Canyon, we ascended to the north, encountering a bunch of fun Class 2/3 canyon obstacles. There are a few dryfalls that can be bypassed on steep terrain on either side, and overall it's a fun little section. Gateway Canyon starts to open up into a sandstone wonderland. We stayed within the drainage for a while, but as soon as a bright red series of slickrock dryfalls came in on the left, we ascended out of the sandstone and up into limestone territory. Staying within the drainage would likely result in cliffs, but I'm not sure. We wandered on higher ground at the base of Turtlehead Mountain's east slope, and cairns led us through some interesting sandstone terrain. We managed to drop down into Brownstone Basin to the north, but I honestly couldn't tell you the best option. There are many, and our scramble resulted in some Class 3 down-climbing to get into the wash below.

Damsel Peak was now situated just to our north, but the easiest access would be from its northwest side, serious cliffs blocking direct access through the desert. We headed up the gravel wash, gaining a fair amount of elevation as we progressed into the more forested landscape. The last half mile up this wash became a bit more choked with brush, but not enough to cause too much inconvenience. There was also a minor dryfall toward the head of the drainage, passable on the right via a social trail. We found ourselves at the saddle of Gateway Peak and Damsel Peak and continued east toward Damsel. A wide gully provided a nice social trail to the summit ridge, but it wasn't super easy to follow at times and we had to zig-zag around some brush. The views along the rim to the summit of Damsel Peak were nice. We could trace our entire route from the sandstone chaos to our current location.

Back at the saddle, we headed toward Gateway Peak, a steep slope leading to a Class 2 scree gully, and ultimately to this minor summit, where the views toward Damsel were actually pretty cool. Somehow these two peaks have been orphaned on my to-do list for such a long time that I had almost no excitement for them, but they ended up being a really good time.

Austin and I decided to run back a different way in an attempt to avoid the rocky and somewhat tedious upper Gateway Canyon. The result was the purple line on my attached map. The first mile follows the wash we used for our approach to Damsel Peak, but soon exits the wilderness area and follows a dirt road as it descends through Brownstone Basin. A ridge on the right prevented direct access back to the car, so we headed up and over it and located a Class 3 down-climb over the rocky south side. We then headed through the desert and back to the Kraft Mountain trail system. It's certainly less pretty and interesting than our approach route. The stats for this hike do not reflect this "alternate route", assuming you do it as an out-and-back via the orange line.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Damsel Peak
6977 ft
857 rise
2
Gateway Peak
6530 ft
390 rise

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Starting from the Calico Basin trailhead on what's labeled "Hell Hill Trail". We ascended to Pink Goblin Pass.
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.
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.
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.
Gateway Canyon turns from gavel to rocky Class 2.
Turtlehead Mountain visible ahead.
Turtlehead Mountain visible ahead.
Some fun Class 2/3 obstacles.
Some fun Class 2/3 obstacles.
Image 6 from gallery
View back into a narrow section within Gateway Canyon.
View back into a narrow section within Gateway Canyon.
Gateway Canyon opens up into a sandstone wonderland.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Within the wash, the La Madre Mountains visible in the distance.
View back toward the sandstone cliff we descended from.
View back toward the sandstone cliff we descended from.
Working up the gravel wash.
Working up the gravel wash.
The wash begins to narrow. Damsel Peak getting closer, visible on the top right.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Along the rim to Damsel Peak.
Looking back as we head to Damsel Peak, the La Madre Mountains visible top center.
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, 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.
Damsel Peak summit, view toward Las Vegas.
On our way down from Damsel Peak, a view toward Gateway Peak, right of center.
On our way down from Damsel Peak, a view toward Gateway Peak, right of center.
Steep slope to Gateway Peak.
Steep slope to Gateway Peak.
Class 2 scree gully.
Class 2 scree gully.
View back down the scree gully to get to Gateway Peak.
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 La Madre East (right) and the La Madre Mountains ridgeline (left).
Gateway Peak summit, view toward Damsel Peak (left) and Turtlehead Mountain (back right).
Gateway Peak summit, view toward Damsel Peak (left) and Turtlehead Mountain (back right).

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