Hike Dead Horse Ridge and Saddle Mountain Desert National Wildlife Refuge, NV

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Dead Horse Ridge is a fairly big peak within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. It's sort of the last big one in the area for me to do out here that's not on military property, and it's far enough away from Las Vegas to not get any sort of attention. Reaching the trailhead is straightforward on a decent dirt road (just a bit rocky at times, but likely any car can make it).

I headed east through the open desert toward the major drainage north of Dead Horse Ridge. This drainage is mostly brush-free, but there were a couple of Class 3 moves to overcome small headwalls. You might be able to bypass them, but none are exposed or difficult. I followed the main drainage to its head, marked by the saddle separating Dead Horse Ridge from Saddle Mountain. The lightly hilly ridge to Dead Horse Ridge was easy walking, but the steep slope to Saddle Mountain was Class 2.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Dead Horse Ridge

7061 ft

1661 rise

Saddle Mountain

7035 ft

355 rise

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Dead Horse Ridge visible top right. I headed though the desert to the wash visible left of center.

Within the wash.

View back through the open desert.

Ascending the wash.

Brush was minimal and easy to avoid.

The narrowest section of the wash, nothing too special.

An easy Class 3 cliff band within the drainage.

View back at my progress.

Ascending the main drainage.

Easy Class 3 move.

Another Class 3 cliff band, the last and most difficult move.

Slightly more brushy, but still not bad as I make my way to the saddle above.

View back into the main drainage, view from the saddle of Saddle Mountain and Dead Horse Ridge.

Dead Horse Ridge Ahead. Hayford Peak visible on the distant left.

View back, Saddle Mountain visible on the right.

Dead Horse Ridge ahead.

Summit of Dead Horse Ridge, view south.

Summit of Dead Horse Ridge, view northwest. My car is down there somewhere.

On my way back from Dead Horse Ridge, Saddle Mountain next, visible ahead.

Class 2 up to Saddle Mountain.

View down the slope leading to Saddle Mountain, Dead Horse Ridge visible center.

Saddle Mountain, view down into the drainage I ascended from. Area 51 is out there somewhere.

Saddle Mountain, view east toward some really obscure peaks.

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!