Endless Peak and Capuchin Peak via Anniversary Narrows in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Endless Peak and Capuchin Peak via Anniversary Narrows Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 2 4.9 miles 2300 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jan 25, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Endless Peak and Capuchin Peak via Anniversary Narrows GPX Track

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Both Endless Peak and Capuchin Peak can be hiked from the north, but the approach through Anniversary Narrows seemed a lot more creative, especially since in addition to summit views we'd get to see a slot canyon. 2WD can get to the trailhead, and as of March 2023 the road is graded though a passenger car may get spooked by a couple of sections where the old pavement has eroded away.

Austin and I parked in a pull-out a bit before the mouth of Anniversary Narrows since the road was washed. We spent some time checking out the pretty slot canyon until its head. The features are pretty unique and the canyon is a classic Las Vegas hike by itself. We then returned to the entrance of Anniversary Narrows.

On my attached map you'll notice two lines, one purple (eastern). This purple route was an exploratory mess-up as an ascent, but it ultimately worked out nicely. I'll describe it first in case you want some added adventure. We saw a neat-looking ramp beckoning us out of the north side of the Anniversary Narrows. This led along an exposed Class 2 ledge all the way up to the southeastern ridge of Endless Peak.

Alternatively (and I recommend this route instead), you should consider ascending Endless Peak via a wide, rocky slope just after entering Anniversary Narrows. This Class 2 slope has many loose boulders, and gains elevation steeply. The route will naturally lead you up to the left of the drainage separating Capuchin Peak and Endless Peak, but don't let it. Instead, drop into this drainage when you can and ascend out of it on its east side. From here, scramble up easy Class 2 to gain the southeast ridge of Endless Peak. Both routes we took led here.

Once along the southeast ridge of Endless Peak, we followed the squiggly ridge to the summit. There were no obstacles surpassing Class 2, though a false summit just before reaching Endless Peak added a bit of extra gain/loss. After reaching Endless Peak, we started back along the ridgeline and glanced toward Capuchin Peak from the false sumit of Endless Peak. It didn't look all that interesting so far below. Of course, it was already part of the itinerary so down we went. Class 2 on large slabs not dissimilar to the ascent to Endless Peak took us down steeply to the saddle separating the two summits. I'll note that this saddle is likely the best option for returning more safely later on, but more on that shortly.

Class 2 brought us to Capuchin Peak via its northern slope, the path of least resistance becoming apparent as we ascended. Capuchin Peak's views were inferior to Endless, so we continued along its east ridge to get back down into Anniversary Narrows. The route slowly descended, then we reached a serious drop. From above it looked like we would get cliffed out, but with some Class 2 (and Class 2+ lower down), we were able to close our loop. The sloped ridge feature was pretty extraordinary here, massive slabs of rock turned nearly vertical. Although a bit more dangerous than the rest of the sections on this hike, I thought it was a very cool little section. In order to avoid this portion, from Capuchin Peak, just return to the saddle separating it from Endless Peak and descend using the drainage separating the two in order to close the loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Endless Peak
3414 ft
814 rise
2
Capuchin Peak
2831 ft
272 rise

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From the parking area, the hike starts through a wash.
From the parking area, the hike starts through a wash.
The wash is littered with old mining crap.
The wash is littered with old mining crap.
Entering the mouth of Anniversary Narrows.
Entering the mouth of Anniversary Narrows.
The first very cool feature after entering Anniversary Narrows.
The first very cool feature after entering Anniversary Narrows.
There was some water in the narrows on our visit. The next few shots are of the pretty Anniversary Narrows formations.
There was some water in the narrows on our visit. The next few shots are of the pretty Anniversary Narrows formations.
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Stemming to avoid touching the water.
Stemming to avoid touching the water.
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At the head of Anniversary Narrows enjoying the light on the big walls before heading back through to find our route up to Endless Peak.
At the head of Anniversary Narrows enjoying the light on the big walls before heading back through to find our route up to Endless Peak.
This was the ramp we chose to ascend to add some adventure (purple line on attached map). It worked somehow. I recommend this route if you want to add a little extra fun to the hike. Alternatively, head to the mouth of Anniversary Narrows and locate an easier slope (a few photos below).
This was the ramp we chose to ascend to add some adventure (purple line on attached map). It worked somehow. I recommend this route if you want to add a little extra fun to the hike. Alternatively, head to the mouth of Anniversary Narrows and locate an easier slope (a few photos below).
If you take the ramp route, this is a shot looking down the ramp into Anniversary Narrows.
If you take the ramp route, this is a shot looking down the ramp into Anniversary Narrows.
Close-up over the rim into Anniversary Narrows. The next few photos are if you're starting on the other ascent route option from the mouth of Anniversary Narrows.
Close-up over the rim into Anniversary Narrows. The next few photos are if you're starting on the other ascent route option from the mouth of Anniversary Narrows.
At the mouth of Anniversary Narrows, this is the more straightforward route option. It heads up the slope on the left.
At the mouth of Anniversary Narrows, this is the more straightforward route option. It heads up the slope on the left.
View down the slope toward the mouth of Anniversary Narrows. Wild geology here.
View down the slope toward the mouth of Anniversary Narrows. Wild geology here.
The ramp ascends to this view. To reach Endless Peak, drop into the drainage in the center and ascend the slope ahead.
The ramp ascends to this view. To reach Endless Peak, drop into the drainage in the center and ascend the slope ahead.
Dropping into the drainage as we begin the ascent to Endless Peak. You can see the steep descent route from Capchin Peak we did on the left. The easier route to get back would come from the drainage in the center.
Dropping into the drainage as we begin the ascent to Endless Peak. You can see the steep descent route from Capchin Peak we did on the left. The easier route to get back would come from the drainage in the center.
Ascending Endless Peak's southern slope to reach its southeastern ridge. Endless Peak visible left of center.
Ascending Endless Peak's southern slope to reach its southeastern ridge. Endless Peak visible left of center.
View back into the drainage we came out of as we near the ridgeline.
View back into the drainage we came out of as we near the ridgeline.
Along the southeastern ridge, there were some fun obstacles. This was a fun, avoidable Class 2/3 section.
Along the southeastern ridge, there were some fun obstacles. This was a fun, avoidable Class 2/3 section.
View down into the drainage between Endless Peak and Capuchin Peak. Anniversary Narrows seen at the very top.
View down into the drainage between Endless Peak and Capuchin Peak. Anniversary Narrows seen at the very top.
On the southeast ridge of Endless Peak, looking back toward Anniversary Narrows.
On the southeast ridge of Endless Peak, looking back toward Anniversary Narrows.
Endless Peak ahead.
Endless Peak ahead.
Wiggly ridgeline.
Wiggly ridgeline.
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Close-up of Austin in the center.
Close-up of Austin in the center.
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Our progress so far up to Endless Peak.
Our progress so far up to Endless Peak.
Approaching the false summit of Endless Peak.
Approaching the false summit of Endless Peak.
Endless Peak ahead, seen from the false summit.
Endless Peak ahead, seen from the false summit.
Looking back toward the false summit as we near the true summit.
Looking back toward the false summit as we near the true summit.
Endless Peak summit, looking northwest. Muddy Mountains on the right.
Endless Peak summit, looking northwest. Muddy Mountains on the right.
Endless Peak summit, looking south at the Endless Peak false summit, Capuchin Peak (right).
Endless Peak summit, looking south at the Endless Peak false summit, Capuchin Peak (right).
Back on the false summit, now heading to Capuchin Peak (left of center). The following photos are from a better-lit day, hence their drastic change in lighting.
Back on the false summit, now heading to Capuchin Peak (left of center). The following photos are from a better-lit day, hence their drastic change in lighting.
View back up as we descend from Endless Peak.
View back up as we descend from Endless Peak.
Endless Peak top left.
Endless Peak top left.
Almost up Capuchin Peak's Class 2 northern slope, view toward the slope/ridge we descended from Endless Peak on.
Almost up Capuchin Peak's Class 2 northern slope, view toward the slope/ridge we descended from Endless Peak on.
Capuchin Peak summit, view east.
Capuchin Peak summit, view east.
View back toward Capuchin Peak.
View back toward Capuchin Peak.
The ridge dropped steeply. Anniversary Narrows seen center.
The ridge dropped steeply. Anniversary Narrows seen center.
View back up the steep, cool geology.
View back up the steep, cool geology.
Nearing the bottom of the steep Class 2/2+. You can see the drainage we crossed though in the center on the way up to Endless Peak. Anniversary Narrows seen top right.
Nearing the bottom of the steep Class 2/2+. You can see the drainage we crossed though in the center on the way up to Endless Peak. Anniversary Narrows seen top right.
Final shot back up the steep stuff as we closed the loop.
Final shot back up the steep stuff as we closed the loop.

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