Forlorn Peaks and North Lonesome Wash Loop in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Forlorn Peaks and North Lonesome Wash Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 10.2 miles 4100 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Mar 6, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Forlorn Peaks and North Lonesome Wash Loop GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

This exploratory loop within Lake Mead National Recreation Area hits the peaklets Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, Withdrawn Peak (named by Adam Walker to stick with the nearby similarly named peaks' theme), Peak 2840, Forlorn Hope Peak, and Peeper Benchmark. There is a major drainage to the south known as Lonesome Wash. The peaks in this trip report are located around another wash to the north of Lonesome Wash, so I named the primary wash I traveled through "North Lonesome Wash". Initially, I planned to get Withdrawn Peak by coming up from the south, but after learning of this trailhead's existence from Adam Walker, I realized I could facilitate this fun loop instead.

The road to the trailhead had a couple of large rocks, but was otherwise just a decent dirt road that gave me little trouble. To reach it, navigate here (35.91391, -114.91852) and follow the south/southeast-leading road (Route E) to here (Route F, 35.88844, -114.90824) and follow this southeast to the trailhead.

I started first to the south toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, following the ridge. After the first bit of ascending, I got to a visually appealing rideline. Don't follow it since it cliffs out, instead dropping to the right on a 10-foot Class 2 section and keep along the base of the cliffs, then staying generally along the ridge again. A nice meander along the sloping ridge had some great views, and soon I came to the base of a cliff blocking Forlorn-Lonesome Peak. A bypass on the right brought me safely around the cliff and up to a short Class 2 scramble to gain the summit.

From the summit of Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, I retraced my steps and dopped down into the major drainage to the north (Class 2), and then followed this through the extremely wide North Lonesome Wash for a few miles. Along the way, I got to see some nice wildflower scenery and wandered through a large cholla cactus forest. Withdrawn Peak came into view ahead, my next objective. The route I took continues to a low saddle just west of Withdrawn Peak, where I  then side-hilled up to the peak's western slope. Class 2 talus/scree led me to the summit ridge, where I got some really amazing 360 degree views of this remote area of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

I dropped off Withdrawn Peak back the way I came, headed generally northwest along the ridge. I wanted to follow the ridge in hopes of finding a fun loop route rather than returning up North Lonesome Wash. The ridge had some pretty sections and was overall a nice stroll through the desert, including another nice section of cholla cactus forest. Peak 2840 along the way was unmemorable, but offered a Class 3 obstacle on the descent. I still rated the route as Class 2 since you can easily avoid the Class 3 by backtracking a hundred feet from the summit and descending before the eroded cliffs block easy descent access.

As I continued west along the pleasant ridge, I noted the cliffs barring a direct route up to the rim above. Rather than continue along the ridge where I'd inevitably get cliffed out, I spied a wide Class 2+ gully to the right of the ridge that led me up some fun scrambling sections. I topped out on the lovely slope that I could follow to the summit of Forlorn Hope Peak. An unexpected Class 2 scramble met me on the descent.

As I continued west along the ridge after Forlorn Hope Peak, Peeper Benchmark seemed a worthy addition to the route. I ignored the fact that I had been out of water for an hour and decided to go bag that one as well, a straightforward walk along the sloping ridge. Two short Class 2 sections on the ascent to Peeper Benchmark made this otherwise silly bump a little more fun. I dropped down to the road I drove in on and followed it back to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Forlorn-Lonesome Peak
3108 ft
308 rise
2
Withdrawn Peak (Peak 2720)
2720 ft
480 rise
3
Peak 2840
2840 ft
280 rise
4
Forlorn Hope Peak
3535 ft
735 rise
5
Peeper Benchmark
3513 ft
473 rise

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!

View southwest toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak (top left).
View southwest toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak (top left).
Forlorn-Lonesome Peak top right.
Forlorn-Lonesome Peak top right.
Along the ridge to Forlorn-Lonesome Peak - the ridge ahead is tempting, but cliffs out. Drop to the right on Class 2 and avoid it by hugging the cliff base visible on the right.
Along the ridge to Forlorn-Lonesome Peak - the ridge ahead is tempting, but cliffs out. Drop to the right on Class 2 and avoid it by hugging the cliff base visible on the right.
Past the cliff, view toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, the high point in the center of this photo.
Past the cliff, view toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, the high point in the center of this photo.
View back along the ridge. Peeper Benchmark visible top center, Forlorn Hope Peak top right.
View back along the ridge. Peeper Benchmark visible top center, Forlorn Hope Peak top right.
Cliffs barring access to Forlorn-Lonesome Peak. I dropped down to the right and found a Class 2 slope to the summit around the cliff base.
Cliffs barring access to Forlorn-Lonesome Peak. I dropped down to the right and found a Class 2 slope to the summit around the cliff base.
Forlorn-Lonesome Peak summit, view down at the slope I ascended. I came from around the left of the cliffs in the center of this photo.
Forlorn-Lonesome Peak summit, view down at the slope I ascended. I came from around the left of the cliffs in the center of this photo.
Forlorn-Lonesome Peak summit, view toward Lonesome Wash to the east, where I'll be dropping into shortly. Withdrawn Peak visible top right of center, and Malpais Flattop Mesa visible above it.
Forlorn-Lonesome Peak summit, view toward Lonesome Wash to the east, where I'll be dropping into shortly. Withdrawn Peak visible top right of center, and Malpais Flattop Mesa visible above it.
I backtracked and dropped into the drainage to the north of Forlorn-Lonesome Peak in order to get into North Lonesome Wash.
I backtracked and dropped into the drainage to the north of Forlorn-Lonesome Peak in order to get into North Lonesome Wash.
North Lonesome Wash.
North Lonesome Wash.
View back toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, within North Lonesome Wash.
View back toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, within North Lonesome Wash.
Cholla cacti forest. Withdrawn Peak visible top center.
Cholla cacti forest. Withdrawn Peak visible top center.
At a minor saddle to the west of Withdrawn Peak. I headed up the west ridge.
At a minor saddle to the west of Withdrawn Peak. I headed up the west ridge.
Class 2 talus as I ascend to Withdrawn Peak.
Class 2 talus as I ascend to Withdrawn Peak.
Class 2 scree. There was a sweet spot to get around the cliffy crap on the left of the overhanging orange rock visible on the right in this photo.
Class 2 scree. There was a sweet spot to get around the cliffy crap on the left of the overhanging orange rock visible on the right in this photo.
Withdrawn Peak ahead.
Withdrawn Peak ahead.
Withdrawn Peak summit.
Withdrawn Peak summit.
Withdrawn Peak summit, view back into North Lonesome Wash. Forlorn Hope Peak visible top right. I'll be heading along the ridgeline to get there.
Withdrawn Peak summit, view back into North Lonesome Wash. Forlorn Hope Peak visible top right. I'll be heading along the ridgeline to get there.
After dropping off Withdrawn Peak, heading along the ridgeline. First up is Peak 2840, visible top right. Forlorn Hope Peak top left.
After dropping off Withdrawn Peak, heading along the ridgeline. First up is Peak 2840, visible top right. Forlorn Hope Peak top left.
Looking back toward Withdrawn Peak (center).
Looking back toward Withdrawn Peak (center).
Continuing along the ridgeline.
Continuing along the ridgeline.
Entering a cholla cacti forest.
Entering a cholla cacti forest.
Looking back toward Withdrawn Peak (top center).
Looking back toward Withdrawn Peak (top center).
Higher up, view back toward Withdrawn Peak.
Higher up, view back toward Withdrawn Peak.
Summit of Peak 2840. Forlorn Hope Peak visible top left.
Summit of Peak 2840. Forlorn Hope Peak visible top left.
Class 3 optional section on Peak 2840's descent. Avoidable by backtracking and working around the cliffs.
Class 3 optional section on Peak 2840's descent. Avoidable by backtracking and working around the cliffs.
Looking back toward Peak 2840 (top left) and Withdrawn Peak (top right).
Looking back toward Peak 2840 (top left) and Withdrawn Peak (top right).
Lots of cliffs blocking Forlorn Hope Peak.
Lots of cliffs blocking Forlorn Hope Peak.
I found a weakness (right) and used that to get up.
I found a weakness (right) and used that to get up.
Class 2/2+ weakness.
Class 2/2+ weakness.
Looking back toward Peak 2840 (left).
Looking back toward Peak 2840 (left).
Forlorn Hope Peak ahead.
Forlorn Hope Peak ahead.
Forlorn Hope Peak, Peeper Benchmark visible top right.
Forlorn Hope Peak, Peeper Benchmark visible top right.
Forlorn Hope Peak, view north. Railroad Peaks visible top left.
Forlorn Hope Peak, view north. Railroad Peaks visible top left.
Looking back at a Class 2 section when descending from Forlorn Hope Peak.
Looking back at a Class 2 section when descending from Forlorn Hope Peak.
Close-up into North Lonesome Wash.
Close-up into North Lonesome Wash.
Peeper Benchmark ahead.
Peeper Benchmark ahead.
Image 37 from gallery
Ridgeline to Peeper Benchmark.
Ridgeline to Peeper Benchmark.
Peeper Benchmark summit, looking back. Forlorn Hope Peak top left, Forlorn-Lonesome Peak top right.
Peeper Benchmark summit, looking back. Forlorn Hope Peak top left, Forlorn-Lonesome Peak top right.
Peeper Benchmark, view north.
Peeper Benchmark, view north.
Heading back through the desert toward my car.
Heading back through the desert toward my car.

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!