Fortification Hill in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Hike Fortification Hill Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Class 2 3.5 miles 1400 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Jan 15, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Fortification Hill GPX Track

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Fortification Hill is a hunk of volcanic mesa that overlooks Lake Mead. The summit is visible from all over Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and is notably very steep on all sides due to a formidable cliff band. It's a fairly popular hike since there's an official trail to the summit, though traffic is limited because the road to reach the trailhead might not be possible to hesitant passenger car drivers.

From the trailhead I started north using a minor spur ridge that undulated a bit as it gained a few hundred feet to the base of Fortification Hill's major cliff band. The trail got a bit steeper as it reached the volcanic band, then evened out for a short time as it traversed north at the band's base. A Class 2+ set of moves leads up an initial section of the cliff, then continues traversing north before making a hairpin turn to the left and ascending a Class 2 gully to gain the mesatop. The trail then leads west over to the high point, where I enjoyed the views toward Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam from high above. I hadn't been up Fortification Hill in about 7 years, so it was pretty cool to return and have a much better knowledge of the peaks and surrounding landscape.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Fortification Hill
3717 ft
863 rise

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Fortification Hill trailhead. The trail leads up to the minor spur ridge on the right.
Fortification Hill trailhead. The trail leads up to the minor spur ridge on the right.
Along the Fortification Hill Trail. It undulates a bit as it ascends the hills on the right.
Along the Fortification Hill Trail. It undulates a bit as it ascends the hills on the right.
View back, my car seen center.
View back, my car seen center.
Steeper section along the spur ridge.
Steeper section along the spur ridge.
Approaching the base of Fortification Hill, the trail leading up the right side of this photo.
Approaching the base of Fortification Hill, the trail leading up the right side of this photo.
Another shot back before reaching the cliff band base of Fortification Hill.
Another shot back before reaching the cliff band base of Fortification Hill.
Cliff band base ahead. The trail keeps right once reaching it.
Cliff band base ahead. The trail keeps right once reaching it.
Traversing along the cliff band base.
Traversing along the cliff band base.
Class 2+ scramble section.
Class 2+ scramble section.
View down the scramble.
View down the scramble.
Still heading to the right, traversing below the second bit of cliff band.
Still heading to the right, traversing below the second bit of cliff band.
Class 2 gully to gain the top of the mesa.
Class 2 gully to gain the top of the mesa.
The Fortification Hill Trail continues along the mesatop.
The Fortification Hill Trail continues along the mesatop.
Fortification Hill summit ahead on the right.
Fortification Hill summit ahead on the right.
View back along the mesatop as I near the summit.
View back along the mesatop as I near the summit.
Fortification Hill summit ahead.
Fortification Hill summit ahead.
Lake Mead, seen from the Fortification Hill summit.
Lake Mead, seen from the Fortification Hill summit.
Close-up toward Lake Mead. Las Vegas seen top right.
Close-up toward Lake Mead. Las Vegas seen top right.
Close-up toward Promontory Point and the Hoover Dam.
Close-up toward Promontory Point and the Hoover Dam.
View north toward the Muddy Mountains (seen top right).
View north toward the Muddy Mountains (seen top right).

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!