Fortification Peak via Cottonwood Canyon in Fortification Range Wilderness Area, NV

Hike Fortification Peak via Cottonwood Canyon Fortification Range Wilderness Area, NV

Class 2 6.6 miles 2200 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Sep 30, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Fortification Peak via Cottonwood Canyon GPX Track

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The Fortification Range is a blip in the Great Basin Desert that rarely gets attention, not even the high point of particular interest to most. In fact, the high point (simply named Fortification Range High Point) is the last of the high-prominence peaks in the greater area that I want to summit, but it looks pretty boring and has therefore fallen by the wayside. I initially intended to hike it today, but some satellite searching led me to this gem instead. Unlike the southern portion of the range where the forested high point lies, this hike, Fortification Peak is a sub-peak within the range farther north that overlooks totally incredible and unlikely hoodoo formations. Although you could likely approach this summit from the east via a shorter route, I was more excited to see the interesting amphitheater-like formation at the head of Cottonwood Canyon. To reach the trailhead, head east here (38.77376, -114.56861) and follow this excellent road to this junction (38.58977, -114.39363), turning west. Continue north here (38.58937, -114.42261) and turn left at a spur road here (38.61557, -114.42529). Any car can make it to this spur road, but the last mile requires decent clearance to overcome high brush and ruts.

I was surprised to find Cottonwood Canyon was a marked trailhead, and even more surprised to find a trail register, not signed in a year. I was expecting to spend some time bushwhacking, but instead I set off gleefully through the forest on a trail! Although I only got glimpses of the crazy formations to the west through the trees, I was thrilled to be making quick progress and knew higher up I'd have a better view. The trail was in decent shape, and cairns marked a couple of trickier spots to follow, specifically leading out of a wash after a short spurt of hiking within it. At around 7150', the trail oddly just ends at a hoof-destroyed spring. I'm not sure if this is the actual end of the trail, and further research revealed little to nothing else about it, but from here onward the slope becomes steeper and so eroded from rain and wild horses that it no longer exists.

You may notice on my attached map that I switchback quite a bit, but this is moreso an attempt at following the various animal trails as they weave up the slope rather than actually trying to stick to an human-made trail. The route I took avoided small cliffs farther west, as well as kept bushwhacking to a minimum. I was getting hints of views toward the amphitheater and its incredible formations. There is an unnamed peak at the head of the amphitheater that I was hoping to hike to as well, but I quickly started to realize that the terrain would be too rugged and the summit likely an impossible feat. Fortunately that wouldn't be the case for Fortification Peak, my main prize for the outing. After ascending pretty steeply on this slope, I continued through the forest to a minor saddle at around 7900', where an overlook gave me the best views of the day into the amphitheater. What the actual f**k was this amazing formation doing way out in the middle of nowhere? Although not epic by the standards of some, I think the unique nature of this area and its existence relative to the other mountains of the region are what made me love it so much.

I started descending south toward Fortification Peak, the gothic-looking summit coming into view shortly after. I side-hilled around a minor hump to reach the saddle on the peak's north side, where I took in some more views and then considered my options for reaching Fortification Peak. The north side was a steep and unlikely face, but its east side seemed more feasible. I continued side-hilling through an old burn area, hopping over some deadfall and an occasional boulder before reaching the peak's eastern slope. I couldn't really see the summit from here yet, but I started up the steep slope with some minor brush and made my way toward what seemed like the high point. The slope became steeper and introduced a fun, Class 2/2+ series of moves on solid rock, oddly slanted and with cool features. The summit views were excellent, and I could see the amphitheater again to the north well enough to get a cool perspective of its scale. I could also see the Fortification Range High Point to the south, a forested lump I'd get back to one day. I'm learning it's often better to change plans when my excitement turns to other things, and this was a prime example. The high point isn't always the best point!

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Fortification Peak
8268 ft
908 rise

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Cottonwood Canyon Trailhead.
Cottonwood Canyon Trailhead.
Along the Cottonwood Canyon Trail, which mostly keeps to the south side of the drainage.
Along the Cottonwood Canyon Trail, which mostly keeps to the south side of the drainage.
Interesting formations along the trail.
Interesting formations along the trail.
Glimpses of the amphitheater ahead.
Glimpses of the amphitheater ahead.
A short section within the wash, where a cairn marked the spot to leave and rejoin the trail.
A short section within the wash, where a cairn marked the spot to leave and rejoin the trail.
View back.
View back.
Nicer view to the northwest as the trail ascends a bit.
Nicer view to the northwest as the trail ascends a bit.
A nice overlook shortly before the trail ends where you can see a great perspective of the amphitheater.
A nice overlook shortly before the trail ends where you can see a great perspective of the amphitheater.
Close-up at an unnamed peak at the head of the amphitheater I was hoping to go for, but it looks pretty near-impossible.
Close-up at an unnamed peak at the head of the amphitheater I was hoping to go for, but it looks pretty near-impossible.
View back down toward the drainage.
View back down toward the drainage.
A spring at the end of the trail.
A spring at the end of the trail.
Horse trail leading away from the spring.
Horse trail leading away from the spring.
A shot to the west toward the head of the amphitheater. There are a slew of animal trails in all directions leading up the slope.
A shot to the west toward the head of the amphitheater. There are a slew of animal trails in all directions leading up the slope.
I sometimes left the animal trails and just ascended the slope when it made more sense.
I sometimes left the animal trails and just ascended the slope when it made more sense.
Headed through the trees on my way up to the saddle above, cool pinnacles poking out above.
Headed through the trees on my way up to the saddle above, cool pinnacles poking out above.
The amphitheater from above.
The amphitheater from above.
Gorgeous view.
Gorgeous view.
Image 17 from gallery
Fortification Peak seen center. I descended slightly and then side-hilled around the lump seen on the right.
Fortification Peak seen center. I descended slightly and then side-hilled around the lump seen on the right.
View back toward the saddle I came from.
View back toward the saddle I came from.
Another shot at Fortification Peak.
Another shot at Fortification Peak.
Close-up as I continue toward the base of the peak.
Close-up as I continue toward the base of the peak.
At another saddle, view toward the summit (center).
At another saddle, view toward the summit (center).
Cool formations along the way.
Cool formations along the way.
View back. The saddle I came up from seen right of center, the hill I avoided seen center.
View back. The saddle I came up from seen right of center, the hill I avoided seen center.
Wider shot looking back. I came from the center, the amphitheater blocked from view on the left.
Wider shot looking back. I came from the center, the amphitheater blocked from view on the left.
Wrapping around to the east side of Foritification Peak.
Wrapping around to the east side of Foritification Peak.
View back, cool formations seen to the northeast.
View back, cool formations seen to the northeast.
The slope steepens and then becomes Class 2 toward the top.
The slope steepens and then becomes Class 2 toward the top.
Class 2 on solid rock.
Class 2 on solid rock.
View down at my progress.
View down at my progress.
Summit just ahead, Class 2.
Summit just ahead, Class 2.
Fortification Peak summit, view northwest.
Fortification Peak summit, view northwest.
Fortification Peak summit, view northeast.
Fortification Peak summit, view northeast.
Close-up toward the amphitheater.
Close-up toward the amphitheater.
Fortification Peak summit, view south toward the Fortification Range High Point.
Fortification Peak summit, view south toward the Fortification Range High Point.
On the way back, sunset lighting on the unnamed peak at the head of the amphitheater.
On the way back, sunset lighting on the unnamed peak at the head of the amphitheater.

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!