Hike Fortification Ridge Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

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Feb 10, 2026 — Spanning north to south between the popular Fortification Hill hike, and the extended Mount Wilson’s ridgeline lies a minor summit called Fortification Ridge. I parked at the wilderness boundary after following the graded Kingman Wash Road, and then Fortification Hill Road.

The hike began by following the upper reaches of Kingman Wash, a sandy walk up to a low saddle that’s roughly the same altitude as the high point of Fortification Ridge. The tip of the peak came into view, and the Muddy Mountains were clear in the distance. From here I continued down toward its southern base, dropping a few hundred feet through another sandy wash that I would need to regain on the way back.

I left this drainage when it dropped me by by the south end of Fortification Ridge, and I headed up and over a couple of bumps and a minor drainage until I felt it made sense to head up the ridgeline proper. What followed was a mellow and less than 2 mile hike to the high point with some light elevation gain. I found it pretty cool how the washes on either side of the ridgeline progressively fell away while I was hiking at a such a gradual and mild ascent grade. There was even a faint animal trail for much of the crest which aided in wrapping around a bunch of unnecessary lumps. There are a couple of steeper and/or rockier sections, but they are short-lived and arguably don’t even qualify as Class 2.

The summit views of Lake Mead are immense, and I could make out all the little peaklets found on Lake Mead’s northern shore.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Fortification Ridge

2867 ft

343 rise

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Entering Kingman Wash from the trailhead.

The wash ascends to a low saddle.

Looking back from the low saddle.

A view toward Lake Mead.

Down another wash, Fortification Ridge seen center.

The southern end of Fortification Ridge ahead. I wrapped to the right around it.

I gained the crest and continued north.

View back, the popular Fortification Hill on the far right.

Fortification Ridge ahead. You can see an animal trail along the crest, which was visible for a fair amount of the hike.

Light Class 2.

Pleasant ridgeline walk.

Approaching a steeper section along the crest.

View back along the ridgeline at one of the few steeper sections.

Fortification Ridge seen on the right. Lake Mead behind it.

Approaching Fortification Ridge summit.

View back from the summit of Fortification Ridge. Mount Wilson's ridgeline seen left, Fortification Hill on the right.

Fortification Hill over there.

Fortification Ridge summit, view north.

Close-up toward the Muddy Mountains.

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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!