Grey Cap Peak via Gateway Canyon Loop in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Hike Grey Cap Peak via Gateway Canyon Loop Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Class 3 6.4 miles 1900 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Jan 26, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Grey Cap Peak via Gateway Canyon Loop GPX Track

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Grey Cap Peak is a wonderful little peak in Calico Basin within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The peak can be reached from the scenic loop, but also from the free parking area that doesn't require a reservation at the Kraft Mountain parking area. I chose to start here to reach the summit since I also wanted to enjoy the sights within Gateway Canyon. I outlined an alternative route that goes up and over Pink Goblin Pass (bisecting Kraft Mountain and New Peak), a much shorter endeavor than the hike throught Gateway Canyon, if you prefer that option. Most will prefer to turn back from the summit of Grey Cap Peak, but a fun Class 3 ridgeline extends along its southeast side, if you want to make the hike more effort/fun.

Josh and I hiked around Kraft Mountain on the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail, which led us into Lower Gateway Canyon. This canyon has lots of beautiful boulders with typical Red Rock Canyon stripes and embedded Moki marbles. There are some scrambling obstacles within the canyon, and you'll likely pass many climbers within the canyon. Lower Gateway Canyon opens up for a while before narrowing again into the Upper Gateway Canyon portion. This section of the canyon is very different in character, limestone rather than sandstone. We scrambled over a few Class 2/3 obstacles, and were able to avoid many others with social trails that avoided otherwise difficult dryfalls. Some limestone boulder-hopping along the way slowed progress.

Now at the western base of Grey Cap Peak, I outlined a couple of ascent options. Orange on my attached map is what seems to be the more standard route, and it includes a trail or well-cairned route most of the way. The blue line I included as an alternative has some more scrambling and nicer views toward the sandstone backdrop beneath Turtlehead Peak, but you can explore that area on your own if you prefer to not take the standrd route. The standard route leaves Upper Gateway Canyon and ascends a gully divided cleanly: the left side is sandstone, the right side limestone. Once above the gully, a social trail wraps in an ascending traverse around the steep sandtone cliffs above, but keeps Class 2. The route bends northeast, drops slightly into a wider, open sandstone landscape, then ascends earnestly up a Class 2 sandstone slope to gain the west ridge of Grey Cap Peak.

From the summit of Grey Cap Peak, you can continue along the ridgeline heading southeast. This is a pretty committing ridgeline because it's difficult to know when descending south into Gateway Canyon is an option. The cliffs below the ridgeline are sheer at times, and certainly almost always danerous. On one outing I attempted a descent and found myself on Class 4/5 terrain, for instance. I think your best bet would be to commit to the whole ridgeline to ensure you don't risk having a scary time. This shouldn't be a problem since the ridge has some really fun scrambling and a minor knife-edge. Along the way we hopped up and over a minor peak called Goat Bed Peak, really just a stack of rocks. Josh and I went pretty far along the ridge and took a Class 3 descent, which was marked by a cairn. To keep the descent even more tame, you can likely head farther along the ridge until it becomes less steep. Once down the Class 3 stuff, a Class 2 slope brought us back to the Kraft Mountain trail system and then back to the trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Grey Cap Peak
5443 ft
403 rise
2
Goat Bed Peak
4960 ft
n/a rise

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Starting up the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail.
Starting up the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Kraft Mountain Loop Trail, entering Gateway Canyon. Turtlehead Peak visible center.
Kraft Mountain Loop Trail, entering Gateway Canyon. Turtlehead Peak visible center.
Image 3 from gallery
Some gorgeous scenery in Gateway Canyon.
Some gorgeous scenery in Gateway Canyon.
Image 5 from gallery
Image 6 from gallery
Gateway Canyon opens up and heads further northwest. Turtlehead Peak seen center left.
Gateway Canyon opens up and heads further northwest. Turtlehead Peak seen center left.
Image 8 from gallery
Working up Upper Gateway Canyon.
Working up Upper Gateway Canyon.
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Image 12 from gallery
Some really cool rock formations within Upper Gateway Canyon. I loved that Lower Gateway was all sandstone and Upper Gateway was limestone.
Some really cool rock formations within Upper Gateway Canyon. I loved that Lower Gateway was all sandstone and Upper Gateway was limestone.
Image 14 from gallery
Image 15 from gallery
Image 16 from gallery
Image 17 from gallery
The gully of choice to ascend to Grey Cap Peak seen on the right. My second time ascending Grey Cap, I followed the ridge visible in this photo.
The gully of choice to ascend to Grey Cap Peak seen on the right. My second time ascending Grey Cap, I followed the ridge visible in this photo.
The standard gully route. I went up to the saddle in the middle of this photo.
The standard gully route. I went up to the saddle in the middle of this photo.
Looking back at the saddle I came up, Turtlehead Peak visible behind it.
Looking back at the saddle I came up, Turtlehead Peak visible behind it.
Working around the south slopes of Grey Cap Peak.
Working around the south slopes of Grey Cap Peak.
Continuing around the south side of Grey Cap Peak.
Continuing around the south side of Grey Cap Peak.
A nice notch along the way with great views.
A nice notch along the way with great views.
Working up Class 2+ to Grey Cap Peak. The route-finding isn't too hard, but does require keeping your brain on.
Working up Class 2+ to Grey Cap Peak. The route-finding isn't too hard, but does require keeping your brain on.
Almost at the summit of Grey Cap Peak, looking back the way I came.
Almost at the summit of Grey Cap Peak, looking back the way I came.
Almost on Grey Cap Peak.
Almost on Grey Cap Peak.
Gray Cap Peak summit, view east at the ridge I'd continue on.
Gray Cap Peak summit, view east at the ridge I'd continue on.
Gray Cap Peak summit, view west toward Turtlehead Peak.
Gray Cap Peak summit, view west toward Turtlehead Peak.
Along the narrow ridgeline.
Along the narrow ridgeline.
Image 30 from gallery
Image 31 from gallery
A minor knife-edge along the ridge from Grey Cap Peak.
A minor knife-edge along the ridge from Grey Cap Peak.
Image 33 from gallery
Avoiding a sketchy section along the ridge, Goat Bed Peak visible center.
Avoiding a sketchy section along the ridge, Goat Bed Peak visible center.
Looking back toward the ridge that I left temporarily.
Looking back toward the ridge that I left temporarily.
Yes, suddenly there is no more snow. I know. I took a stupid descent my first time summiting Grey Cap, and I wanted to do the whole route again, this time using the entire ridgeline. See map for more info. So yes, all pictures from here on are from March 23, 2018 on my second time doing Grey Cap, properly mapping the route.
Yes, suddenly there is no more snow. I know. I took a stupid descent my first time summiting Grey Cap, and I wanted to do the whole route again, this time using the entire ridgeline. See map for more info. So yes, all pictures from here on are from March 23, 2018 on my second time doing Grey Cap, properly mapping the route.
Continuing along the ridge, view back toward Turtlehead Peak.
Continuing along the ridge, view back toward Turtlehead Peak.
Working along toward the end of the ridge after summitting Goat Bed Peak.
Working along toward the end of the ridge after summitting Goat Bed Peak.
Looking back toward Goat Bed Peak.
Looking back toward Goat Bed Peak.
Approaching the Class 3 down climb we chose along the ridge.
Approaching the Class 3 down climb we chose along the ridge.
Looking back up the Class 3 stuff we took on the way down from the ridge.
Looking back up the Class 3 stuff we took on the way down from the ridge.
Class 2 stuff to get back to the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail.
Class 2 stuff to get back to the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail.
Approaching the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail.
Approaching the Kraft Mountain Loop Trail.
Looking back at the ridge traverse.
Looking back at the ridge traverse.

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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!