Hayford Peak via Hidden Forest Cabin in Desert National Wildlife Refuge, NV

Hike Hayford Peak via Hidden Forest Cabin Desert National Wildlife Refuge, NV

Class 2 15.8 miles 4800 gain 6-8 hrs Out + Back Apr 28, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Hayford Peak via Hidden Forest Cabin GPX Track

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We followed the standard route up to Hayford Peak, passing a historic cabin within Deadman Canyon. The gravel road required to drive out to the Hidden Forest Trailhead was slow-moving, mostly because I'm freaked out about getting a flat, but the desert was pretty. From the trailhead, Austin and I headed into Deadman Canyon along a slightly tedious gravel trail. The gravel slowly becomes easier to walk in and eventually the Hidden Forest Trail lends itself to being a proper trail and pleasantly heads over five miles to the Hidden Forest Cabin. The cabin seems to get a fair amount of traffic and has some nice culture, where people leave behind goodies and add to a wish list for the cabin. After having lunch, we headed up a social trail on the steep slope directly north of the cabin, but this social trail faded away. Rather than search for it, we continued up the slope to the ridgeline. Note: on the way down, we were able to locate the social trail about a hundred feet to the east, but it had scree and was less appealing. Anyway, from the ridgeline, the social trail became clear, marked heavily with cairns and undulating a bit before getting to a point just southwest of Hayford Peak. We dropped a hundred feet or so to the saddle and then worked up a steep social trail to some very light Class 2 just below the summit. The views from Hayford Peak were really nice. We could see the Muddy Mountains, Lake Mead, Las Vegas, and much more to the south. Trees obscured our view to the north.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Hayford Peak
9912 ft
5392 rise

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Starting up Deadman Canyon along the Hidden Forest Trail.
Starting up Deadman Canyon along the Hidden Forest Trail.
A long walk up a gravel wash before the canyon narrows up a bit.
A long walk up a gravel wash before the canyon narrows up a bit.
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Image 3 from gallery
The Hidden Forest Trail becomes more interesting, nice limestone walls on either side.
The Hidden Forest Trail becomes more interesting, nice limestone walls on either side.
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Image 6 from gallery
The Hidden Forest Trail becomes progressively more forested.
The Hidden Forest Trail becomes progressively more forested.
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Image 10 from gallery
Approaching the Hidden Forest Cabin.
Approaching the Hidden Forest Cabin.
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Image 14 from gallery
The spring, running during our visit.
The spring, running during our visit.
After the cabin, headed north up a social trail toward Hayford Peak.
After the cabin, headed north up a social trail toward Hayford Peak.
We lost the social trail, and continued straight up the steep slope.
We lost the social trail, and continued straight up the steep slope.
On the ridgeline after the initial slope ascent. Hayford Peak visible on the right.
On the ridgeline after the initial slope ascent. Hayford Peak visible on the right.
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Looking back along the ridge, Sheep Peak on the right.
Looking back along the ridge, Sheep Peak on the right.
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Continuing along the ridge, Hayford Peak on the right.
Continuing along the ridge, Hayford Peak on the right.
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At the high point just west of Hayford Peak, looking toward the saddle between us and Hayford.
At the high point just west of Hayford Peak, looking toward the saddle between us and Hayford.
On the way up Hayford Peak, looking back toward the high point we came down from.
On the way up Hayford Peak, looking back toward the high point we came down from.
Steep social trail leading up Hayford Peak.
Steep social trail leading up Hayford Peak.
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Image 28 from gallery
Some light Class 2 (not pictured).
Some light Class 2 (not pictured).
Leaving the forest as we get up toward Hayford Peak's summit. Sheep Peak visible far left, the open desert on the right.
Leaving the forest as we get up toward Hayford Peak's summit. Sheep Peak visible far left, the open desert on the right.
Last bit of slope before the summit.
Last bit of slope before the summit.
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Just below Hayford Peak's summit, looking southwest toward Sheep Peak and the Spring Mountains.
Just below Hayford Peak's summit, looking southwest toward Sheep Peak and the Spring Mountains.
Image 34 from gallery
Hayford Peak summit.
Hayford Peak summit.

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!