Highland Peak and Central Highland Range in Highland Range BLM, NV

Hike Highland Peak and Central Highland Range Highland Range BLM, NV

Class 3 9.6 miles 3400 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Dec 3, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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The Highland Range is a small range south of Las Vegas that is more known for its Castle Tower summit, a scarier endeavor which I did a few months later with a friend. For this route, I wanted to check out some of the peaks in the central part of the range to get a sense of the area for a quick trip out of Vegas. The road was surprisngly good, 2WD likely able to get within a couple of miles to where I parked. Mid-clearance can make it to my start point. Turn off here: 35.65449, -115.00494 and follow that dirt road to where I parked. Better vehicles can go farther, but the road gets tight and rough, so I was content to walk. I headed southwest to the mouth of a canyon that looked interesting on a map and was actually what inspired this route. Once within the canyon, I stuck to the dry watercourse to avoid brush and only found myself having to duck to avoid desert unpleasantness. The canyon was a little less interesting than anticipated, but there were some nice rock formations high up.

Once near the head of this canyon, I encountered some very loose terrain to avoid a dryfall, and soon found myself at a saddle. Here there was an artificial water catchment for wildlife with an old dirt road leading to it, unexpected human stuff way out here. I could see Highland Peak to the southeast, and the ridgeline that would lead to Highland Juniper Peak to the south west. First I'd head up to Sleeping Indian Peak, which was protected by cliffs on my right. I dropped a few feet down and around the cliffs on pleasant terrain and located a brushy gully that I ascended to gain the south ridge of Sleeping Indian Peak. The ridge had some rock outroppings that can pretty much all be avoided on the right, though a cliff exists directly along the ridgeline that prevents easy access to the summit. I wrapped around the right side until I could locate a Class 2 option to get to the north side of the peak and then reach the summit.

I backtracked and headed south along the ridge, Highland Juniper Peak next on my list. Getting to it required some minor side-hilling just to the right of the ridge crest on burro trails to avoid staying directly along the ridge and its unnecessary high points. The southeast slope leading to the summit had a bit of brush, but wasn't too unpleasant. However, the summit of Highland Juniper Peak was significantly more work than I thought it woud be. I started by wrapping around the entirety of the peak in search of a Class 2 route, but found none. I sampled the loose Class 3/4/5 options and gave up on all attempts. I returned to the east face where I had come up to its base and located a Class 3 30-foot weakness. It was fine, though still a bit loose and blocky.

I backtracked along the side-hill I approached from between Sleeping Indian and Highland Juniper, and dropped off the east side onto the loose slope, descending to the base of Highland Peak. I crossed the dirt road that led to the previously mentioned artificial water catchment to the north, then continued up a Class 2 drainage to the north ridge of Highland Peak. Once here I got concerned about the severe-looking cliff band that seemed to block access to the summit. I approached the cliff band with the hopes of finding a weakness. I couldn't see one until I was pretty much directly next to the cliff: a hidden Class 3 ramp. This lovely feature brought me up to a Class 2 slope and then to the summit. I then backtracked to the dirt road and followed it to the artificial water catchment, taking my approach canyon back to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Sleeping Indian Peak
4840 ft
400 rise
2
Highland Juniper Peak
4880 ft
360 rise
3
Highland Peak
4920 ft
600 rise

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Walking along the road after it got too degraded, along the wash.
Walking along the road after it got too degraded, along the wash.
The wash led into the mouth of an interesting-looking canyon. There was some brush, but I avoided all of it by staying within the drainage.
The wash led into the mouth of an interesting-looking canyon. There was some brush, but I avoided all of it by staying within the drainage.
I worked my way up the canyon, able to avoid all scratches and keeping the route Class 2.
I worked my way up the canyon, able to avoid all scratches and keeping the route Class 2.
At the head of the canyon looking back down. At the bottom of this photo you might be able to see a poorly-lit loose dirt slope I used to get to the saddle where I'm standing, Class 2+.
At the head of the canyon looking back down. At the bottom of this photo you might be able to see a poorly-lit loose dirt slope I used to get to the saddle where I'm standing, Class 2+.
At the saddle, view toward the artificial water catchment (center), and Highland Peak (top right). Also visible to the left of Highland Peak is the gully I'd use to get up there later. First I wanted to go do Sleeping Indian Peak, so I headed to the right out of frame.
At the saddle, view toward the artificial water catchment (center), and Highland Peak (top right). Also visible to the left of Highland Peak is the gully I'd use to get up there later. First I wanted to go do Sleeping Indian Peak, so I headed to the right out of frame.
Dropping down a few feet and wrapping around some cliffy-looking nonsense.
Dropping down a few feet and wrapping around some cliffy-looking nonsense.
I used the brushy gully on the left to get to the south ridge of Sleeping Indian Peak.
I used the brushy gully on the left to get to the south ridge of Sleeping Indian Peak.
Looking back down into the brushy drainage, Highland Peak top right.
Looking back down into the brushy drainage, Highland Peak top right.
Along the south ridge on my way to Sleeping Indian Peak.
Along the south ridge on my way to Sleeping Indian Peak.
Looking back at the rock outcroppings on Sleeping Indian's south ridge. Mostly all were avoidable.
Looking back at the rock outcroppings on Sleeping Indian's south ridge. Mostly all were avoidable.
There was a cliff just below the summit, so I wrapped around the right side of Sleeping Indian Peak to get to its north side. You can see a weakness in the center of this photo that brought me onto a Class 2 slope.
There was a cliff just below the summit, so I wrapped around the right side of Sleeping Indian Peak to get to its north side. You can see a weakness in the center of this photo that brought me onto a Class 2 slope.
Summit of Sleeping Indian Peak, view south along the ridge I came up. Highland Peak top center. The canyon I ascended from at the start of the hike bottom left.
Summit of Sleeping Indian Peak, view south along the ridge I came up. Highland Peak top center. The canyon I ascended from at the start of the hike bottom left.
View toward Highland Juniper Peak (top right).
View toward Highland Juniper Peak (top right).
View toward the mouth of the canyon I ascended.
View toward the mouth of the canyon I ascended.
Back along the south ridge from Sleeping Indian Peak. Highland Juniper visible top right (the banded high point).
Back along the south ridge from Sleeping Indian Peak. Highland Juniper visible top right (the banded high point).
Along the ridge to Highland Juniper Peak.
Along the ridge to Highland Juniper Peak.
Keeping right of the ridge crest below a cliff, following a burro trail. Highland Juniper Peak visible right of center.
Keeping right of the ridge crest below a cliff, following a burro trail. Highland Juniper Peak visible right of center.
I was able to avoid the obstacle on the left by wrapping around its right side. Highland Juniper Peak visible top right.
I was able to avoid the obstacle on the left by wrapping around its right side. Highland Juniper Peak visible top right.
Looking back toward Sleeping Indian Peak.
Looking back toward Sleeping Indian Peak.
Highland Juniper Peak ahead. I wrapped around the whole thing and think the best route is the spot visible ahead.
Highland Juniper Peak ahead. I wrapped around the whole thing and think the best route is the spot visible ahead.
Class 3 route I took up Highland Juniper Peak.
Class 3 route I took up Highland Juniper Peak.
It's a bit loose, but not too bad.
It's a bit loose, but not too bad.
View down the crux of Highland Juniper Peak.
View down the crux of Highland Juniper Peak.
Highland Juniper Peak, view north. Sleeping Indian Peak visible top left.
Highland Juniper Peak, view north. Sleeping Indian Peak visible top left.
I backtracked along the ridge between Sleeping Indian and Highland Juniper Peaks, then dropped to the right and headed down the steep slope. Highland Peak visible ahead. I am heading for the drainage on its left.
I backtracked along the ridge between Sleeping Indian and Highland Juniper Peaks, then dropped to the right and headed down the steep slope. Highland Peak visible ahead. I am heading for the drainage on its left.
Class 2 drainage.
Class 2 drainage.
Looking back the way I came, Sleeping Indian Peak top right somewhere. The saddle where the artificial water catchment is located is on the right. I'll be returning there later to get back to my car.
Looking back the way I came, Sleeping Indian Peak top right somewhere. The saddle where the artificial water catchment is located is on the right. I'll be returning there later to get back to my car.
Scary-looking cliff band protecting Highland Peak. I approached it hoping to find an option.
Scary-looking cliff band protecting Highland Peak. I approached it hoping to find an option.
Class 3 ramp that gets above the cliff band.
Class 3 ramp that gets above the cliff band.
Class 2 to the summit of Highland Peak.
Class 2 to the summit of Highland Peak.
Highland Peak summit ridge, view south.
Highland Peak summit ridge, view south.
Highland Peak summit ridge, view north. Highland Juniper Peak visible top left.
Highland Peak summit ridge, view north. Highland Juniper Peak visible top left.

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