Magic Mountain and Crabby Appleton Peak in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Hike Magic Mountain and Crabby Appleton Peak Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV

Class 3 3.4 miles 1900 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Apr 2, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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On the east ridge of Juniper Peak, there are three baby peaks: Magic Mountain, Crabby Appleton Peak (aka Ramp Peak), and Rose Tower. They're very close in proximity, but are each quite different. Follow the Pine Creek Trail for a while before turning onto the Fire Ecology Trail and work your way on the terribly maintaned trail system in the area, where social trails zig-zag and end all over the place. I found a route that worked, bringing me to the base of Magic Mountain. A cairn marked a social trail leading up the southeast gully beneath the peak. The steep gully had Class 2 boulders and workarounds leading to the Magic Mountain and Crabby Appleton Peak saddle. I bagged Crabby Appleton first, a gorgeous ramp leading up to an exposed ledge on its north side that wraps around to the summit. Magic Mountain was next, a social trail leading on loose rock to a Class 3+/4 move on the summit block. I then went over to Rose Tower, where I had just seen climbers top out after finishing a technical route. Work around the south side for a bit before pulling a Class 2+ move and gaining the summit of this little peaklet.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Crabby Appleton Peak (Ramp Peak)
5413 ft
n/a rise
2
Magic Mountain
5360 ft
120 rise
3
Rose Tower
5020 ft
n/a rise

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Juniper Peak visible in the center. Magic Mountain is the lower peak in front of it.
Juniper Peak visible in the center. Magic Mountain is the lower peak in front of it.
Working on poorly-laid social trails to the base of Magic Mountain.
Working on poorly-laid social trails to the base of Magic Mountain.
Approaching the steep gully, center.
Approaching the steep gully, center.
Heading up the gully, center.
Heading up the gully, center.
Image 4 from gallery
Bighorned sheep along the way!
Bighorned sheep along the way!
Looking down the steep gully.
Looking down the steep gully.
Image 7 from gallery
At the saddle of Magic Mountain and Crappy Appleton Peak, looking at Rose Tower.
At the saddle of Magic Mountain and Crappy Appleton Peak, looking at Rose Tower.
Heading up the ramp to Crabby Appleton Peak, gorgeous towers hovering above. There's a fixed line to aid in a Class 3 traverse section on the left of the ramp, not pictured.
Heading up the ramp to Crabby Appleton Peak, gorgeous towers hovering above. There's a fixed line to aid in a Class 3 traverse section on the left of the ramp, not pictured.
Approaching the exposed ledge on the right.
Approaching the exposed ledge on the right.
On the exposed ledge.
On the exposed ledge.
Crabby Appleton Peak summit, looking toward Rose Tower (center), and Magic Mountain (left).
Crabby Appleton Peak summit, looking toward Rose Tower (center), and Magic Mountain (left).
Crabby Appleton Peak summit, view southwest toward impressive towers.
Crabby Appleton Peak summit, view southwest toward impressive towers.
Back at the saddle, now heading up Magic Mountain.
Back at the saddle, now heading up Magic Mountain.
Along the loose route, looking back toward Crabby Appleton Peak.
Along the loose route, looking back toward Crabby Appleton Peak.
Some Class 2/3 stuff to the summit.
Some Class 2/3 stuff to the summit.
Magic Mountain summit block on the left.
Magic Mountain summit block on the left.
Juniper Peak hidden on the right by beautiful sandstone towers, Rainbow Mountain on the top left.
Juniper Peak hidden on the right by beautiful sandstone towers, Rainbow Mountain on the top left.
Magic Mountain summit, looking east.
Magic Mountain summit, looking east.
Magic Mountain summit, looking down on Rose Tower.
Magic Mountain summit, looking down on Rose Tower.
Magic Mountain summit, looking at Crabby Appleton Peak and its ramp leading up.
Magic Mountain summit, looking at Crabby Appleton Peak and its ramp leading up.
Onward to Rose Tower. Head up to the ridge, and then drop to the right.
Onward to Rose Tower. Head up to the ridge, and then drop to the right.
On the right side of Rose Tower heading up the slab to the summit.
On the right side of Rose Tower heading up the slab to the summit.
Rose Tower summit, looking toward Crabby Appleton Peak.
Rose Tower summit, looking toward Crabby Appleton Peak.

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!