Malpais Flattop Mesa

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ Southern Lake Mead

Trip stats

Distance
7.6 mi
Net Gain
1,500 ft
Time
3-5 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 2
Route
Loop
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
3.3/10
Personality
3/10
Beauty
5/10
Solitude
5.7/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Malpais Flattop Mesa
    2,771′ elevation · 731′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

35.818800, -114.635010

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Jan 16, 2019 — Malpais Flattop Mesa takes up a lot of space on the east side of Lake Mead, so I assumed it would have some pretty majestic views of the Black Canyon Wilderness. This route includes following the ridgeline of the main "finger" leading to the highest point of Malpais Flattop Mesa, and descends using the northeastern wash of that finger. The ridgeline has a Class 2 move or two, as well as a rocky-floored trek, while the wash has fewer views but is easier walking. The views are interesting the whole way up because of the expansiveness of the mesa that seems to stretch forever, with tiny desert peaks off in all directions. The summit of Malpais Flattop Mesa has a panoramic view down toward the Colorado River.

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

Hire me PayPal Venmo Cash App

Photos

22 photos

  1. Starting west up a ridge of choice (center)
  2. The ridge we went up is in the center, we came out of the canyon to the right on our way back.
  4. Approaching the Class 2+ obstacle.
  5. Solid rock, easy scramble.
  7. Looking back at our progress just before leaving the ridge for the long walk on the mesa.
  8. Malpais Flattop Mesa high point ahead somewhere.
  10. Looking back along Malpais Flattop Mesa.
  12. Looking south at one of the other ridgeline fingers of Malpais Flattop Mesa.
  13. Looking back along the ridge. The notch on the left is a cool spot we checked out later on the way back.
  14. Approaching Malpais Flattop Mesa hig hpoint.
  15. Malpais Flattop Mesa overlook west toward the Colorado River.
  16. Close-up of the Colorado River.
  17. Malpais Flattop Mesa summit, looking south.
  18. Down in the drainage to the north of our ridge.
  19. Approaching the interesting-looking notch.
  20. A nice view from the notch with a crazy cliff face to the north.
  21. Continuing down the uneventful wash back to the car.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

Hire me PayPal Venmo Cash App
GPX track

Malpais Flattop Mesa GPX route and driving track

The complete GPX track is available to download, so you can load the route straight into your navigation app or device. The trip report, route info, photos and planning details stay free.

Add to cart View cart