Malpais Flattop Mesa in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Hike Malpais Flattop Mesa Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Class 2 7.6 miles 1500 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Jan 16, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Malpais Flattop Mesa GPX Track

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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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Malpais Flattop Mesa
2771 ft
731 rise

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

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!