McCullough Mountain in McCullough Mountains BLM, NV

Hike McCullough Mountain McCullough Mountains BLM, NV

Class 2 7.2 miles 2200 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Mar 4, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

McCullough Mountain GPX Track

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McCullough Mountain is a forgettable higher elevation desert peak south of Las Vegas. There seems to be two main approaches, a very bad road approach from the west, and a much more reasonable dirt road from the southeast, the route which I took. There are a few slightly rutted/rocky spots along this approach, but likely any car could make it if driving slowly.

The end of the road features an old wooden something-or-other likely meant for ranchers (I have no idea). I started a little before the end of the road to avoid additional bushwhacking to get into a major wash to the north. Once in this wash, I followed it to its head, keeping right at a major fork about 2/3 of the way up. The wash ended by turning into a slope, which I followed to a ridge. I could see McCullough Mountain in the distance from this ridge, but I first had to drop down to the north into another wash. You might be able to follow the ridgeline, but it looked a bit brushy for my taste.

I encountered a couple of Class 2 sections within the second wash, but it was easy to follow. From near the head of the wash, I started north up a steep slope to gain the summit ridge of McCullough Mountain. The views were okay. Overall this was a nice change in desert scenery, but not a favorite by any measure.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
McCullough Mountain
7026 ft
2170 rise

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McCullough Mountain trailhead.
McCullough Mountain trailhead.
Starting up the major wash to the north of the trailhead.
Starting up the major wash to the north of the trailhead.
Pleasant wash walking for a while.
Pleasant wash walking for a while.
Some minor Class 2.
Some minor Class 2.
The wash faded into a slope. This is a shot looking back into the the wash as I start ascending the slope.
The wash faded into a slope. This is a shot looking back into the the wash as I start ascending the slope.
At the top of the slope, looking into the wash again.
At the top of the slope, looking into the wash again.
At the top of the slope, looking toward McCullough Mountain. I first would have to drop into a second wash, visible in the center of this photo. I could have maybe kept along the ridge on the right, but it looked brushy.
At the top of the slope, looking toward McCullough Mountain. I first would have to drop into a second wash, visible in the center of this photo. I could have maybe kept along the ridge on the right, but it looked brushy.
Entering the second wash.
Entering the second wash.
Second wash was pretty.
Second wash was pretty.
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Some Class 2 within the second wash.
Some Class 2 within the second wash.
Ascending the final slope to the summit ridge, above.
Ascending the final slope to the summit ridge, above.
Looking back into the second wash as I ascend to the summit ridge.
Looking back into the second wash as I ascend to the summit ridge.
McCullough Mountain summit, view back toward the second wash (right).
McCullough Mountain summit, view back toward the second wash (right).
McCullough Mountain summit, view west.
McCullough Mountain summit, view west.
McCullough Mountain summit.
McCullough Mountain 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!