Hike Mesquite Mountains Traverse Mesquite Wilderness BLM, CA

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The Mesquite Mountains are a small range near Sandy Valley, NV, just over the border into California. On a topo map, the peaks form an appealing traverse, so I decided to link the summits together in a loop. Given the arc they create, starting from the east made the most sense. The standard route to the range’s high point typically approaches from the south or west, but that would have made reaching the northern peaks more difficult. I headed south from Kingston Road (35.74581, -115.65988). Vehicles with some clearance can reach this point, with sharp dips being the main obstacles.

I hiked south through the desert first, intent on reaching the high point. I was eager to see the limestone cliffs that had looked dramatic on the topo map, but while they were beautiful, they weren’t particularly unique compared to other peaks in the area. Still, I enjoyed looking up at them as I approached my chosen drainage.

The wash began sandy but gradually became more bouldery. I had to bypass a tough dryfall on the right, but otherwise, none of the movements exceeded Class 2/3. The drainage led me to a wide slope on the peak’s southeast shoulder, and from there, I made my way to the ridgeline. I mostly stuck to the crest, which was steep but not particularly loose. Approaching the summit block from this direction required a Class 3 move.

Next, I traversed over to Peak 5114, descending from the Mesquite Mountains High Point via a mostly tame slope. A series of fun, short cliff bands provided some enjoyable Class 3 scrambling on the way up to Peak 5114. The following mile or so over Peak 5003, up to Nooner Mountain (a short detour), and down to the base of Sandy Valley Peak was unremarkable but made for a pleasant walk through mostly open desert, with only some lightly rocky terrain.

I found a sheep trail that led partway up Sandy Valley Peak, then followed some Class 2 terrain to the ridgeline, which included light scrambling on darker-colored rock, followed by a short walk to the high point on easy terrain.

My final summit was Peak 4114, located to the east. The east face of Sandy Valley Peak was a sheer drop, so I chose to descend to the north and look for a weakness. Fortunately, after avoiding an initial cliff band, I was able to make it beneath the face without much hassle. I descended on colorful dirt near some interesting wavy rock formations to the base of Peak 4114. Along the way, there were a couple of Class 3 moves to zigzag through small cliffs, though these could likely be avoided by dropping farther south rather than staying on the crest.

The hike along the western crest of Peak 4114 to its summit was mostly straightforward, offering a nice vantage point of the traverse I’d just completed. Finally, I descended east toward the desert floor via a Class 2 route, which was slightly slower-moving due to various small obstacles and a short, steep hardpan slope.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Mesquite Mountains High Point

5167 ft

1342 rise

Peak 5114

5114 ft

341 rise

Peak 5003

5003 ft

279 rise

Nooner Mountain

4895 ft

203 rise

Sandy Valley Peak

4806 ft

623 rise

Peak 4114

4114 ft

341 rise

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Headed through the desert to the base of the Mesquite Mountains High Point.

My drainage choice on the northeast side of the peak to ascend.

A section of narrows.

There were a couple of splits in the canyon.

View back from within some narrows.

Ascending a slope to the crest above, more bouldery.

View back as I near the crest.

Following the ridgeline to the Mesquite Mountains High Point.

View back down along the ridgeline.

Mesquite Mountains High Point false summit seen ahead.

True summit just ahead. Kingston Peak seen in the distance on the left.

Class 3 move to gain the summit.

Onward from Mesquite Mountains High Point to Peak 5114.

Some fun scrambling up to Peak 5114.

A Class 3 move over a small cliff band.

Peak 5114.

Headed down Peak 5114, Peak 5003 next.

Peak 5003 ahead.

View back toward Peak 5114 and Mesquite Mountains High Point.

Nooner Mountain on the left.

Onward from Nooner Mountain, down to Sandy Valley Peak (seen center).

Base of Sandy Valley Peak.

View back toward Nooner Mountain as I head up Sandy Valley Peak.

Class 2 along the ridgeline.

Sandy Valley Peak seen left, Peak 4114 on the right.

View back toward the traverse I just did.

On my way down the north side of Sandy Valley Peak, view back toward the summit and its cliffy east face.

Colorful dirt descent. Peak 4114 center.

Looking back up at the descent and a cool wavy formation.

Base of Peak 4114, view back toward Sandy Valley Peak. In the center you can see little cliff band obstacles that added some Class 2/3 scrambling on the way down.

Ascending to Peak 4114.

Minor obstacles, nothing more than Class 2.

Peak 4114, view back toward Sandy Valley Peak.

Descending the east ridge of Peak 4114, Class 2.

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!