Murphys, Polytick, Anniversary Narrows Peaks in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Murphys, Polytick, Anniversary Narrows Peaks Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 8.9 miles 3500 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Dec 18, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Murphys, Polytick, Anniversary Narrows Peaks GPX Track

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Lake Mead's northern shore has some absolutely gorgeous peaks, and this loop introduces some of the best colors and rock variety I've experienced out here. The peaks on this hike surround a region known as the Bowl of Fire, a sandstone wonderland that is pretty popular. However, this is only the western portion of Bowl of Fire, and you can check out a loop of the more expansive northern Bowl of Fire here. You can get a lot of enjoyment out of just hiking around the lower sandstone delights, but this route tacks on Murphys Peak, Polytick Peak, Anniversary Narrows Peak (west and east), and Peak 2474. I'd hiked most of this loop years ago (February 2019), but wanted to return with Petey to explore portions of the area that I didn't get to back then, hence this updated trip report.

We set out along the standard Bowl of Fire Trail. About a half mile in we passed some trucks along a lesser dirt road, driven here to cut off about a mile round-trip. The trail continued through the desert and down into a major drainage at the southern end of the Bowl of Fire. It was here we decided to first head up to Murphys Peak, a minor summit just to the west. We took a Class 2 gully leading to its southern ridgeline, where fun scrambling led to the summit. A couple of Class 3 moves on solid rock kept the ridgeline interesting. The views toward the surrounding Bowl of Fire below were excellent and we could trace our route to come for all the remaining peaks.

Our next summit would be Polytick Peak to the west, but Murphys Peak has extremely steep faces on all other sides except the way we came up, so we backtracked down the eastern gully and wrapped around to Murphys Peak's northern slopes rather than risk a more direct and dangerous descent. After wrapping around the slopes, we noted significant cliffs formed by sandstone formations to the north. It's a fun time locating a viable weakness to get through the cliffs. We had to do this again later on our way back along the loop in a different portion of the cliff complex. For the ascent we took a wash leading up a slope and onto the eastern ridge of Polytick Peak. With some fun zig-zagging around various colorful sandstone features, we made our way to the final Class 2 slope below the summit of Polytick Peak. The peak looks like a lumpy orange blob with a massive sheet of concrete plopped on top. A short Class 3 dihedral led up this concrete-looking feature to gain the summit.

Next up was Anniversary Narrows Peak to the north, a ridgeline comprised of two summits. The peak was named after the popular nearby slot canyon Anniversary Narrows, the head of which can be seen from the peak's summit. We'd first go for the western summit. After a loose Class 2 descent on the north side of Polytick Peak, we hiked along easier terrain to the base of a gully that looked like it might lead to the summit. However, the ridgeline above was slanted to the point where it formed a sheer cliff. Despite this visual cue that the route we intened might not go, we ascended the gully to its head where we were very much cliffed-out. Instead we located a Class 2+ weakness (map updated to reflect the proper route) that led up to the slanted fault, leaving the gully well before it reached the ridgeline. This weakness led to some Class 3 scrambling on very fun, extremely solid slabs of rock and ultimately the summit ridge of Anniversary Narrows Peak West. After a short ridge walk, Class 2+ got us to the summit. Petey had just gotten back from a bodybuilding convention, so like always we complained (jokingly, I think, though maybe not, actually probably not) about all this cardio wrecking our gym gains. The struggle is real.

Anniversary Narrows Peak (the eastern one) was the fourth peak on our agenda. We backtracked to the gully we ascended initially and then rather than make the same mistake as before, decided to just ascend directly out of the gully rather than continue to its head. Fun Class 2/3 boulder-hopping got us out of the gully and up to the ridgeline. A couple of Class 3 sections on solid rock with no exposure led along the ridge to the summit. The register on this peak is overflowing, whereas the previous three peaks get basically no attention. I wonder why this one is a destination hike and how it became as such?

We descended the southern Class 2 slope of Anniversary Narrows Peak, which seems to be the standard route for reaching the peak since there were a few scatter cairns marking the way, to the top of the previously mentioned sandstone cliffs. Now we'd have to find a descent back into the Bowl of Fire. After navigating around some more gorgeous sandstone features, we located a wide passageway that led north and safely down through the cliffs using a sandy slope. From here we followed a major wash as it wrapped through the Bowl of Fire. This wash ultimately would lead back to where we'd left it earlier in the day for Murphys Peak, but first we wanted to take a quick jaunt up to Peak 2474.

Peak 2474's western ridge is a pleasant Class 2/2+ slope with sticky limestone, and follows a similar vibe to Polytick Peak, a sandstone blob topped with a concrete layer. The sunset views toward both the northern and western Bowl of Fire sprawls were delightful.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Murphys Peak
2697 ft
565 rise
2
Polytick Peak
2661 ft
301 rise
3
Anniversary Narrows Peak West
3077 ft
255 rise
4
Anniversary Narrows Peak
3074 ft
298 rise
5
Peak 2474
2474 ft
309 rise

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After setting out along the Bowl of Fire Trail. You can see the southern end of the Bowl of Fire visible in the center. Murphys Peak on the left, Polytick hidden behind it on the left, and Anniversary Narrows Peak in the center. Peak 2474 is seen on the right.
After setting out along the Bowl of Fire Trail. You can see the southern end of the Bowl of Fire visible in the center. Murphys Peak on the left, Polytick hidden behind it on the left, and Anniversary Narrows Peak in the center. Peak 2474 is seen on the right.
Headed up the gully on the east side of Murphys Peak. Murphys Peak seen top right.
Headed up the gully on the east side of Murphys Peak. Murphys Peak seen top right.
View back along the fun scramble up Murphys Peak.
View back along the fun scramble up Murphys Peak.
Higher up on some fun Class 2/3.
Higher up on some fun Class 2/3.
Murpyhs Peak, a scramble away. If you stay on the ridgeline, you get some fun scrambling on solid limestone. You can keep it a little easier by staying just right of the ridge.
Murpyhs Peak, a scramble away. If you stay on the ridgeline, you get some fun scrambling on solid limestone. You can keep it a little easier by staying just right of the ridge.
Murphys Peak summit looking west toward Polytick Peak (the crazy-colored one), and Anniversary Narrows Peak (top right).
Murphys Peak summit looking west toward Polytick Peak (the crazy-colored one), and Anniversary Narrows Peak (top right).
Murphys Peak summit looking north toward western Bowl of Fire. You can see the tip of Anniversary Narrows Peak on the top left.
Murphys Peak summit looking north toward western Bowl of Fire. You can see the tip of Anniversary Narrows Peak on the top left.
Northern Bowl of Fire in the distance. Peak 2474 seen on the right.
Northern Bowl of Fire in the distance. Peak 2474 seen on the right.
After descending Murphys Peak, we wrapped to its norther side and headed through an interesting-looking red rock canyon leading to the east ridge of Polytick Peak. We had to navigate through the sandstone cliffy landscape.
After descending Murphys Peak, we wrapped to its norther side and headed through an interesting-looking red rock canyon leading to the east ridge of Polytick Peak. We had to navigate through the sandstone cliffy landscape.
View back as we start up to Polytick Peak.
View back as we start up to Polytick Peak.
A weakness ahead. Lots of red rock sandstone on the way to Polytick Peak.
A weakness ahead. Lots of red rock sandstone on the way to Polytick Peak.
Polytick Peak poking out on the left. Anniversary Narrows Peak seen top right.
Polytick Peak poking out on the left. Anniversary Narrows Peak seen top right.
Along the convoluted route to Polytick Peak, looking back toward Murphys Peak.
Along the convoluted route to Polytick Peak, looking back toward Murphys Peak.
Polytick Peak seen from its east ridge. After some Class 2 up the slope, we reached the summit block.
Polytick Peak seen from its east ridge. After some Class 2 up the slope, we reached the summit block.
Class 3 move to gain the summit.
Class 3 move to gain the summit.
Close-up of the scramble.
Close-up of the scramble.
Polytick Peak summit, looking east. Murphys Peak visible on the right.
Polytick Peak summit, looking east. Murphys Peak visible on the right.
Headed down from Polytick, view toward Anniversary Narrows Peak. The western peak (left) is first.
Headed down from Polytick, view toward Anniversary Narrows Peak. The western peak (left) is first.
View back at the northern slope of Polytick Peak.
View back at the northern slope of Polytick Peak.
At the base of Anniversary Narrows Peak West. We headed up the gully on the right. As you can see, there's a substantial cliff right of center that we found a weakness to get through.
At the base of Anniversary Narrows Peak West. We headed up the gully on the right. As you can see, there's a substantial cliff right of center that we found a weakness to get through.
Class 2 initially.
Class 2 initially.
View back.
View back.
Class 2+ weakness to overcome the cliff.
Class 2+ weakness to overcome the cliff.
View back down the Class 2+.
View back down the Class 2+.
Heading up the awesome Class 3 slabs.
Heading up the awesome Class 3 slabs.
View back down the slabs.
View back down the slabs.
Ridgeline to Anniversary Narrows Peak West.
Ridgeline to Anniversary Narrows Peak West.
Class 2+ to gain the summit.
Class 2+ to gain the summit.
Anniversary Narrows Peak West summit, view back along the ridge.
Anniversary Narrows Peak West summit, view back along the ridge.
View toward Endless Peak from the Anniversary Narrows Peak West summit.
View toward Endless Peak from the Anniversary Narrows Peak West summit.
View toward the Muddy Mountains.
View toward the Muddy Mountains.
After returning to the gully, we started up this blocky Class 2/3 boulder-hopping fun to gain Anniversary Narrows Peak.
After returning to the gully, we started up this blocky Class 2/3 boulder-hopping fun to gain Anniversary Narrows Peak.
View back toward Anniversary Narrows Peak West. You can see the weakness we used just above Petey's head.
View back toward Anniversary Narrows Peak West. You can see the weakness we used just above Petey's head.
Along the ridgeline to Anniversary Narrows Peak.
Along the ridgeline to Anniversary Narrows Peak.
Some Class 3 obstacles along the way.
Some Class 3 obstacles along the way.
View back along the ridgeline just below the summit. Anniversary Narrows is seen on the right.
View back along the ridgeline just below the summit. Anniversary Narrows is seen on the right.
Anniversary Narrows Peak summit looking northeast toward the Muddy Mountains.
Anniversary Narrows Peak summit looking northeast toward the Muddy Mountains.
Anniversary Narrows Peak summit looking south toward Murphys Peak and Bowl of Fire.
Anniversary Narrows Peak summit looking south toward Murphys Peak and Bowl of Fire.
View back toward Anniversary Narrows Peak on the way down.
View back toward Anniversary Narrows Peak on the way down.
On the way down, ample sandstone cliffs seen below.
On the way down, ample sandstone cliffs seen below.
Navigating some pretty sandstone.
Navigating some pretty sandstone.
View back up at the Anniversary Narrows Peak ridgeline.
View back up at the Anniversary Narrows Peak ridgeline.
Image 42 from gallery
A nice sloped passageway we used to get down from the higher ground and into Bowl of Fire.
A nice sloped passageway we used to get down from the higher ground and into Bowl of Fire.
View back at the cliffs we just descended from.
View back at the cliffs we just descended from.
Heading through the Bowl of Fire.
Heading through the Bowl of Fire.
Interesting sandstone formations within Bowl of Fire.
Interesting sandstone formations within Bowl of Fire.
We took a quick spur route to head up to Peak 2474. View back as we start up the peak.
We took a quick spur route to head up to Peak 2474. View back as we start up the peak.
Class 2 up the ridgeline.
Class 2 up the ridgeline.
Bad lighting, but you get the gist. It's just a rocky ridgeline with some nice views.
Bad lighting, but you get the gist. It's just a rocky ridgeline with some nice views.
Peak 2474 seen ahead.
Peak 2474 seen ahead.
View back along the ridgeline.
View back along the ridgeline.
Approaching the summit.
Approaching the summit.
View back along the ridgeline as we near the summit.
View back along the ridgeline as we near the summit.
Peak 2474 summit, view toward the Fire Cliffs of Bowl of Fire north.
Peak 2474 summit, view toward the Fire Cliffs of Bowl of Fire north.

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