Northern Eldorado Wilderness in Eldorado Mountains BLM, NV

Hike Northern Eldorado Wilderness Eldorado Mountains BLM, NV

Class 2 7.1 miles 2900 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jan 3, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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There is an Eldorado Wilderness in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but this hike is within the northern end of the BLM-managed Eldorado Wilderness, just next door. I wanted to approach the area from a different direction rather than from the standard trailhead for the Eldorado Wilderness, so I took my car along a decent dirt road leading to the northern end of the region. Mid-clearance required, and the sand gets a little deep sometimes, so 4WD recommended.

I started south through a wash and headed first to Peak 3400, a straightforward Class 2 slope on boulders. It might be a little easier to approach this peak by following the wash to its head and heading east to the summit, but I liked being on the ridgeline for longer. I used this recommended ascent route as my descent. The views toward the Eldorado Wilderness from up here were really wonderful. I then dropped down to the head of what seems to be labeled Oak Creek Canyon (Class 2) and followed it down to its mouth. It was rocky, but nothing exceeding Class 2. I headed east within Lonesome Wash in order to wrap around the north end of Peak 3510, and then continued wrapping around its base until I was within the drainage between Peak 3510 and Peak 3320. I continued to the saddle between these two peaks, first heading to Peak 3320. Heading directly to it would result in Class 3, but I did a light ascending traverse below the rumbly-looking cliffs up to the ridgeline and kept it Class 2. Once on the ridge I headed south to the summit, where there were more lovely views.

I headed back to the saddle with Peak 3510 and started up its east ridge, encountering a couple of Class 2+ obstacles along the way. Toward the summit, the route stayed Class 2, but did get a little airy-feeling. The large boulders were easy to scramble on and the summit here was nice as well. I recommend returning the way you came. However, I marked my silly descent route off Peak 3510's west side in purple on the attached map. It involves loose Class 2+, followed by awful scree (the kind that can't be "scree'd", because the pieces are slightly too big) that seemed to want to form rockslides at every move.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 3400
3400 ft
400 rise
2
Peak 3320
3320 ft
400 rise
3
Peak 3510
3510 ft
590 rise

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Starting from my car, I headed into the wash in the center. I left the wash shortly after to continue yo Peak 3400, the ridge of which is visible top left.
Starting from my car, I headed into the wash in the center. I left the wash shortly after to continue yo Peak 3400, the ridge of which is visible top left.
On the ridgeline leading to Peak 3400.
On the ridgeline leading to Peak 3400.
Peak 3400 summit, view toward Peak 3320 (far left) and Peak 3510 (left of center). Mount Stocker visible distant center.
Peak 3400 summit, view toward Peak 3320 (far left) and Peak 3510 (left of center). Mount Stocker visible distant center.
Looking back up at Peak 3400 after descending.
Looking back up at Peak 3400 after descending.
At the head of Oak Creek Canyon. Peak 3510 visible center.
At the head of Oak Creek Canyon. Peak 3510 visible center.
Looking back up after dropping into the canyon.
Looking back up after dropping into the canyon.
Class 2 canyon.
Class 2 canyon.
Looking back at the mouth of the canyon.
Looking back at the mouth of the canyon.
I wrapped to the left around Peak 3510, ahead. Lonesome Wash visible center.
I wrapped to the left around Peak 3510, ahead. Lonesome Wash visible center.
Within Lonesome Wash.
Within Lonesome Wash.
I headed up the drainage that separates Peak 3510 from Peak 3320.
I headed up the drainage that separates Peak 3510 from Peak 3320.
Looking back (Peak 3400 top left).
Looking back (Peak 3400 top left).
Continuing up the drainage.
Continuing up the drainage.
Looking back just before the saddle.
Looking back just before the saddle.
At the saddle, headed to Peak 3320 first.
At the saddle, headed to Peak 3320 first.
Looking back toward the saddle as I ascend Peak 3320. Peak 3510 visible right of center.
Looking back toward the saddle as I ascend Peak 3320. Peak 3510 visible right of center.
Class 2 ascending traverse.
Class 2 ascending traverse.
Ridgeline to the summit of Peak 3320.
Ridgeline to the summit of Peak 3320.
View north toward Peak 3400.
View north toward Peak 3400.
Back at the saddle, now heading to Peak 3510.
Back at the saddle, now heading to Peak 3510.
View back as I ascent the ridge, Peak 3320 top right.
View back as I ascent the ridge, Peak 3320 top right.
Class 2 along the ridgeline. Keep left and stay to the base of the headwall visible ahead.
Class 2 along the ridgeline. Keep left and stay to the base of the headwall visible ahead.
Looking down some Class 2/2+ bouldery stuff just below the summit.
Looking down some Class 2/2+ bouldery stuff just below the summit.
Peak 3510 summit, view north toward Peak 3400. The drainage I ascended visible on the right.
Peak 3510 summit, view north toward Peak 3400. The drainage I ascended visible on the right.
I DON'T recommend dropping off the west side of Peak 3510 - just go back. However, if you do, it's loose Class 2.
I DON'T recommend dropping off the west side of Peak 3510 - just go back. However, if you do, it's loose Class 2.
And then it's a loose scree slope, quite unpleasant.
And then it's a loose scree slope, quite unpleasant.
Looking back up the loose scree slope. Just go back the way you came instead.
Looking back up the loose scree slope. Just go back the way you came instead.

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