Fire Cliffs High Point and Northshore Peaklets in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Fire Cliffs High Point and Northshore Peaklets Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 10.6 miles 2700 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Nov 28, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Fire Cliffs High Point and Northshore Peaklets GPX Track

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This nice loop visits some lesser-visited peaklets in Lake Mead's northshore area before heading out to the Fire Cliffs High Point and east side of the Bowl of Fire. I've been to Bowl of Fire many times, but somehow managed to avoid getting the high point of the bright red landscape. Additionally, a couple of days ago was my 30th birthday, where I summitted 30 peaks as a goal. Included in that endeavor were a few of the peaks in this loop as little out-and-backs, but I wanted to contrive a loop to hike them in a more creative way. Hence this silly, fun outing. A highlight was that Yossi, a friend who I've been talking to forever but haven't met in person, made his way out to Vegas and we were thrilled to finally get a hike going. I was impressed with this flatlander's hiking and flexibility with route-finding and planning and we had a great, giggly time. More soon, friend!

Our first objective was Panko Peak, which Yossi named and I quite enjoyed. Sources online have this peak mislabeled, claiming they "took the trail" (there's definitely no trail), and I don't actually know who or how many people have gotten to its summit. We found no summit cairn, but surely someone has been here in the past. Anyway, we started out from the Northshore Parking Lot and headed west into a drainage that paralleled Northshore Road. We continued choosing drainages to ascend, climbed up a couple of Class 3 obstacles, and found ourselves at the base of Panko Peak's east slope. After trying a couple of horrible route ideas, we located a pleasant slickrock funnel at a saddle on the right that led to higher ground, followed by some Class 2+ and a nice ridgeline to the summit. I believe the first hump is the high point. The one farther along the ridge required some sketchy Class 3/4 with exposure and ultimately clocked lower than the first. So I'd say don't even go for it. Once we backtracked and descended the funnel, we headed north from the saddle down into a cozy canyon. Class 2 boulder-hopping was the only obstacle and we soon made it into a drainage system and bisected a dirt road many use to access the area.

Once on the dirt road, we headed north and located a drainage on the left we would use to access Peak 2421. Minor brush led to big, sticky, limestone boulders as we ascended the peak's east slopes. We ended up at the base of its slabby summit ridge, and continued on the easier-looking Class 2 slabs to the summit. We then headed north along Peak 2421's ridge toward Peak 2380. The views along this ridge were impressive, lots of peaklets visible in all directions and Bowl of Fire a lovely sight in the distance. The slopes are riddled with cryptobiotic soil, so please be careful not to step on it. Class 2 boulders led to a concrete-looking Class 2+ slab. The slab led to an interesting Class 3 knife-edge. You can likely avoid the slab and knife-edge by approaching the peak from the north and making a Class 3/4 move, but the fun of this peak is the route I described.

We backtracked to the base of Peak 2380 and began the long walk to the north toward the Fire Cliffs. Our goal was to ascend major drainage/canyon to the north and hopefully it would lead to the higher ground where the Bowl of Fire resides. From there we'd be able to get to Fire Cliffs High Point. Our route to the the mouth of this drainage/canyon required some drainage navigating and minor obstacles, and somehow went by faster than we thought it would. The canyon started off great, lots of Class 2/3 boulder-hopping obstacles nestled between the tall sandstone walls. A measly couple hundred feet from the head of the canyon we encountered an impassable dryfall. We backtracked and looked for another way out of the canyon on its west side, fortunately locating one – not all was lost! This option required a short, stiff Class 3 move to get over a big boulder, and then we found ourselves in a sandy wash in the heart of the Fire Cliffs. Lots of mess-ups later and we found a viable route to higher ground. I've removed all the nonsense from my attached map. The route out of the sandy wash led to the left through a crack, over a chockstone, and then to easy ground. We did it, but we also found a cairn so clearly we weren't the first. A bit of fun navigating through the colorful washes and rock formations led through a big drainage and up to the flat area surrounding Fire Cliffs High Point. We weren't sure which of the numerous pinnacles were the high point, but Paula Raimondi (a local legend) had the answer for us. The route required a Class 3 move up a crack, a wide and somewhat exposed ledge, and then a Class 3 move on a rounded sandstone slab. the views were nice, but I recommend heading through a tight slot to the left of the Fire Hills High Point to get to a gorgous balcony on the rim of the Fire Cliffs to get the best view.

From the Fire Cliffs, we headed through the Bowl of Fire, avoiding most of its maze-like featured by staying farther north and continued along the standard route used to access Bowl of Fire. This led us to a major drainage that went south, where we'd continue up to the left to a peak I called Lego Peak. Its large limestone blocks were the inspiration, and I didn't want to just give it a numbered name, so sue me. The route we took navigated around many of these boulders and ended with a Class 2+ dihedral move on sharp concrete-like rock. We continued east along the slopes and found ourselves on easy slopes/ridges leading to the Northshore Hill Trail. We followed the trail back to the car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Panko Peak
2595 ft
290 rise
2
Peak 2421
2421 ft
288 rise
3
Peak 2380
2380 ft
160 rise
4
Fire Cliffs High Point
2476 ft
100 rise
5
Lego Peak
2480 ft
200 rise

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Dropping into the drainage that parallels Northshore Road. Panko Peak visible right of center.
Dropping into the drainage that parallels Northshore Road. Panko Peak visible right of center.
Navigating the drainages until we got to the base of Panko Peak. There were some Class 2/3 obstacles to get through the drainages.
Navigating the drainages until we got to the base of Panko Peak. There were some Class 2/3 obstacles to get through the drainages.
At the base of Panko Peak. The route we took heads to the right to the notch visible top right in this photo.
At the base of Panko Peak. The route we took heads to the right to the notch visible top right in this photo.
I stepped back to get a shot of the route. Visible center is the saddle we ascended to from the previous photo. The opening on the left is the "funnel" feature that we would use. You can see the mellow slope above and to the right of the "funnel" that would get us to the summit ridge.
I stepped back to get a shot of the route. Visible center is the saddle we ascended to from the previous photo. The opening on the left is the "funnel" feature that we would use. You can see the mellow slope above and to the right of the "funnel" that would get us to the summit ridge.
Yossi entering the funnel.
Yossi entering the funnel.
The funnel.
The funnel.
Class 2/3 up the slope on fun rock.
Class 2/3 up the slope on fun rock.
Summit ridge, Panko Peak visible on the right.
Summit ridge, Panko Peak visible on the right.
Back at the saddle after the "funnel". Our descent route heads to the north through the canyon visible on the right in this photo.
Back at the saddle after the "funnel". Our descent route heads to the north through the canyon visible on the right in this photo.
Looking back up the canyon. It actually somehow worked out!
Looking back up the canyon. It actually somehow worked out!
Following a wash after descending from Panko Peak.
Following a wash after descending from Panko Peak.
We bisected a dirt road.
We bisected a dirt road.
And then headed up to Peak 2421 via a minor drainage. You can see the blocky rock slope ahead and the slabs guarding the summit in the center.
And then headed up to Peak 2421 via a minor drainage. You can see the blocky rock slope ahead and the slabs guarding the summit in the center.
Blocky Class 2 stuff.
Blocky Class 2 stuff.
At the base of the slabs. We followed them to the left until we could locate a Class 2 option to the summit.
At the base of the slabs. We followed them to the left until we could locate a Class 2 option to the summit.
Class 2 slab.
Class 2 slab.
Peak 2421 summit, view toward Panko Peak. You can see the fun canyon we descended from in the center.
Peak 2421 summit, view toward Panko Peak. You can see the fun canyon we descended from in the center.
Peak 2421, view north. Peak 2380 on the right, Fire Cliffs left, Muddy Mountains top left.
Peak 2421, view north. Peak 2380 on the right, Fire Cliffs left, Muddy Mountains top left.
Base of Peak 2380. We ascended to the boulders on the left of the red spot toward the summit, where we located a slab.
Base of Peak 2380. We ascended to the boulders on the left of the red spot toward the summit, where we located a slab.
Class 2 slab.
Class 2 slab.
Looking down at Yossi ascending the slab.
Looking down at Yossi ascending the slab.
At the top of the slab, a fun little knife-edge. The slab we ascended is visible bottom left.
At the top of the slab, a fun little knife-edge. The slab we ascended is visible bottom left.
Looking back at the knife-edge from Peak 2380's summit.
Looking back at the knife-edge from Peak 2380's summit.
Yossi on the knife edge.
Yossi on the knife edge.
Back at the base of Peak 2380 (I recommend not trying to go down another way - the southwest slope is the least riddled with cryptobiotic soil and drainages), looking toward the open desert toward the Fire Cliffs. We headed to the canyon right of center.
Back at the base of Peak 2380 (I recommend not trying to go down another way - the southwest slope is the least riddled with cryptobiotic soil and drainages), looking toward the open desert toward the Fire Cliffs. We headed to the canyon right of center.
Heading to the canyon right of center.
Heading to the canyon right of center.
Some obstacles within some minor drainages as we near the mouth of the canyon.
Some obstacles within some minor drainages as we near the mouth of the canyon.
Entering the mouth of the canyon.
Entering the mouth of the canyon.
Looking back as we play on Class 2/3 boulder-hopping obstacles.
Looking back as we play on Class 2/3 boulder-hopping obstacles.
Farther up the canyon.
Farther up the canyon.
Image 30 from gallery
Looking back as we get higher.
Looking back as we get higher.
Right leads further up the canyon, where we were stopped by a dryfall. Left is the Class 3 option we used to exit the canyon. Yossi is over there looking at a viable scramble.
Right leads further up the canyon, where we were stopped by a dryfall. Left is the Class 3 option we used to exit the canyon. Yossi is over there looking at a viable scramble.
Yossi on the stiff Class 3 move out of the canyon.
Yossi on the stiff Class 3 move out of the canyon.
Just after the Class 3 move, we headed through a sandy wash into the heart of the Fire Cliffs. Around the bend ahead, we stayed left.
Just after the Class 3 move, we headed through a sandy wash into the heart of the Fire Cliffs. Around the bend ahead, we stayed left.
On the left, we encountered the crack on the left. We headed in and hopped over the boulder at its end.
On the left, we encountered the crack on the left. We headed in and hopped over the boulder at its end.
We emerged from the crack on the right and continued up.
We emerged from the crack on the right and continued up.
We made it into the Bowl of Fire!
We made it into the Bowl of Fire!
Navigating fun, colorful rocks and washes.
Navigating fun, colorful rocks and washes.
Image 39 from gallery
Looking back as we near the base of Fire Cliffs High Point. Southgate Peak visible top left, Muddy Mountains top right.
Looking back as we near the base of Fire Cliffs High Point. Southgate Peak visible top left, Muddy Mountains top right.
Fire Cliffs High Point ahead on the right.
Fire Cliffs High Point ahead on the right.
Close-up of Fire Cliffs High Point. The route began up the crack in the center. Note the canyon on the left - I recommend going through it to get a great view (photos of this after).
Close-up of Fire Cliffs High Point. The route began up the crack in the center. Note the canyon on the left - I recommend going through it to get a great view (photos of this after).
First we started up Fire Cliffs High Point via the crack.
First we started up Fire Cliffs High Point via the crack.
Just above the crack, a wide, somewhat exposed ledge.
Just above the crack, a wide, somewhat exposed ledge.
And then a Class 3 move to gain the summit.
And then a Class 3 move to gain the summit.
Looking down at Yossi on the Class 3 move to the summit of Fire Cliffs High Point.
Looking down at Yossi on the Class 3 move to the summit of Fire Cliffs High Point.
Fire Cliffs High Point summit, view west. Southgate Peak visible top right.
Fire Cliffs High Point summit, view west. Southgate Peak visible top right.
Back off Fire Cliffs High Point, heading through the canyon on its left.
Back off Fire Cliffs High Point, heading through the canyon on its left.
Amazing view on the rim of the Fire Cliffs.
Amazing view on the rim of the Fire Cliffs.
View east.
View east.
View west.
View west.
We started through the Bowl of Fire to head back.
We started through the Bowl of Fire to head back.
Along the standard route people use into the Bowl of Fire. View looking toward Fire Cliffs High Point on the right.
Along the standard route people use into the Bowl of Fire. View looking toward Fire Cliffs High Point on the right.
Shot of the head of the canyon where we ascended earlier. The dryfall that stopped us is right there in the shadowy spot - it was so close to being a direct route, but we liked our alternative.
Shot of the head of the canyon where we ascended earlier. The dryfall that stopped us is right there in the shadowy spot - it was so close to being a direct route, but we liked our alternative.
Heading through Bowl of Fire on the standard route.
Heading through Bowl of Fire on the standard route.
Shot toward the Fire Cliffs.
Shot toward the Fire Cliffs.
We followed the standard trail back into a major wash heading south, then headed east up to Lego Peak, visible here.
We followed the standard trail back into a major wash heading south, then headed east up to Lego Peak, visible here.
Blocky ascent to Lego Peak.
Blocky ascent to Lego Peak.
Class 2+ dihedral move to gain the summit.
Class 2+ dihedral move to gain the summit.
Dihedral move, view back toward Fire Cliffs.
Dihedral move, view back toward Fire Cliffs.
Close up toward Peak 2380 and Fire Cliffs. Muddy Mountains visible top center.
Close up toward Peak 2380 and Fire Cliffs. Muddy Mountains visible top center.
Lego Peak summit, view toward Panko Peak (right) and Northshore Peak (top center).
Lego Peak summit, view toward Panko Peak (right) and Northshore Peak (top center).
We dropped off the considerably less blocky slopes of Lego Peak's east side and headed along the ridge in the center to get up to the Northshore Hill Trail.
We dropped off the considerably less blocky slopes of Lego Peak's east side and headed along the ridge in the center to get up to the Northshore Hill Trail.
Looking back as we ascend to Northshore Hill. Panko Peak visible top left. Lego Peak visible top right.
Looking back as we ascend to Northshore Hill. Panko Peak visible top left. Lego Peak visible top right.
Northshore Hill Trail visible below. We followed it back to the car.
Northshore Hill Trail visible below. We followed it back to the car.

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