Opal Peak and Keyhole Peak in Eldorado Mountains BLM, NV

Hike Opal Peak and Keyhole Peak Eldorado Mountains BLM, NV

Class 2 5.9 miles 2000 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Feb 4, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Keyhole Peak is a minor summit just off NV-95 within the Eldorado-Newberry Mountains. To access the summit I could have used the popular standard approach route for the technical Keyhole Canyon and then just continued up Keyhole Canyon's upper wash, but I wanted to reach Keyhole Peak from a different direction. A bonus of coming the way I did is that I could also tack on Opal Peak. I recommend reaching the trailhead by using the graded Nelson Cutoff Road. If coming from the south, leave the highway here (35.61019, -114.91997), though the road might be a little difficult for passenger cars at the pass. Head north at this junction (35.69607, -114.87236). I parked where I did along this good road because there was an open gate with an unlocked lock on it. I wasn't sure if I'd get stuck within, so I decided to walk from there.

Opal Peak was just a quick road walk with views to the surrounding hills, so I just continued on to Keyhole Peak. This next summit is lower in elevation than Opal Peak was, so I'd have to lose quite a bit and have to regain on my way back. I set off to the south using a dirtbike trail along the ridgeline, then headed west from the saddle and down into Keyhole Canyon. The upper reaches of Keyhole Canyon are far less interesting than its slot canyon near the mouth, but I enjoyed following the singletrack through the sandy drainage. Keyhole Peak came into view and I decided my best option to reach it would be to ascend out of the drainage and up a steep slope (light Class 2) to gain a minor ridge above on the left. From here I scoped out a potential route that would lead me up Keyhole Peak's steep eastern slope.

With a little bit of route-finding I was able to keep the slope ascent Class 2, but it was mostly just typical loose desert stuff and the scrambling was not particularly interesting. There was some puzzling out to avoid little cliffy sections. Some views and light Class 2 led me along the crest to the high point, where I was hoping to get a glimpse down into Keyhole Canyon's narrows below, but this wasn't the case. This little outing was definitely just a way to reach a couple of desert lumps that I hadn't been to before and to get some exercise, certainly not a highlight of the area.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Opal Peak
4895 ft
712 rise
2
Keyhole Peak
4416 ft
348 rise

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From where I parked, I headed up to Opal Peak seen ahead.
From where I parked, I headed up to Opal Peak seen ahead.
Opal Peak. Keyhole Peak seen left of center.
Opal Peak. Keyhole Peak seen left of center.
Opal Peak summit, view toward Nelson and the Eldorado Wilderness.
Opal Peak summit, view toward Nelson and the Eldorado Wilderness.
Onward to Keyhole Peak, first descending via Opal Peak's south ridge on a dirtbike trail. You can see the Ireteba Peaks on the left.
Onward to Keyhole Peak, first descending via Opal Peak's south ridge on a dirtbike trail. You can see the Ireteba Peaks on the left.
Now descending into Keyhole Canyon's upper reaches. Keyhole Peak seen center.
Now descending into Keyhole Canyon's upper reaches. Keyhole Peak seen center.
Lower in the drainage, Keyhole Peak much closer. I ascended using the slope on the left to reach the ridge.
Lower in the drainage, Keyhole Peak much closer. I ascended using the slope on the left to reach the ridge.
View back into the drainage I just descended. Opal Peak hidden top left somewhere.
View back into the drainage I just descended. Opal Peak hidden top left somewhere.
Up the Class 2 east slope of Keyhole Peak.
Up the Class 2 east slope of Keyhole Peak.
It's sort of just like this, with some light route-finding to avoid cliffier terrain.
It's sort of just like this, with some light route-finding to avoid cliffier terrain.
Toward the top of the slope, more Class 2 gain the ridge.
Toward the top of the slope, more Class 2 gain the ridge.
Along the ridge to Keyhole Peak, Class 2.
Along the ridge to Keyhole Peak, Class 2.
Keyhole Peak, view toward the obscured Keyhole Canyon narrows. You can see the solar fields off NV-95, Black Mountain, and Charleston Peak.
Keyhole Peak, view toward the obscured Keyhole Canyon narrows. You can see the solar fields off NV-95, Black Mountain, and Charleston Peak.
Southwest view, McCullough Mountain seen top right.
Southwest view, McCullough Mountain seen top right.
Opal Peak and the upper reaches of Keyhole Canyon.
Opal Peak and the upper reaches of Keyhole Canyon.

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!