Razorback Ridge and Pinto Ridge Loop in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Razorback Ridge and Pinto Ridge Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 9.6 miles 2900 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Jan 27, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Razorback Ridge and Pinto Ridge Loop GPX Track

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I started up the wrong ridge (a small butte just east of Razorback Ridge) and had to traverse over to Razorback Ridge, but no matter! More scrambling is (usually) always a good time. Once on the ridge, there are a few short Class 3 moves but otherwise it's just boulder hopping that mellows out into a slope. Initially, I thought I'd just jump on over to Pinto Ridge, but I saw bright red stuff to the southwest and decided to explore a bit. These redlands (that's what I'm calling them, sue me) have a series of gullies and interesting rock bands and sheer rotten red dirt all over and I'm glad I came this way. I realized I was wandering pretty far into the redlands after a while whne the red gave way to yellow and eventually back to limestone. Rather than go back, I saw a gully on my topo that reached north and seemed to get back into the valley between Razorback Ridge and Pinto Ridge. I took this route out of the redlands, which included a few dryfalls on slick limestone, and only had a couple of short and easy Class 3 moves to gain the higher ground. I wanted to then get up onto Pinto Ridge, but the cliff band was a bit too freesoloey-looking for my taste, so I kept walking until a steep Class 2 slope reached up to Pinto Ridge, where I was immediately greeted by really fantastic views south toward Lake Mead and the colorfull hills surrounding it, as well as back into the redlands I came from.

Pinto Ridge is easy going the whole way, with one steep Class 2 slope, followed by a Class 3 move. About seven bighorned sheep watched my slip up the slope from above. I saw this section earlier while on Razorback Ridge and it looked way scarier from there. Coming up this way was a gamble, but it paid off and I got to the high point of Pinto Ridge. A canyon to the north of the high point seemed like a fun option to descend back to my car, and it was! There were some small sections of narrows along the way down.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Razorback Ridge High Point
2920 ft
394 rise
2
Pinto Ridge High Point
3083 ft
557 rise

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On the sub-peak of Razorback Ridge looking over to Razorback Ridge paralleling me.
On the sub-peak of Razorback Ridge looking over to Razorback Ridge paralleling me.
On Razorback Ridge, headed west.
On Razorback Ridge, headed west.
A Class 3 obstacle along Razorback Ridge.
A Class 3 obstacle along Razorback Ridge.
Looking back the way I came along Razorback Ridge.
Looking back the way I came along Razorback Ridge.
Razorback Ridge's slanted and rocky ridge begins to mellow out into a more mellow walk.
Razorback Ridge's slanted and rocky ridge begins to mellow out into a more mellow walk.
View of the Muddy Mountains along Razorback Ridge.
View of the Muddy Mountains along Razorback Ridge.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
View southeast toward Pinto Ridge. In the center, you can see the spot I thought might prove difficult later, but ended up working out fine.
View southeast toward Pinto Ridge. In the center, you can see the spot I thought might prove difficult later, but ended up working out fine.
Image 9 from gallery
Nearing the end of Razorback Ridge. I headed to the left.
Nearing the end of Razorback Ridge. I headed to the left.
Looking back at the valley between Razorback Ridge (left) and Pinto ridge (right).
Looking back at the valley between Razorback Ridge (left) and Pinto ridge (right).
Entering a drainage.
Entering a drainage.
Interesting landscape west of Razorback Ridge.
Interesting landscape west of Razorback Ridge.
Image 14 from gallery
A really cool cliff band.
A really cool cliff band.
Image 16 from gallery
I followed a bunch of washes to just explore the area.
I followed a bunch of washes to just explore the area.
Image 18 from gallery
Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
Image 21 from gallery
Eventually, I made it to another wash heading back east, in the hopes that I could find a route up to Pinto Ridge.
Eventually, I made it to another wash heading back east, in the hopes that I could find a route up to Pinto Ridge.
Looking back into the interesting landscape as I ascend to a saddle.
Looking back into the interesting landscape as I ascend to a saddle.
At a saddle overlooking yet another drainage, Pinto Ridge's southwestern cliffs visible ahead. I aimed for the notch to the left of it.
At a saddle overlooking yet another drainage, Pinto Ridge's southwestern cliffs visible ahead. I aimed for the notch to the left of it.
Within the limestone drainage, looking back the way I came.
Within the limestone drainage, looking back the way I came.
Continuing up the Class 2 limestone drainage leading to the notch I was aiming for.
Continuing up the Class 2 limestone drainage leading to the notch I was aiming for.
At the top of the drainage looking back down the way I came, after pulling an easy Class 3 move.
At the top of the drainage looking back down the way I came, after pulling an easy Class 3 move.
After getting out of the drainage, I continued northeast, looking for a weakness in Pinto Ridge's cliff band.
After getting out of the drainage, I continued northeast, looking for a weakness in Pinto Ridge's cliff band.
I eventually found a nice Calss 2 slope. This is my view looking down that slope, toward Razorback Ridge in the distance.
I eventually found a nice Calss 2 slope. This is my view looking down that slope, toward Razorback Ridge in the distance.
Along Pinto Ridge, approaching the section I was unsure would work.
Along Pinto Ridge, approaching the section I was unsure would work.
Close-up of Booths Pinnacle, The Sentinel, other Lake Mead peaklets, and of course, Lake Mead to the south.
Close-up of Booths Pinnacle, The Sentinel, other Lake Mead peaklets, and of course, Lake Mead to the south.
Image 32 from gallery
A Class 2 slope leading to an easy Class 3 cliff band.
A Class 2 slope leading to an easy Class 3 cliff band.
The Class 3 cliff band section.
The Class 3 cliff band section.
Looking down the Class 3 section back along Pinto Ridge.
Looking down the Class 3 section back along Pinto Ridge.
Continuing along Pinto Ridge to the high point.
Continuing along Pinto Ridge to the high point.
Image 37 from gallery
Image 38 from gallery
Pinto Ridge High Point looking back southwest toward my route.
Pinto Ridge High Point looking back southwest toward my route.
Continuing northeast, that drainage on the left my intended route to descend off Pinto Ridge.
Continuing northeast, that drainage on the left my intended route to descend off Pinto Ridge.
One last close-up of the gorgeous peaklets to the south.
One last close-up of the gorgeous peaklets to the south.
Within the drainage, a few interesting sections of narrows.
Within the drainage, a few interesting sections of narrows.
Image 43 from gallery
Image 44 from gallery
Image 45 from gallery
The drainage leads to Northshore Road.
The drainage leads to Northshore Road.

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!