Red Mountain and Black Mountain in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Red Mountain and Black Mountain Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 2 7.2 miles 1900 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jan 31, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Red Mountain and Black Mountain are visible from the road through Boulder City, Nevada. Red Mountain is known for its mountain biking using the Bootleg Canyon mountian bike trail system. Black Mountain is actually not often summitted, but instead people stop at the pretty overlook called Black Mountain Overlook. This route follows the River Mountain Trail, which leads straight up to the saddle of both peaks. This very well-maintained trail leads from a neighborhood and along a concrete ditch before entering the foothills. The trail winds around a little bit and then ascends at a casual grade on nice switchbacks to the saddle between Red Mountain and Black Mountain. I first went over to Red Mountain, whose summit is unclear. I marked the one that isn't on private property as the true summit, and others seem to agree.

Back at the saddle, I continued east on the trail to the Black Mountain Overlook, where a sign points out a bunch of geologic features from the viewpoint. A nice, pretty rocky ridgeline with only a couple of thoughtful Class 2 spots leads to the summit of Black Mountain, where a register sits with fewer entries than I had expected.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Black Mountain Overlook
3520 ft
152 rise
2
Black Mountain
3628 ft
228 rise
3
Red Mountain
3640 ft
360 rise

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Starting from the River Mountain Trailead.
Starting from the River Mountain Trailead.
Views toward Lake Mead as the trail winds around in the foothills.
Views toward Lake Mead as the trail winds around in the foothills.
Red Mountain visible left, Black Mountain Overlook on the right. The trail heads for the saddle between the two.
Red Mountain visible left, Black Mountain Overlook on the right. The trail heads for the saddle between the two.
Starting up the switchbacks.
Starting up the switchbacks.
I realize the colors changed drastically from the last photo. I combined photos from two visits along this trail at different times of year. Pictured here is working up the switchbacks to the saddle.
I realize the colors changed drastically from the last photo. I combined photos from two visits along this trail at different times of year. Pictured here is working up the switchbacks to the saddle.
I opted to head down the official trail. Lots of switchbacks. Boulder City visible below.
I opted to head down the official trail. Lots of switchbacks. Boulder City visible below.
Heading to Red Mountain first. This is looking back toward the saddle (center) and the Black Mountain ridge line (top).
Heading to Red Mountain first. This is looking back toward the saddle (center) and the Black Mountain ridge line (top).
Looking east toward Black Mountain, as I ascend to Red Mountain.
Looking east toward Black Mountain, as I ascend to Red Mountain.
Red Mountain private property summit over there, what I think is the true summit is behind me.
Red Mountain private property summit over there, what I think is the true summit is behind me.
After returning to the saddle, I started toward the Black Mountain Overlook ahead.
After returning to the saddle, I started toward the Black Mountain Overlook ahead.
Almost at the Black Mountain Overlook, looking west, back toward Red Mountain.
Almost at the Black Mountain Overlook, looking west, back toward Red Mountain.
Black Mountain Overlook.
Black Mountain Overlook.
Black Mountain, a Class 2 scramble away.
Black Mountain, a Class 2 scramble away.
Along the ridge from Black Mountain Overlook to Black Mountain
Along the ridge from Black Mountain Overlook to Black Mountain
Black Mountain ahead.
Black Mountain ahead.
Black Mountain summit, looking north toward the higher peaks of the River Mountians.
Black Mountain summit, looking north toward the higher peaks of the River Mountians.
Black Mountain summit, looking south toward Black Mountain Overlook.
Black Mountain summit, looking south toward Black Mountain Overlook.

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!