Redstone Peaks Loop in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Redstone Peaks Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 6.4 miles 2800 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Feb 16, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Redstone Peaks Loop GPX Track

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This great little loop along Northshore Road starts at the Redstone Trailhead and heads up a Class 2 gully to the saddle with East Redstone Peak and Redstone Peak. The ridgeline has maybe a single Class 3 move, but it's otherwise a really straightforward traverse with nice views of Lake Mead and the Redstone features below. Horn Toad Peak is maybe the only peaklet along the route with an actual Class 3 move, but unless you care to bag this little thing, don't worry about it. I took the ridgeline out to Little Pyramid Peak, which also had some nice views, before locating a short canyon to the north that led back into the Redstone area. You'll note from my map that there are an abundance of little nonsense peaks, most of which have a small amount of prominence, but I decided to include them all anyway. They served as nice little destinations along the route.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
East Redstone
3382 ft
200 rise
2
Redstone Peak
3524 ft
407 rise
3
Mystery Cairn Peak
3478 ft
328 rise
4
Vista Peak
3484 ft
132 rise
5
Horn Toad Peak
3257 ft
n/a rise
6
Little Pyramid Peak
3368 ft
n/a rise

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Starting along the Redstone Trail, then quickly leaving.
Starting along the Redstone Trail, then quickly leaving.
A wash leads through some interesting sandstone features before heading into the mountains.
A wash leads through some interesting sandstone features before heading into the mountains.
Approaching the notch leading to the saddle between East Redstone and Redstone. A social/animal trail laeds into it quite nicely.
Approaching the notch leading to the saddle between East Redstone and Redstone. A social/animal trail laeds into it quite nicely.
Looking down the gully from the saddle between East Redstone and Redstone.
Looking down the gully from the saddle between East Redstone and Redstone.
East Redstone Peak looking north toward the interesting lightly-colored  formation that Northshore Road Follows north.
East Redstone Peak looking north toward the interesting lightly-colored formation that Northshore Road Follows north.
Close-up of the interesting formation, and Northshore Road. You can also see Fire Benchmark on the top left.
Close-up of the interesting formation, and Northshore Road. You can also see Fire Benchmark on the top left.
East Redstone Peak summit looking west toward Redstone Peak.
East Redstone Peak summit looking west toward Redstone Peak.
Cool features along the traverse to Redstone Peak.
Cool features along the traverse to Redstone Peak.
Redstone Peak summit looking east toward East Redstone Peak.
Redstone Peak summit looking east toward East Redstone Peak.
Redstone Peak summit looking west toward my traverse to come. Mystery Cairn (right) and Vista Peak (center) are up next.
Redstone Peak summit looking west toward my traverse to come. Mystery Cairn (right) and Vista Peak (center) are up next.
Redstone Peak summit close-up toward the Redstone Trailhead.
Redstone Peak summit close-up toward the Redstone Trailhead.
Saddle before Mystery Cairn Peak.
Saddle before Mystery Cairn Peak.
Headed toward Vista Peak, Lake Mead visible in the distance.
Headed toward Vista Peak, Lake Mead visible in the distance.
Vista Peak looking south toward Lake Mead.
Vista Peak looking south toward Lake Mead.
Mystery Cairn Peak looking west toward Horn Toad Peak (right) and little Pyramid Peak (left).
Mystery Cairn Peak looking west toward Horn Toad Peak (right) and little Pyramid Peak (left).
Class 3 move to gain Horn Toad Peak.
Class 3 move to gain Horn Toad Peak.
Horn Toad Peak looking south toward Little Pyramid Peak.
Horn Toad Peak looking south toward Little Pyramid Peak.
Horn Toad Peak looking north toward the Redstone parking area.
Horn Toad Peak looking north toward the Redstone parking area.
Horn Toad Peak summit looking east toward the traverse I just came through.
Horn Toad Peak summit looking east toward the traverse I just came through.
Saddle before Little Pyramid Peak.
Saddle before Little Pyramid Peak.
Just below Little Pyramid Peak, looking north toward the interesting-looking canyon I decided to attempt descending through. Horn Toad Peak visible top right.
Just below Little Pyramid Peak, looking north toward the interesting-looking canyon I decided to attempt descending through. Horn Toad Peak visible top right.
Class 2+ scramble to the summit of Little Pyramid Peak.
Class 2+ scramble to the summit of Little Pyramid Peak.
Little Pyramid Peak summit looking northeast at my traverse.
Little Pyramid Peak summit looking northeast at my traverse.
Little Pyramid Peak summit looking east toward the other Northshore Peaks I've come to know and love.
Little Pyramid Peak summit looking east toward the other Northshore Peaks I've come to know and love.
Descending from Little Pyramid Peak's north saddle toward that canyon ahead.
Descending from Little Pyramid Peak's north saddle toward that canyon ahead.
Crazy formations leading to the canyon.
Crazy formations leading to the canyon.
Easy canyon descend, maybe a couple Class 2+ moves.
Easy canyon descend, maybe a couple Class 2+ moves.
Descending the canyon down into the desert.
Descending the canyon down into the desert.
View of the Redstone area from the west as I descend back to my car.
View of the Redstone area from the west as I descend back to my car.
View as I near the trailhead, the canyon I came out of in the center.
View as I near the trailhead, the canyon I came out of in the center.

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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!