South McCullough Wilderness Loop in South McCullough Wilderness BLM, NV

Hike South McCullough Wilderness Loop South McCullough Wilderness BLM, NV

Class 3 6.7 miles 2900 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Apr 8, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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I've been spending a bunch of time hiking silly bumps around Las Vegas, resulting in quick out-and-back hikes that are too short to write a trip report for. These peaks are a few of those, but this loop seemed worthwhile enough, even though there are probably like three other people in the world who would ever want to hike these minor summits. Nestled on the northern side of McCullough Mountain, the hike is located within the South McCullough Wilderness area and is obscure enough to not have any named peaks or landmarks nearby.

Driving out to this hike was the first time I passed the hideous art installation called Seven Magic Mountains, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, I might want to check it out since it was right there. Nope. Leave Las Vegas Boulevard here (35.82763, -115.28382) and follow the pavement to this good dirt road (35.76508, -115.26181). This road is fine for passenger vehicles until the last couple of miles, where it gets a bit rockier. I parked right at the wilderness boundary. A legal ATV route is carved through the wilderness, and I used that for my return portion of the loop. It didn't make sense to drive on it since I'd be returning to the same spot on foot anyway to complete my loop.

I set out up the wash, leaving it for a minimally rocky, steep slope to gain Peak 4637. This peak is set apart from the other two I'd be hiking to on this outing, and it ended up being a bit of an inconvenience. On my first inspection of a map when planning this loop, it somehow slipped my notice that this peak is separated from the main ridgeline via a meandering, lumpy ridgeline. I dropped significant elevation and was ultimately spit out into a wash to the southeast. I followed this wash a short time and decided to ascend toward my next peaks via a slope that seemed the most rational for where I was attempting to go.

My next peak, Peak 5107, is set apart from the main McCullough ridgeline as well. This being the second inconveneint peak to reach for the day amongst the lumpy hills, I decided it was best reached second. I side-hilled (Class 2) around a steep, rocky-looking outcrop to gain Peak 5107's west ridge. From here I dropped several hundred feet of vertical, all of which I'd need to make back up on my return. It was already too hot, but I persisted. Nothing exceeded Class 2, and anything even resembling a scramble is found just before reaching the saddle.

I started up from the saddle toward Peak 5107. I immediately noticed a change in the terrain. The rest of the hike was mostly comprised of dirt ground with embedded boulders, while this was much more volcanic and deserty-feeling, the terrain loose and steep. Beginning as a steep slope, I was soon confronted with a Class 2/3 set of moves along the crest using surprisingly solid volcanic rock. Shortly after I encountered some more light scrambling, and then was pushed off the crest by an impassable outcropping and onto an extraordinarily loose slope. I found myself crawling once in a while on the way up since I kept losing my footing. I'd think I was stable, then a dozen small rocks would displace under my feet. I've got plenty of hiking on volcanic rock under my belt, but this was ridiculous. The views from Peak 5107 were nice, the Highland Range seen to the east.

I backtracked from Peak 5107 and re-ascended my lost vertical to regain the main ridge crest. A pleasant stroll followed by some light Class 2 brought me to the summit of my third peak, Peak 5302. I chose to descend via one of many slope/ridge options. It was steep at times, but I don't think any of the other options would have been better. The slope/ridge led me back into the wash, where I picked up an ATV road and followed it to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 4637
4637 ft
317 rise
2
Peak 5107
5107 ft
467 rise
3
Peak 5302
5302 ft
502 rise

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Starting at the wilderness boundary.
Starting at the wilderness boundary.
I left the wash and headed up to Peak 4637, seen ahead.
I left the wash and headed up to Peak 4637, seen ahead.
Peak 4637 summit, view toward Peak 5107 (far left) and Peak 5302 (center). McCullough Mountain seen distant right.
Peak 4637 summit, view toward Peak 5107 (far left) and Peak 5302 (center). McCullough Mountain seen distant right.
I hiked along a lumpy, low ridge and then ended in the wash below.
I hiked along a lumpy, low ridge and then ended in the wash below.
Within the wash shortly before ascending a slope on the right.
Within the wash shortly before ascending a slope on the right.
Ascending a steep slope to get up to the main McCullough ridge crest.
Ascending a steep slope to get up to the main McCullough ridge crest.
At the ridge crest, a view toward Peak 5107, which is separated from the main ridge. I side-hilled to get over to its western spur ridge, seen center.
At the ridge crest, a view toward Peak 5107, which is separated from the main ridge. I side-hilled to get over to its western spur ridge, seen center.
View back at the side-hilling.
View back at the side-hilling.
Progressively steepening descent down to the saddle with Peak 5107.
Progressively steepening descent down to the saddle with Peak 5107.
Class 2/3 up Peak 5107.
Class 2/3 up Peak 5107.
A second section of Class 2/3 along the crest. This one left me on a loose, horrible slope.
A second section of Class 2/3 along the crest. This one left me on a loose, horrible slope.
View down the horrible slope.
View down the horrible slope.
Peak 5107 summit, view toward the Highland Range (left).
Peak 5107 summit, view toward the Highland Range (left).
Peak 5107 summit, view back the way I came, my third peak (Peak 5302) seen left.
Peak 5107 summit, view back the way I came, my third peak (Peak 5302) seen left.
Close-up toward Las Vegas, Mount Charleston, and the norther McCullough range.
Close-up toward Las Vegas, Mount Charleston, and the norther McCullough range.
Back along the main ridge crest after backtracking, Peak 5302 seen ahead.
Back along the main ridge crest after backtracking, Peak 5302 seen ahead.
Pleasant walking up toward Peak 5302.
Pleasant walking up toward Peak 5302.
Steeper slope to gain Peak 5302.
Steeper slope to gain Peak 5302.
View back, Peak 5207 seen on the right.
View back, Peak 5207 seen on the right.
My car is at the mouth of the wash seen ahead.
My car is at the mouth of the wash seen ahead.
View toward McCullough Mountain.
View toward McCullough Mountain.
Along my chosen steep descent slope/ridge.
Along my chosen steep descent slope/ridge.
After taking a my descent slope/ridge, I hiked back to my car using an ATV road.
After taking a my descent slope/ridge, I hiked back to my car using an ATV 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!