The 5-Arch (Fire Horn Peak)

Valley of Fire State Park, NV Northern Lake Mead + Valley of Fire + Gold Butte

Trip stats

Distance
2.1 mi
Net Gain
700 ft
Time
1-2 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 4
Route
Out/Back
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
1.9/10
Personality
6/10
Beauty
5/10
Solitude
3.6/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. The 5-Arch
    2,313′ elevation · 410′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

36.426160, -114.470630

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Trip report

Jan 9, 2020 — The 5-Arch is really a cool-looking rock pinnacle visible from many areas in Valley of Fire State Park. The peak is also known as Fire Horn Peak. Starting from the side of Valley of Fire Highway, I noted a notch to the west of The 5-Arch, the obviously largest rock tower to the north. This notch would be my gateway to the peak. I walked up a maintenance road to a fenced-off area, then followed the fence into Fire Canyon Wash. I continued northwest in the wash until I decided to head through the colorful sandstone badlands toward the notch, still visible ahead. I don't know that there's a best way through this smalls ection of badlands north of Fire Canyon Wash, but avoid stepping on the fragile cryptobiotic soil. A loose Class 2 talus slope led up the right side of the gully and to the notch without difficulty.

A short flat section wrapped me around to the north side of The 5-Arch, where I encountered some light Class 2/3 scrambling to ascend. There were at least two gullies that could be used, so there's no one right way from here to get to higher ground. Note that my attached map has the correct track, but the contours were incorrectly placed in the map imagery for the peak itself. However, navigating should be pretty clear as you start ascending on the north face of The 5-Arch where to go.

I located the Class 4 chimney section, where there was a nice piece of webbing in place (thank you, whoever added this!). Without it, the move would definitely be a bit of work in the low Class 5 range. Although there wasn't any exposure to be concerned about, it's a tough enclosed set of moves. The Class 4/5 section led to a couple of Class 3 scrambles on fun features with some minimal route-finding to gain the summit.

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Photos

14 photos

  1. Starting along the maintenance road. The 5-Arch is the pointy pinnacle in the center. The notch I used to ascend is to the left of the peak.
  2. After leaving Fire Canyon Wash, I entered the sandstone badlands heading north. The notch I'm going for is visible in the center.
  3. Ascending Class 2 talus to the notch.
  4. Looking back down from the notch, toward Fire Canyon Wash. You can see the fenced-off maintenance area center left.
  5. Once at the notch, I continued north on this flat section, wrapping around to the north side of The 5-Arch.
  6. Ascending one of many gully options on the north side of The 5-Arch (Class 3).
  7. More fun scrambling, The 5-Arch now in view ahead, center.
  8. Looking back down (north) the way I came.
  9. Approaching the Class 4 chimney move (center).
  10. Looking down the Class 4 chimney move, made easier with some webbing. Don't count on it being there, of course.
  11. Just after the Class 4 section, a Class 3 move (left) leads higher, followed by some Class 2+ slab to the summit.
  12. Looking down the Class 3 move.
  13. The 5-Arch summit, view west toward Valley of Fire Peak.
  14. The 5-Arch summit, view east toward Lake Mead.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

GPX track

The 5-Arch (Fire Horn Peak) GPX route and driving track

The complete GPX track is available to download, so you can load the route straight into your navigation app or device. The trip report, route info, photos and planning details stay free.