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Valley of Fire Peak

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

Distance: 5.2 mi
Net Gain: 1,200 ft
Time: 2-4 hrs
YDS Rating: Class 3
Route: Out/Back
Peaks: 1

Effort: 3.2/10
Personality: 7/10
Beauty: 8/10
Solitude: 5.3/10

What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

Valley of Fire Peak
2,972′ elevation · 610′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

36.441610, -114.516920

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

May 1, 2019 — Valley of Fire Peak is definitely a favorite desert scramble. Despite its short mileage and low elevation gain, the route and peak itself are a gem. Note that there are many different ways to get to the summit, but expect to encounter at least one dead end or other impassible obstacle. I certainly found some, and also did some weird route-finding to get into the more major washes, but I edited the attached map to describe the route I found worked best of my explorations from the day, excluding the strange side canyons/gullies I attempted to use.

From the lot opposite the Mouse's Tank Trailhead, I followed a major drainage into the wonderful red landscape west of the main park road. The wash zig-zags a bit, but I pulled a couple of Class 3 moves to avoid the additional walking. At some point, the wash seems to curve east, so I headed up a steep gully, then back down, and then back up, working west. I landed in another wash leading northwest, which I followed for a bit before locating another wash headed south. More obstacles and side-canyons make describing the route a bit difficult, so refer to the map or choose your own adventure, but I recommend definitely havinga GPS for this one. It's a real maze.

Eventually, I worked up and around a feature to the north of Valley of Fire Peak. On my way back, I located a short slot that led up a small Class 3 gully and served as a shortcut back. This was a much more interesting addition, but I left both options in the map. Anyway, a brushy canyon led me south to the north side of Valley of Fire Peak. From within the canyon, I really couldn't see the best route up, but I located a cairn that safely led up likely the only rock rib that would lead to the summit. A couple of Class 3 moves and I was up to a wide, slickrock landscape just below the summit. As expected from reading other trip reports, there was a picnic bench (apparently used for weddings via helicopter approaches). The summit views were amazing, and I was able to (mostly) trace my route through the maze I navigated through from above.

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Photos

34 photos

Heading northwest from the parking lot into a wash.
The wash bends west and enters the sandstone jungle.
Class 2/3 obstacles as I work west.
Canyon narrows significantly.
Looking back down the narrow section.
Continuing to the end of the narrow section back into an open wash.
Following a major wash northwest.
My choice of canyon to leave the major wash, heading southwest.
Boulder obstacles.
More boulder obstacles as I weave north and south, navigating the maze of red rocks.
A glimpse of Valley of Fire Peak on the left. Some arches also visible.
Entering another major wash that heads northwest.
Eventually the major wash curves back southwest.
Valley of Fire Peak visible ahead! To get to it, you could head up to the notch on the far right in this photo, or continue weaving in washes to get around (refer to map where the "slot" is).
Heading up to the notch, using the slot approach.
Valley of Fire Peak ahead, the slot below.
Through the slot, heading west.
After the slot, this is where the alternate approach would meet up. I followed this bushy canyon south.
The rock rib that leads into the slickrock and out of the bushes.
Looking back toward the maze.
Class 3 section.
Looking back toward the Class 3 section, another Class 3 section visible on the left.
After the Class 3, continuing up slickrock.
Picnic table visible center.
Valley of Fire Peak summit, looking north toward the maze I just navigated through. Virgin Peak visible top right.
Close-up of the maze.
The other option, if not taking the recommended "slot section" (see map). The wash heads north and then back south, avoiding a rock outcropping.
Along the alternate option.
Alternate option from the slot, at the start of the bushy canyon that rejoins with the slot section route.

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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!

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