Hike White Basin Overlook Muddy Mountains BLM, NV

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I met up with local peakbaggers Eric, Anji, and Kevin for a remote Lake Mead peak, White Basin Overlook. They're a great group and I was happy to meet some locals and tag along for an obscure peak. Eric drove us to the trailhead, which included a bumpy drive on the absolutely awful Bitter Springs Trail Backcountry Byway from the north, only passable by the best vehicles. I certainly would have been shut down with my car. Apparently the road is a bit better if coming from the south, but I don't know. I was also happy to be able to check out the Buffington Pockets as we drove in, which included beautiful sandstone similar to or Bowl of Fire.

I should mention that our ascent route was quite fun, but definitely made this peak much more difficult than it had to be. Our descent was only Class 2, but significantly less interesting. I have rated this hike based on the more fun option, because despite my recent excitement to hike all the peaks, I still get more into fun route-finding than just bagging peaks. Anyway, keep in mind that the southwest side of the loop on the attached map is a good alternative to get the peak (Class 2), while the northeast half of the loop is Class 3/4.

We parked off the side of the road and chose a route, a not so super obvious ridge/slope feature that headed south. White Basin Overlook was well out of view, but there was a rock outcropping above that looked like it could cause some difficulty. As we continued on the fun Class 2 ridge, we noted a potential weakness on the right side and went for it. A Class 3 chute on dubious rock led to the first false summit, where we could see the grassy, pleasant ridgeline leading to White Basin Overlook. We followed the ridge and then split up at the base of the peak, where a cliff blocked easy access. Kevin and I spotted a potential route that ended up being some really enjoyable Class 4 on solid rock, which popped us right to the summit. Anji and Eric continued farther south and located a slope that brought them to the summit, which we later used partially as our descent route.

After some time on the White Basin Overlook summit admiring the nearby Lake Mead peaks, clouds seemed to be rolling in and we headed down on the west side, realizing the Backcountry Byway was just to the west, an easy Class 2 descent away. Like I mentioned before, this was a much easier option, but loses out on a lot of the best stuff we experienced on the ascent.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

White Basin Overlook

4446 ft

1231 rise

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Our chosen ascent ridge, visible center. The high point of this photo is the general direction we headed, though it's guarded by a rocky cliff.

Looking back toward the Buffington Pockets.

Heading up our ridge/slope.

Looking back as we ascend on some Class 2.

Approaching the high point (just a false summit), where we wrapped around to the right to avoid the cliffs.

Looking back down before we start heading around the cliff. Buffington Pockets visible below.

Working around the right side of the cliffs to find this weakness.

Class 3 up the weakness.

Looking back down the scramble.

At the top of the scramble, this ridgeline leads to White Basin Overlook, seen on the right.

Close-up of the protected summit, another rocky cliff blocking easy access. Continue around the cliff base for a Class 2 approach out of frame on the right.

Kevin and I heading up a Class 4 option.

Class 4, optional.

Fun moves. Eric visible below on the right for perspective.

At the summit of White Basin Overlook, looking back toward the ridgeline we came up on.

White Basin Overlook summit, view toward Muddy Mountains. We descended this way (south). There's a Class 2 option that becomes apparent on the right.

Heading down Class 2.

Looking back up our Class 2 descent. Note that this can obviously also be ascended for a much easier route to White Basin Overlook.

Pretty views on the descent. The Backcountry Byway (road we came in on) is visible below.

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!