Sheep Mountain seen from Las Vegas
Sheep Peak
Desert National Wildlife Refuge
November 1, 2009
I hadn't climbed any peaks north of Las Vegas so on Shin's invitation, I joined him and his two friends, John and Tim, to bag Sheep Peak, the third highest peak in the Sheep Mountains. John drove his SUV several kilometres up 4x4 roads and parked by a corral. After starting off we realized we had driven up the wrong fork and parked at the wrong trailhead. Instead of going back, we pushed on to the correct trailhead, adding 1.2 km to the approach and 130 m of elevation gain. I had no knowledge of the route and left the routefinding to John and Shin. There was no trail. We covered ground mostly by hiking, although at times we were forced to do a little bushwhacking or scrambling. We made slow progress. Although Tim and John enjoy hiking neither get out often because they have families. Nor did it help that it was hotter than we expected. However, after making our way up and over a series of ridges we arrived on top of Sheep Peak. We had started shortly after sunrise but the ascent had taken time and now the return trip ate up the rest of the daylight. We arrived back at the SUV at dusk just when the bats began flying about. |
Sheep Mountain seen from Las Vegas
Looking back at our start. Mummy Mountain in the background (mouse over for a close-up).
Starting off
Arriving at the usual start point
Hedgehog cactus
After climbing a minor ridge, we make for the rock outcroppings above.
Some uncertainty as to the best way to take, but it turns out well.
Negotiating the rocky ridge
John and Shin
I have no idea where we're going and follow along.
Shin stops to look for our next move.
After dropping down the ridge behind, we ascend another one.
This ridge climbs for quite a ways.
Eventually we see the summit (centre peak) but it's still some distance away.
Tim crests another ridge.
Looking back at the last ridge: we tackled it from different directions. Shin came over the far right
end (not in view). Tim and I came up and over the middle. John went around left to try to avoid
climbing. He's somewhere in the middle of the photo (mouse over).
After going under an arch I look back at Tim.
The summit
It was a hot day and we were glad to cool and
augment our water supply with snow.
Tim, me, John and Shin on the summit
Nearby Hayford Peak is the highest in the area.
The long ridge is Gass Peak.
Coming down from the summit
Heading back we come to a viewpoint.
Jerusalem crickets get as large as 2.7 inches but this one was only about 1.5.
Upside down tree
Heading along the last ridge back
Joshua trees on the lower slopes
We make it back before nightfall.
Summit panorama
Black Hills and Sheep Peak Maps
