Boot Boulder, Lost Creek Peak, North Peak (Red Rock near Las Vegas, NV)

Boot Boulder, Lost Creek Peak, North Peak
(Red Rock near Las Vegas, NV)

Harlan W.S.
March 11, 2015

None of these has enough prominence to be considered a "peak" by the Colorado Rule; even North Peak (7047') is lower than the limestone ridge to the SW, and has at most 150' prominence. However, all have achieved the status of "peak" in local hiking lore, and it is fun to scramble among them. There are a few spots that might be considered class 4, but the rock is generally good sandstone. It was a little wetter than usual, which made some moss- and lichen-covered spots very slick.

I don't post many TRs for Red Rock, since it is my "backyard" and I've done most of the peaks many (e.g.10-30) times. But this day reminded me that spontaneity and uncertainty can be fun.

I mentioned I'd never been to Boot Boulder, so Jim and Barb began looking for the route. We eventually saw a few cairns.	Thge sky was dark, but that accentuated the colors.	The slick moss and lichen made it "interesting."
We wandered over sume subsidiary peaklets -- some harder than Boot Boulder-- before Jim saw the route; here he is atop the Boot.	Now I'm on the Boot, looking NW as Jacquie Barb approach.
Jacquie and Barb come down; somehow I thought the boulder was a lot bigger. The Hiking Las Vegas site calls it class 3+; there is some exposure on the downclimb, when it is hard to see your feet. There is now a bolt on top, through which you can double a 20' strap if people want comfort.	Then we cut WSW to hit the ridge to Lost Cr Peak; this section actually had some of the hairier exposure.
		View N to White Rock Hills Peak
This stretch of ridge is reasonable when going up.	Barb and WRHP to R
Snow-covered Griffith in back	On Lost Cr Peak; La Madre is the gray ridge in back.	View S to North Pk, our next destination.
View NE as we cross over from Lost Creek Pk to North Pk	This was the first time I had seen running water here.	View S to Bridge Mt.
Barb comes up North Peak. We were planning to go out over Goodman Pk, but the possible rain had us bail to the west.