Gold Cross Peak, Lake Mead, NV

pics by Harlan W.S & CP
Nov 21, 2011

Thanks especially to Paul Holt for providing the boat (& pilot) that made this trip possible, and to CP and Bob F for providing accompaniment and a wealth of knowledge.

This certainly an obscure peak—the last entry in the register was from 2003, for a party that apparently came up the gentler (and much longer) back side.

This roundtrip was about 7 miles, with an accumulated elevation gain over 2800’.

Obviously, this would be a fatally hot trip in the summer.

GoogleEarth view to SW across Scanlon “Bay. The GE image shows us starting the hike in the water (it was actually a ridge of dry land). We went up the canyon at L.	The USGS topo map of the area implies even more swimming!	CP motors across a relatively flat stretch in the bouldery wash.
View NE across an arm of Lake Mead.	Boulders everywhere!	View to Jumbo Peak in middle of photo.
Motoring up the gully, view NE	Similar.	Finally at the 1^st ridge, view ENE.
Similar. It should be easy from here, right?	CP was off doing extra-credit climbing.	Another view to Jumbo.
Well, actually, the ridge was a wonderful jumble of granite boulders.		…some boulders formed tunnels…
…and some sent CP on more extra credit work…	…he squeezes up a tight crack…	…walks across a steep ramp, and foot-jams to the top.
	Here’s where it gets interesting.
View NNE from summit, Bonelli at L.		It took me a while to realize Abbott was “Abbie.”
		View W past a “temple.”
On descent, view E over granite ridge.	Bonelli to N.	View NW across lake, to some notable mountains—Pyramid, Pinnacle, Muddy Peak and Muddy Highpoint.
We descended a less-rough wash…	…which still had some interesting terrain.	We hit a delightful sandy wash bottom.
View east, with CP and the car driven by Bonnie and Clyde.	View NW over the 4x4 road to Jumbo Pass, with some new cryptic signs.	Finally we got back to Scanlon Bay, where Paul was fishing.
…and we took the fast way back. Bonelli in distance		This is the life!
Bonelli again.		The crew—Bob at L, Paul at middle and CP at R.