Moapa Peak LVMC trip

pics by Harlan W.S. and Chris M.
May 2, 2009

 

Previous trip, with more directions, here.

 

This was my forth time up Moapa, on two-year intervals.  The herd paths have gotten much more distinct in that span.

 

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GPS track (red), actually from a previous trip. The arrow gives the view direction for the next image.

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This Goggle Earth view from the

SSE (arrow direction in previous map) shows the GPS track.

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Larkspur near parking

 

 

 

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Mariposa lilies.

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Marker for the new Moapa Kiosk, to be constructed.  More at page bottom.

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The group heads through the gap in the

1st limestone ridge, into Jack’s Pockets. Blue dots show the high route as indicated in the 1st two images.

 

 

 

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Paperbag bush.

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Evening Primrose.

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The 1st significant climb is up a nearly

vertical 8’ wall; however, the rock is very frictional.

 

 

 

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View S.  For a while, the trail slightly descends near eastside cliffs.

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Jorge at R.  He likes to wear black shirts

on sunny, hot days.

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After leaving the cliff-side trail, one

cuts uphill, aiming for the R side of the lump.

 

 

 

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View SW from 5800’ saddle.

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Now we’re up at the main ridge, view SW.

Jan easily climbs up the 4th class onto

the knife-edge ridge; it is easier to go

to the right, descending slightly

(through the shadows), then climb an

Easy class 3 chute on the NW side.

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Up the optional 4th class.  Pic by

Chris M.

 

 

 

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Jorge on the thinnest part of the knife edge.

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Very close to the top, past the hard part,

Jan had bad vertigo and turned back

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On top, view NE.

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Arrogance.

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Bill watches as Chris eats an elaborate sandwich.

 

 

 

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Chris stays on top to take photos.

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Heading NE along knife edge.

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Photo by Chris M.

 

 

 

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Chris M up there.

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Descending off SE side of cliffs,

to talus slope. One can avoid this cliff altogether by going an extra 100’ NE on the ridge, before dropping off SE.

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Joel heads down the talus, to end up on L side of big wall.

 

 

 

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Globe mallow.

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Heading SW along base of big wall.

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Claret cup.

 

 

 

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View up as Bill downclimbs last wall.

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Phacelias.

 

 

 

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Aster.

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Strawberry hedgehog.

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Poppy.

 

 

 

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Bee on thistle.

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The last wash out.

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Desert Marigold.

 

 

 

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More larkspur.

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Peak to NW, with cacti at bottom.

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The Moapa kiosk… A few weeks back I was contacted by a BLM contractor, who asked for permission to use some of my photographs for an “informational kiosk at the bottom of the Moapa Peak trail”. I told her this wasn’t really a trail, at least in the sense of something the normal person would complete.  But, it seems they are going ahead with the design.