Northshore Peak Loop with "Knife Edge"

pics by Harlan W. S.
March 23, 2010

This loop, more-or-less, is described by Branch Whitney. The total distance, with the road-walk, is a bit over 4.1 miles, and the accumulated elevation gain is ~2200’. Of course this trailless hike would be fatally hot in the summer.

The day was windy (gusts above 30 mph), but that condition made the trip pleasantly cool.

By staying farther east, the initial walk is of moderate grade and on rock most of the way.	Northshore Peak looks impressive on the approach via Northshore Road.	On the way, one sees the perched syncline on Murphy’s Peak.
View, while heading up the gentle east ridge.	The limestone is full of ring-like arrangements of chert.	On top, near the cairn.
	View WNW from summit.	View SW from summit.
View N from summit.	Muddy Range.	Booth Pinnacle and Pyramid to SE.
Bitter Range and Longwell Ridge.	Now I look W to the next sharp peak.	The sharp peak as I descend.
I turn around and look E to Northshore.	Sharp Peak.	Sharp Peak, cairn now visible.
Back at Northshore.	Muddies, Bowl of Fire in foreground.	Lake Mead to SW.
Charleston in distance.	Descending on W side of sharp peak.
View back at Northshore Pk, near end of desert hike; these were the first native flowers I saw.