Northshore Ridge Traverse and Lava Butte

pics by Harlan W.S. & Susan E.M.
Jan 02, 2011

Well, I felt sick to start the day... so I figured that a hike lead by a 76-year-old guy couldn't be too hard, could it? I did turn down the chance to get up really early and be in a snowstorm. This way it was just 44F, perfect shorts and t-shirt weather.

I have been on this ridge solo before; it is a lot more fun when you can look around and take pictures of people. Afterwards we did a great 4.7 mile RT to Lava Butte and back; I would have great pictures, except I left my camera in the wash a mile form the peak. Susan took a few pics, and I was able to find my camera later. I must get a bright-colored camera case..

AS we laft Lava Butte, the sky started to look pretty ominous. The next morning we awoke to 2" of snow in Las Vegas.

Northshore Peak Ridge. Park by the outhouses on the N side of the road.	Early on, we see the Spring Mts in the distance.	Bowl of Fire is across the road.
		Booth Pinnacle (L) and Ptramid.
	View toward the Muddy Mts.	View SSW from the top of Northshore Peak.
Susan's pic; heading down, Lava Butte is visible.		The easiest route is near the edge.
Our nest goal: the lower summit of Northshore, to the SW.
	Sheep Trails on the talus slopes to NW.
	View S. near top of lower peak.	Judy come up the ridge.

	Susan and Judy.
		View SSW from 2nd summit.
Pic by Susan. Shorts and T-shirt weather.
	Booth and Pyramid again. From here, Pyramid looks like a pyramid, and Saddle Mt looks like a saddle!	Heading N from base of lower peak. View S.

	Now on to Lava Butte; we started for the top ~12:45PM.
	Susan's pic of Lake Las Vegas.	Arrogance! ...on Lava Butte.
	What the heck was the coyote eating?