Arrow Ridge Redux (N of Las Vegas)

Harlan W. S.
Sun., Dec 11, 2005

For the route map and track, and older photos, look here.

This is an easy mountain to approach by car; drive about 42 miles north of Vegas (from i15 and 95 intersection), and park your car on the side of us 93. Then strike east to the approach wash. The route north to the highpoint is class 2, with one section where the direct route requires easy class 3. However, the ridge between the highpoint (5226' on map, "Big Arrow" of Jim Boone) and the true Arrow Peak (USGS survey point 5205') is very rugged; the half mile between the two might take an hour of "hiking". The rock is very frictional, but since very few people go here, you must test all handholds and footholds. This route would be deathly hot much of the year. There is no trail.

View W down the approach wash to 1^st saddle.	Looking S toward saddle. Approach wash is on right.	The trip N to the highpoint (5226')

NE to Moapa Peak.	Last ridge before highpoint; view ~S.	On highpoint, view N. True Arrow is the dark gray mountain in the middle of the photo. The highpoint is a rather nondescript summit, by comparison.

View S, descending highpoint.	These are nameless intermediate peaks on way to true Arrow (looking N).	View S, as Steve skirts ridge.

	On E side of ridge, view S.	This one stretch is a bit hairy; hard to capture in a photo.

Finally we can see the cairn on top of true Arrow. View N. Sharp peak to left of summit is Broken Arrow.		Now we descend true Arrow; view S.

Tabulate coral, possibly Favosites.	Purple Penstemons, maybe limestone beardstongues. I didn't expect to see many flowers.	More descent, view ~S.

View E. Now we are taking the descent canyon. It is important to find the correct canyon-- this canyon is among the few without impassable cliffs or dryfalls.	Maclurites, an Ordovician snail.	Toward the bottom of the canyon, view E. To reach true Arrow, it is easiest to go up this wash.

View E from near the road (us 93). The high ridge contains both True Arrow (left side) and the highpoint (right side). The light-colored tan band is quartzite; the rest of the rock consists of varicolored dolo-limestone.