Arch Mt. & Arch Highpoint, AZ (Lake Mead)

Pics by Harlan W.S.
Jan. 26, 2008

The route shown on the maps was scenic and challenging – with 5400’ accumulated elevation at day’s end – but I wouldn’t recommend this way to get to the named peak (the "Arch Mountain" on the topo map). I’d take a canoe from Bonelli landing, up to a point directly east of the Arch east ridge, then head west. Canoes and kayaks can be rented here. It may also be possible to climb the peak from a NE ravine.

There was no register that we could see on the named Arch Peak – just a collapsed survey cairn covered with bird poop. Nor did we see an arch; I’m guessing the arch is way down in the Narrows, since that’s the way most people see the mountain.

There are two mountains of interest: the Arch Mountain named on USGS maps, and a higher peak to the S, on the same ridge. Here they are as seen from the NV side (SE view from Boulder Peak ).	100k topo. We went counter-clockwise on the main Loop.	24k topo of the route. The route we took from the highpoint, back to the car, was courtesy Henry and Anya D. Blue dots show hypothetical rock route for "canoe" trip

On the shore walk, one sees sparkly rocks made of selenite gypsum.	Here’s an idea of the size of the gypsum crystals.	The gypsum exposures start a band of fine-grained gypsiferous rocks.

This pack of wild gypsum animals was howling at us.	The beach walks become more and more convoluted.	Finally the beach walk became so convoluted, we decided to descend. The sharp peak at right is the true Arch Mountain.

CP tops out of a 4th class dirt chimney.	The two dark peaks are Pyramid (L) and Booth Pinnacle (R). This is a side-on view of the range; normally they appear very sharp. View NNE.	Prayer flags (given the current real estate slump).

Ridge crest, view WNW to snow-covered Charleston Peak.	Resting at ridge crest. The "true Arch"is just R of CP’s head.	View of the nasty ridge. We were in for a few surprises – several rotten knife edges. Muddy Mt in on the skyline at left.

CP tries to regain balance on a teetering boulder.	This edge had even more exposure.	Finally, the summit of true Arch.

	Panorama at summit, to E & SE.

CP down in the pass, heading back W. We decide to sidehill on the E (L) side of the knife edges for the way back.	We saw a register on this intermediate peak.	The register is near an old benchmark; I don’t think this mark was even used in the last survey.

Heading S on ridge, toward highpoint of range.	The highpoint, from N.

Note Nick N and Desert Danny went to the true Arch in 11-11-2002. Since they left the note here, on the highpoint, I’d guess there was no register on the true peak back then, either.	Heading S off highpoint.	View of the lake over some rough terrain.

Our car is somewhere out there.	The last dirt slot canyon.	Trivia: The original site for "Hoover Dam" (then known as Boulder Dam, because it was originally planned for Boulder Canyon) was between Arch and Guardian (from 1926 USGS map).