North Peak via Goodman and Lost Creek (NV)

pics by Harlan W. S.
April 21, 2010

It snowed and blew hard for 4 of the 5 hours that I spent on this trip; yet the sun was shining most of the day. Winds were definitely over 50 mph on the ridge (winds were 48 mph at the Red Rock Visitor Center).

This route was excellently cairned by Branch Whitney at the time of the hike. If you join his site, you can get the details to start the hike and GPS waypoints for critical sections. It’s called “3+” and I’d tend to agree. Keeping it at “3+” requires you follow all the cairns; going straight up the wash requires a bit more familiarity with subtle holds. Up high, and the NE side of the peak, you will hit frictional rock with class 3 holds, but significant exposure; if you slip and fall, good-bye.

In 2003, I descended this ascent route (except we avoided the peaks). But then I was following Branch Whitney near sunset, so I really wasn’t motivated to learn the route!

GPS trace.	The route very quickly gets you up on the ledges…	…Then travels S over a bench.
One heads up a wash. This is the ridge L of the peak; the peak is rockier. .	Damsel and Calico in the distance.	If you stay in the wash, you will have to climb class 4-ish stuff with shallow handholds.
You can go directly up this stuff (as I did), but the cairns lead to an easier route at R.	Primrose!	More of the tougher stuff in the wash. The peak is above.
Then the route turns L-ish (S) up a gully into Ponderosa.		At the top of the last class 2 gully, the route heads SE then makes a sharp R around the bend…
…and skirts the exposed NE face.		View back SE, from NE face.
After a brief traverse, the route climbs rapidly.	One goes up this beehive sandstone, then cuts L…	View back SE, over the traverse.
Icebox Canyon.	View NE from top of Goodman.	Bridge from Goodman.
	Climbing again, view back at Goodman.
Now on the plateau, I approach North Peak; Bridge at L.		View from N Peak; limestone N Peak is in the distance.
View from N Peak to La Madre.	The graupel snow was collecting in the agaves, but otherwise didn’t stick.	View up at Snoopy as the snow continues.
Wildlife on the Rocky Gap Road! With route-finding confusion, I took 4 hrs to get to N Peak from my car, then 45 minutes to get down!