Moapa Peak LVMC trip

pics by Harlan W.S. and Chris M.
May 2, 2009

Previous trip, with more directions, here.

This was my forth time up Moapa, on two-year intervals. The herd paths have gotten much more distinct in that span.

GPS track (red), actually from a previous trip. The arrow gives the view direction for the next image.	This Goggle Earth view from the SSE (arrow direction in previous map) shows the GPS track.	Larkspur near parking
Mariposa lilies.	Marker for the new Moapa Kiosk, to be constructed. More at page bottom.	The group heads through the gap in the 1^st limestone ridge, into Jack’s Pockets. Blue dots show the high route as indicated in the 1^st two images.
Paperbag bush.	Evening Primrose.	The 1^st significant climb is up a nearly vertical 8’ wall; however, the rock is very frictional.
View S. For a while, the trail slightly descends near eastside cliffs.	Jorge at R. He likes to wear black shirts on sunny, hot days.	After leaving the cliff-side trail, one cuts uphill, aiming for the R side of the lump.
View SW from 5800’ saddle.	Now we’re up at the main ridge, view SW. Jan easily climbs up the 4^th class onto the knife-edge ridge; it is easier to go to the right, descending slightly (through the shadows), then climb an Easy class 3 chute on the NW side.	Up the optional 4^th class. Pic by Chris M.
Jorge on the thinnest part of the knife edge.	Very close to the top, past the hard part, Jan had bad vertigo and turned back
On top, view NE.	Arrogance.	Bill watches as Chris eats an elaborate sandwich.
Chris stays on top to take photos.	Heading NE along knife edge.	Photo by Chris M.
Chris M up there.	Descending off SE side of cliffs, to talus slope. One can avoid this cliff altogether by going an extra 100’ NE on the ridge, before dropping off SE.	Joel heads down the talus, to end up on L side of big wall.
Globe mallow.	Heading SW along base of big wall.	Claret cup.
	View up as Bill downclimbs last wall.	Phacelias.
Aster.	Strawberry hedgehog.	Poppy.
Bee on thistle.	The last wash out.	Desert Marigold.
More larkspur.	Peak to NW, with cacti at bottom.

The Moapa kiosk… A few weeks back I was contacted by a BLM contractor, who asked for permission to use some of my photographs for an “informational kiosk at the bottom of the Moapa Peak trail”. I told her this wasn’t really a trail, at least in the sense of something the normal person would complete. But, it seems they are going ahead with the design.