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100k topo map. The first part of the drive, N from Moapa, is parallel to a RR track. The rough road begins past the Rox siding, when the route suddenly veers E. |
24k map. The northern part of the loop (above, our descent) is class 2; the more direct southern part (our ascent) has a few class 3 sections. |
On the drive in, east of the tracks, are intricately carved colonnades in the lithified gravel. |
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Desert tortoise. |
Tortoise with human for scale. |
Paintbrush and strawberry hedgehog cactus. |
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Mariposa Lilies. |
Much of the ascent is on bare rocky washes. |
Our ascent involved a few class 3 sections till we came over the rim. |
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Near the top; view ENE to Mormon Peak (left) and the "shark's tooth" at right. |
On top, view ~ SE. |
More view ~ESE. The sharp peak below is nameless. |
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The "shark's tooth"; view E from near summit. |
Panoramic view ~NE from top. |
The ridge in the distance is Moapa Peak (slightly left of center). Here is a close-up of Moapa. |
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Nick and Pierre head down to North Mormon Peak. |
View back SE; at right is cliff wall on SE side of Mormon. |
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View towards the Shark's Tooth. The descent looked a little uncertain (crappy rock, unknown drops), so we decided to turn back. |
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View NE from N. Mormon Peak. |
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View of Mormon (R) from N. Mormon Peak. |
AYC. |
Claret cups. |
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Nameless lump |
Fremont Phacaelia. |
Old man cactus? |
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Phlox. |
Mainly Four-O'Clocks. |
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More strawberry hedgehog. |
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