Sentinel (near Lake Mead)

pics by Harlan W. S. + CP
Nov. 30, 2008

We were scouting out this alternate route for access to the Pinto Valley and Boulder Wash peaks. The older report is here. This is one of Nick N’s favorite hikes.

There is NO trail, and no water. This hike would be fatally hot in late spring, summer, or early fall. Meetup.com folks: there is a lot of loose rock on descent, and the navigation is very tricky, so think twice about bringing 30 people out here.

We took the Henry D route in, through a wash and old road. Near Sandstone Spring, you should actually follow the blue dots. Near the summit, follow the blue dots for descent to avoid the loosest rock.	The road is very washed out, but makes a decent walking surface. Don’t leave it too soon, or you will cross multitudinous deep washes.	East of the spring area; Sentinel is in the background.
	Every dryfall has a class 2-3 walk-around.	On the ridge, we follow a sheep trail.
View west, approaching the steep limestone ramp.	go up on the left, at a shoulder where the sheep trail peters out.
The little shoulder is below. This slope is very steep, but the rock is tough and very frictional		View east, as DB and CP top out.
	You can avoid any knife edge by taking a trail on the N side of this last ridge.	The knife edge (thanks CP).
	On top!	This panorama include the last photo, and Booth Pinnacle and Pyramid to the R, with Lake Mead in the back.
Itchy foot (thanks CP).	View ENE to Charleston.
View W on descent. The Pinto Valley is at far R.	Descent valley. It’s loose to this point.
Coming down.	Later, there are a few tricky Class 3 sections. Avoid the very last big drop by climbing R (NE) out of the canyon. (See GPS trace.)	Walking home up the wash.