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Mica Peak -- North Ridge Descent
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Gold Butte National Monument
Mica Peak
Mica PeakMica Peak trailhead along Vermiculite Mine Road (view S)

Overview

Mica Peak, via the North Ridge, is a fun hike deep in the heart of Gold Butte National Monument. The route ascends the fairly steep and strenuous, but safe, North Ridge, which is followed south towards the summit. Parts of the upper ridgelines are rocky, but the craggier portions can be bypassed on one side or the other. The summit is guarded by rocky crags, but the easiest route cuts across the north face just below the crags to gain the summit from the west ridge.

Presented here are photos of the descent. For details of the hike, including driving directions, maps, and GPS coordinates, see the Mica Peak -- North Ridge webpage.

Mica Peak
Departing the summit (view W along ridge)
Mica Peak
Descending towards enormous boulder (view NW)
Mica Peak
Passing enormous boulder (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending steep hillside (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending steep hillside (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending steep hillside; staying left of boulder field (view N)
Mica Peak
Angling down and across steep north facing sideslopes (view NE)
Mica Peak
Crossing steep sideslopes aiming for the North Ridge (view NE)
Mica Peak
Better to avoid descending steeply the north gully (view N)
Mica Peak
Crossing steep sideslopes below lowest rock outcrop (view NE)
Mica Peak
Arriving back on North Ridge (view NE)
Mica Peak
Passing left of large white boulders (view N)
mica peak
Joshua Tree growing back after the fire (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending North Ridge (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending North Ridge; stay right of upcoming crags (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending North Ridge (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending broad left side of North Ridge (view N)
Mica Peak
Returning past the second mining cairn (others are off route)
Mica Peak
Starting off North Ridge into broad gully with penstemon (view NE)
Mica Peak
Passing first mining claim cairn (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending canyon towards spring (view N)
Mica Peak
Entering dense vegetation at the spring (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending old road past Snowflake Mine (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending old road past Snowflake Mine (view N)
Mica Peak
Descending old road with lots of flowers (view E)
Mica Peak
Arriving at the trailhead (view N)

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240325

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