Hiking Around Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
 Hikers departing the summit (view N) |
Overview Turtlehead Peak is fairly difficult hike with some short, Class-3 sections. The trail climbs about 2,000 feet in 2.5 miles, which is steep enough, but the hard part is climbing the 800 vertical-feet in the gully system that leads to the summit ridge in only 0.4 miles. There is a constructed "trail" all the way to the top, but it is difficult, loose, and hard to follow higher up. Presented here are photos of the descent. For details of the ascent, including maps and GPS coordinates, see Turtlehead Mountain Route. Also link to Summit Views. |
 Hiker starting down the summit slope via The Hard Way (view N) |
 Summit slope gets steep via The Hard Way (view N) |
 More gentle terrain near the summit ridge (view NE) |
 More gentle terrain near the summit ridge (view N) |
 A bit of steep trail just above summit ridge (view NE) |
 Hikers dropping off summit ridge to the west (view NW) |
 Traversing across top of steep rocky gullies (view N) |
 Some Class-3 scramble-downs (view W) |
 Descending across steep, rocky slope (view W) |
 Descending across steep, rocky slope (view W) |
 Descending across steep, rocky slope (view W) |
 Returning to the bottom of the gully (view SW) |
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 Hikers crossing sandstone towards the main wash (view NW) |
 The trailhead comes into view (view S) |
Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 180306
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