Hiking Turtlehead Peak

OVERVIEW:

Turtlehead Peak is one of the most easily accessible peaks to reach in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, but is also a strenuous hike due to elevation gains, difficult terrain and intermittent rock scrambling. The Turtlehead Peak trail is 5 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of roughly 2,000 feet. This hike is for beginner and intermediate hikers.

THE HIKE:

The trailhead to the hike begins at Sandstone Quarry, the third parking area on the east side of the Red Rock Scenic Drive Loop. Maps are provided at the park entrance to assist in finding parking locations and scenic overlooks along the Red Rock Scenic Drive Loop. This parking area is also the trailhead to the Calico Tanks, so be sure to follow the signs and trail markers for Turtlehead Peak.

The trail starts on a wide gravel path and leads you between towering sandstone rocks, but quickly turns into a wash full of rocks and pebbles. You will meander through this wash for approximately 0.5-0.75 miles before exiting the quarry of towering sandstone rocks and heading up a slightly steeper incline. Signs and trail markers are scattered periodically within the wash and are visible up the mountain as you begin your ascent outside of the wash.

As you begin up the slightly steeper incline outside of the quarry wash there will be a well traveled trail that winds it's way up the slopes. Once you are roughly 1.25-1.50 miles into the hike, the trail will become more and more unclear as the slopes begin to steepen and require the need for some intermittent rock scrambling. As you are navigating this ravine you will be facing a ridge/saddle further up the slope and Turtlehead Peak will be on your righthand side. There really isn't a bad way to reach the ridge at the top of the ravine, although I would recommend to stay on the left side of the ravine. From my experiences, the left side of the ravine will require less rock scrambling and steers you away from the slippery slopes of the Turtlehead Peak rockfall.

Once you reach the ridge, you will see the East side of the mountain (The West side is a cliff) and will hike this side of the mountain until you reach the peak. Upon reaching this ridge, you will be met with a view of the colorful brownstone canyon on the East side of Turtlehead Peak. This ridge is approximately 2.0 miles into the hike and the final accent up the "backside"(East side) of the mountain will have a more gradual slope compared to the prior half mile. There is not a clear hiking path on this side, but I would recommend to stick to the right side as you face the Eastern slope as it is easy to weave your way through the various shrubs and trees to find the summit.

Once you have reached the summit (~6,325 ft.), you will be met with a 360 degree view that includes all of Red Rock Canyon, the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Mead, and much more. The summit's stunning views make for a great place to have lunch, so bring some food, take a seat and enjoy the beauty of the desert.

To make it back down to the parking area (which is visible from the peak), just retrace the path you took during accent. The return journey has usually taken about an hour less than the accent for me. Overall, it is a great hike that provides great views, great fun and definitely a great workout if you hike during the warm months!

NOTES:

Throughout the hike you will want to be careful for dangerous desert dwellers, be prepared for the potentially fatal heat, and bring protective gear. This hike could lead you to cross paths with rattlesnakes, scorpions or venomous spiders that may be sheltered behind boulders or under rocks and shrubs, so use caution and watch where you put your hands and feet. During the Summer months the heat can reach averages above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to bring plenty of water! For protective gear, you'll want shoes with ankle stability, clothes that provide protection against the sun (i.e. long sleeves, long pants, hats), sunscreen and a general sense of space so you don't find yourself brushing up against a cactus and experiencing cactus spines in your legs.

Apart from the desert dwellers, you may also come across mule deer, sagebrush lizards, gray foxes, bighorn sheep and many others. These animals could still pose a threat to your well-being, so maintain safe distances at all times. Along this hike you will also encounter the beauty of the deserts plants and wildflowers. You may come across yucca plants, joshua trees, buckhorn chulla, hedgehog cactus, pincushion cactus and a wide variety of others. Most desert plants/trees are very rough and have sharp edges or needle-like characteristics, so be careful not to cut yourself while admiring these unique plants and wildflowers. Rocks during rock scrambling areas of the hike are also very sharp, so gloves may come in handy to prevent from deep abrasions to the hands.