Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel and I at the trailhead, Mount Wilson behind us. We followed the valley to the left of the mountain then ascended a broad sandstone bowl to the highest point on the right.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel and Joshua tree, one of the few left in the area after a significant fire two years ago.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Yucca and Mount Wilson
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Entering the valley of First Creek
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
The first ledge
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
The creek is hemmed in by boulders and cliffs. Some of the boulders are as big as houses.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Concretions in sandstone
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
First creek is usually dry but was running in some places on the day of our hike.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
The sandstone varies from gray and beige to pink.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Some ledges are mottled gray and pink.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
A small notch cutting back to the right leads up out of First Creek, culminating in the 5.6 crack which provides access to the sandstone bowl above.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel ascending ledges in the notch.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel in the crack. Although not particularly difficult, it was pretty intimidating, particularly for someone (me) whose climbing skills top out at about 5.8.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel went first and climbed slowly and carefully, calling out each hold as he found it.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
He's actually above the crux at this point; the holds in the upper section are larger and closer together, but on the other hand, the exposure is greater.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Photo by Daniel of me working my way up. Not as difficult as I anticipated while watching Daniel from below, but alot more intense than I remembered from my last ascent a few years ago.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Pretty much there now, so I can afford to smile. Our route traverses to the left above and behind me, and is steeper than it looks from here.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel on the traverse.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Lunch at the base of the bowl. We've just completed the second difficult scramble of the route, with no significant difficulties remaining, so we're feeling pretty relaxed.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Prickly vegetation - cactus and agave.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Gnarled old ponderosa pine at the base of the bowl
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
View down across First Creek. Waterfall across the way is about 250' high.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel in the bowl. This was one of the easier sections.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Smearing up the ledges.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Weathered sandstone face on the summit ridge
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Gnarled tree limb etched by wind-blown sand and/or ice pellets.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
More weathered sandstone.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
You don't want to accidentally trip over one of these when you're wearing light hiking shoes.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Gnarled and stunted pine at the edge of the cliff.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
This old snag was a beacon for us, marking the rim of the summit cliff, as we ascended the bowl.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Photo by Daniel of me on the summit ridge, composed of deeply-weathered sandstone.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
View north along the sandstone peaks of Red Rocks recreation area. Las Vegas starts about 5 miles to the right of this photo.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
View south along the crest of Mount Wilson. Snow lingers in shady spots, old and crusty with a couple of inches of fresh powder drifted on top.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Looking down the 2000' east face of Mount Wilson. This is the hard way up. The tip of the mountain's shadow at the top of the photo is 3000' feet below us.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Daniel studying a pothole in upper First Creek on the way down. We didn't descend our ascent route, but instead hiked west along the sandstone summit ridge until we could find a way down into First Creek, a mile or more upstream of where we'd left it on our way up.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
More mottled sandstone. The white stain along the water is lime from the limestone which overlies the sandstone (via a famous thrust fault) to the west.
Photos from hike up Mount Wilson outside of Las Vegas with Daniel
On our first day in Las Vegas, Daniel and I drove west of town to the Red Rocks recreation area and hiked up Mount Wilson via First Creek and the sandstone bowl on the SW side of the mountain. It was a beautiful clear cool day with a light breeze and no new snow despite flurries the day before. The hike involves several sections of scrambling including one 5.6 crack which was a little longer than I remembered. The hike was longer than I recalled too, 4 1/2 hours to reach the summit but fortunately quicker on the descent; nonetheless it was dusk when we returned to the car.
Mossite - moss in the bed of upper First Creek which has been cemented into stone by lime in the water. In many places the gravel in the streambed had also been cemented into concrete by the lime-rich water.

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