Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada


There are several red rock canyons, the one close to Las Vegas is the 5th most visited destination for rock climbers in the USA. We haven't climbed for about two years, but there are some friends there and we would like to see what they are doing and maybe try the rock again. 

Top Rope style

Level 10.10C

There are so many cars that all the parking spots are full, so we park on one side of the road. From the second parking area (calico II), our friends take us into a narrow canyon were we find more than 10 groups climbing "top-rope" style. Levels are from 10.7 to >10.10D and our friends are opening routes up to 10.10D. The routes are bolted and have solid ancors at the top. The rock here is redish sandstone. 

Artur and I try a 10.7. How good it is to feel the rock again on my hands! I am surprised of myself to be able to reach the top of my route, although I finish completely exhausted. Soon after that is gets too dark to keep climbing. 

We camp in the first-come first-served red rock canyon campground. There are still spot during the night, although it is almost full. There is water, but only pit toilets. The campsites have a big table covered by a sunroof, which may be great in summer. The night is very cold, below 0C, but there is no wind. The moon is appearing now as a thin crescent over the horizon.

Turtlehead Peak trail

The next morning, we hike up Turtlehead Peak, the highest of the park. We park at Sandstone Quarry parking lot. The hike is just 4 miles one way. It is flat the first half, and steep up the second half. The trail keeps dividing itself so that the mountain is full of trails with no clear direction. Lucklily, the Turtlehead peak is clear and we just hike in its general direction. One can't get lost there. 
In 1hour 20 min we reach the summit. It is after nine in the morning and we are alone when we get there. For 45 minutes we are enjoying the incredible view of Las Vegas and its casinos and the red rock mountains that surround us.


We arrive back at the car at noon, and it takes us a 14 hours drive to get home. Was it worth it? Yes, of course.