birdandhike.com logo
Home | Wilderness | Hiking | Hiking NWR | The Ascent
Gass Peak Route -- The Descent
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Gass Peak
Gass Peak
Hikers on the summit. Descend just past the tripod tower (view NE)

Note: May 2018. The alternative descent route reportedly has a lot of loose gravel that gives way under foot.

Overview

Gass Peak is the highest summit in the Las Vegas Range, the long ridge that forms the north edge of the Las Vegas Valley. This hike is 6.5 miles round-trip and fairly stout. The route follows a series of side-ridges on the northeast side of the mountain to the summit ridge, and then follows the summit ridge to the peak. Views from the summit provide a striking contrast: to the north lies a vast and glorious wilderness, and to the south lies a vast urban area.

Presented here are photos of the descent. A full description of the route and summit views are presented elsewhere.

Gass Peak
Just past the tripod tower, hikers begin descent (view NE)
Gass Peak
Hikers just east of the solar panels (view E)
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak Gass Peak
Gass Peak
Descending the ridgeline (view NE)
Gass Peak
Hikers turning down the alternate return route (view NE)
Gass Peak
Hikers starting down the very steep old road (view N)
Gass Peak
Hikers on very steep old road (view N)
Gass Peak
A respite from the steep (view N)
Gass Peak
Top of the next steep section (view N)
Gass Peak
Second steep descent (view N towards Gass Spring)
Gass Peak
Passing Gass Spring (view N)
Gass Peak
Old road winds across a wash (view NE)
Gass Peak
Hikers returning past the fork in the road (view NE)
Gass Peak
Heading across flat country (view NE)
Gass Peak
Continuing across flat country (view NE)
Gass Peak
Approaching the trailhead (view NE)
Gass Peak
Hikers arriving at the trailhead (view NE)

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240324

Hiking Around DNWR Hiking Around Las Vegas Glossary Copyright, Conditions, Disclaimer Home
Google Ads