We were in Las Vegas so I could attend a software conference and Carrie could get some Vitamin D.

Our flight got in just before 7am Vegas time. We couldn't check into the hotel, so what better to do than go for a hike! I had been out to Lake Mead along the Northshore Road last spring, so I wanted to show Carrie this interesting area.

For this trip, I had picked 3 peaks we could do in a loop.

The hike started along side Northshore Road. We started up a wash called Cottonwood Wash. Our instructions were to follow the wash about a mile to 2 cottonwood trees. Unfortunately this wash experienced a huge flash flood last fall and the cottonwood trees were uprooted.

The wash turned out to be an amazing hike, with narrow sections, numerous rock types, and the colors were amazing. We were both very impressed with our selection of this hike... so far.

Eventually the trail leaves the wash and starts climbing a ridge toward Hamblin Mountain. Once we got within 1/2 a mile of the peak, we spotted desert bighorn sheep near the top of the peak. Now we were even more stoked about this hike!

The top of Hamblin Mountain had great views and a summit register. We took some photos and signed in, but we had more peaks on the agenda. So we headed west towards West Hamblin Mountain.

The nice trail we had to the top of Hamblin Mountain was history now and we had to go cross-country. The ridge was somewhat rocky and loose, but we made our way to the base of West Hamblin. From there it was a 300 foot scramble to the summit.

After signing into the register, we quickly returned to the Hamblin/West Hamblin saddle and descended a gully on the north side of the saddle.

We basically continued almost due north to the summit of Basalt Peak (Peak 842 on the topo). This ascent was pretty tame except for the final 20 feet, which required an easy scramble to the top of a boulder. We found another register on this summit.

We then hiked east and dropped back into Cottonwood Wash.

Given the temps were about 25 degrees warmer than Idaho, we were sweaty and tired after the 8 mile hike. The stats weren't bad, but the rocky terrain after Hamblin Mountain wore us out. Great trip regardless!

Take Lake Mead Parkway until you meet Northshore Road. Turn left onto Northshore Road. Beware that there is a $20 entry fee for Lake Mead NRA. Northshore Road is paved.

The trailhead is located on the left hand side of the road at Milemarker 18.

See the trip tracks above. There is a trail once out of the wash that leads to the summit. It is tricky to explain the different turns, but the track above will get you there!

This trip report has detailed photos showing the route and numerous waypoints.