Muddy Mountain, Muddy Highpoint, Arrow Canyon Mountains

8-Apr-67

By: Arkel Erb

none

The intersection of Interstate 15 and New Highway 40 saw 12 DPSers on the morning of Sat Apr 8, located about 30 miles NE of Las Vegas. We Caravaned to within about 5 miles of the Muddy Hi point, where the road to the old Colorock Mine disintegrated within a quarter mile of the mine. We hiked to the saddle separating the Hi Point from Muddy Peak, passing many nice red rock formations and a natural arch, and a jug handle. We then followed the ridge eastward a bit then south off on a side ridge, along with some class three rock to the top of Muddy Pk, 5363'. This summit can be reached by a class 2 route from the east. Seven of the eleven Muddy Peakers continued on to do the Hi Point at 5432'. Our descent was down a canyon to the north where the route was "enhanced" by some almost too difficult dry waterfalls.

On Sunday the group, now numbering nine, motored to the Arrow Canyon Range. This mtn group is composed of a several-miles long ridge, with high spots just over 5000'. Four climbers, using a 1:250,000 topo sheet (which made everything seem basically at the same elevation), first climbed to a point about 5215', one-half mile south of the Arrow bench mark, 5205'. From here we saw a point to the south that looked slightly higher. So we dropped back to a saddle and did the top of the Arrow Canyon Range, 5226', where we found a cairn and register.

Muddy Peak is a fine monument located in beautiful country. Summit views take in Lake Mead, the red rocks of the Valley of Fire, and the red rocks passed toward the summit. The upper rocks of the Muddy Mountains are limestone. Muddy Peak merits a fine climb and we hope to nominate this peak as an addition to our Qualifying Peak list at our October Meeting.


Detailed information for visiting one or more peaks mentioned in this article can be found in the
Desert Peak Section Road and Peak Guides

DPS Archives Index | Desert Peaks Section