"Tinaja Peak"

Mountain/Rock

"Tinaja Peak"

Page Type: Mountain/Rock

Location: Nevada, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 36.17031°N / 115.45113°W

Activities: Scrambling

Season: Spring, Fall, Winter

Elevation: 4760 ft / 1451 m

Page By: Bob Sihler

Created/Edited: May 19, 2009 / Dec 7, 2009

Object ID: 514757

Hits: 895

Page Score: 89.49% - 22 Votes

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Table of Contents

Overview

"Tinaja Peak" is a minor summit in the Calico Hills, a small area of colorful sandstone peaks and outcrops in the eastern section of Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Don't let the adjective minor deter you, though; climbing the peak requires several pitches of Class 3 scrambling (and expect to encounter Class 4 and "easy" Class 5 unless you are very familiar with the easiest route up, which I am not) and some enjoyable route-finding challenges, the views are outstanding, and the peak is packed with tinajas, basins that collect rainwater and provide vital sustenance for desert wildlife. Another precious find here is solitude. The area is very popular with hikers and technical climbers, and it can seem like a zoo at times, but this peak, while not some epic distance from the beaten path, is far enough from it that you are almost certain to leave behind the casual, the curious, and the loud that throng the nearby trails and the rock outcrops by the trailhead.

In fact, the tinajas on the peak (I found six water-filled ones and a few more dry ones in the vicinity of the summit) are the reason behind my nickname for this peak, which does not have an official name and does not even have an elevation listed on USGS topo maps. I am under no illusions that this is the only peak in the Calico Hills or in the wider Red Rocks area that has tinajas (I know for a fact that it is not), and I make no claims that it even has more tinajas than any other peak does; I simply find the "name" fitting based on my experience with the peak (good thing I didn't climb the peak in July, when I might have found all the tinajas dry and been forced to name the peak Mt. Hollowed-out, Dark-stained Depressions). Anyway, I gladly welcome any information pertaining to this peak's local name if it has one.

Note: the tinajas are crucial to the survival of desert species both aquatic and terrestrial (examples-- brine shrimp and desert bighorn sheep). Please do not wade, swim, or bathe in; drink from; or otherwise defile this or any other tinaja. Also, be cautious around any tinaja. The ones I found on this peak were not deep enough for a person to drown in, and the depressions were not too steep and smooth for climbing in and out, but some tinajas are deep enough, with walls that are high and smooth enough, to turn them into graves for people who fall into them; even mountain lions and bighorn sheep have been found drowned in desert tinajas.

Route Information

RT distance is about 2 miles, and elevation gain is about 500’ (4280’-4760’). Expect Class 3 and probably Class 4 scrambling.

Approach

From the Sandstone Quarry Trailhead (see directions below), hike 2-3 minutes along the trail to Turtlehead Peak and Calico Tanks and go right at a signed junction towards Calico Tanks. "Tinaja Peak" was visible from the TH and still is, so start heading to it; you should be able to find a use trail, but if you don't, it still is no great task to access the base of the peak; just try not to trample the vegetation as you do so.

The Way NOT To Go

It would be difficult, and perhaps fun- and secret-spoiling, for me to describe the route to the summit in exact detail. So, for a change of pace, I will explain how not to reach the summit:

As you approach Tinaja Peak, you will notice a sandstone ramp beneath an overhang and think it looks like a nice, and the only reasonable, way to access the upper sections of the peak.

Reaching the ramp and traversing it are, in fact, easy to do, but the ramp is going to be a red herring for most climbers. If you look at the right side of this picture, you will see a short slot-like canyon seeming to lead straight from the point where the ramp will have to curve left around the side of the peak (this picture shows a better view of the slot and the way up the eastern side of the peak). When the ramp curves, you will find yourself facing the slot instead of an easy continuation of your route.

The slot is narrow enough for most athletic adults to leap across, but it is an "uphill" leap and you will land on sloping sandstone, where a slip and fall are likely. An experienced climber could drop into the slot (it is maybe 8 feet deep at this point), move left (uphill) a few yards and use stemming or chimneying to climb out-- had I not had my four-year-old son with me, I would have tried this, but it is not a good option for the return, as you would have to climb back up the spot you dropped down, and that wall is smooth, smooth, smooth. The leap across on the return would be easier since it is a "downhill" leap, but the slope you will be landing on is steeper. If you fall, there's a good chance you will break a leg or worse.

Best Way

The best way to climb is to stay below the ramp (see above) and move right (east) through some narrow, brushy washes until you find a good way up right of the slot. Expect Class 3 and 4 moves with some moderate exposure in places.

At least three options exist for the final push to the summit. Follow ramps and outcrops that form a summit "ridge," climb through a "tunnel" so narrow that at one point even a kid will have to remove his pack and move sideways, or hike through a brushy gully that passes a large tinaja and some of the few trees on this peak. The second and third approaches will ultimately result in scrambling to reach the final portion of the "summit ridge."

Near the actual highpoint, which is not marked by a cairn or register but does, unfortunately, have some graffiti scratched into the sandstone, there is a tinaja that nicely frames some of the surrounding peaks. On windless days, which are not common in the desert, you may be lucky enough to find a reflection. There are several other tinajas in the summit area. Enjoy finding and admiring them.

Once at the summit, I did explore a bit in hopes of finding an easier or more direct route down, but I did not see anything that would work without involving rappelling somewhere. One gully on the west side looked promising, but I am pretty sure it contained a dryfall that would be hazardous to descend without the safety of a rope.

Technical Climbing?

The Calico Hills are known for their sport routes. However, although I have not examined every side of the peak in detail, I saw no evidence of bolted routes on "Tinaja Peak." One look at the peak will confirm that the faces hold potential for plenty of 5.whatever routes, but perhaps development has stayed concentrated on the trail-accessible crags (not that this peak requires a long or difficult off-trail approach).

Given that the peak seems mostly pristine, it's my opinion that it would be a shame to see it bolted. But opinions differ, of course. If, though, you are interested in developing a bolted route here, first check with the managing agency about guidelines and even if it's legal to put in new bolts in the first place. The National Park Service forbids new drilling and the placement of any new bolts except to replace existing ones. RRCNCA is managed by the BLM, which is less restrictive than the NPS, and this peak does not lie within a federally designated wilderness area, but please check first about regulations and get a feel for the ethics of the local climbing community.

While climbing the peak, I did find one anchor someone had installed at the top of a wall, but since I saw no bolts below the anchor, I am assuming this anchor was put in so people could make a quick, easy descent on rappell.

Some More Views

A summit view

Trailhead scene, with the peak partially visible...

Getting There

From Charleston Boulevard (Route 159) west of I-215 and Summerlin, turn onto the Scenic Drive in RRCNCA. Just before Mile 3, you reach the signed Sandstone Quarry area (it is the third developed pullout along the road); turn off and park here.

Red Tape

There is a daily entrance fee of $5 per vehicle. Annual and interagency passes are available (the Interagency Pass, AKA the America the Beautiful Pass, grants access to all federal fee areas for a year).

Hours the Scenic Drive is open:

November 1 through February 28/29; 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
March 1 through March 31; 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
April 1 through September 30; 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
October 1 through October 31; 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Note: these hours are subject to change; in April 2009, the hours were 6 A.M. until 7 P.M. To be safe and sure, contact the park before visiting.

Camping

There are no campgrounds off the Scenic Drive in RRCNCA. There is a campground outside it, though; see here for more details. Bivouacs and backcountry camping are permitted, but with permits and restrictions. Use the link at the end of this page to find out more. Camping is not necessary in order to climb Red Cap.

External Links

BLM site for RRCNCA

A useful guidebook: Rambles & Scrambles: The Definitive Guide to Peakbagging Around Las Vegas. It does not contain information on this peak, but it does detail several peaks in the Calico Basin and Calico Hills area.

Images



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