La Madre Ridgeline Grand Crossing, La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
La Madre Ridgeline Grand Crossing, La Madre Mountains Wilderness, Nevada | Visit https://lasvegasareatrails.com/la-mad... | Traverse the multiple climate zones of 2 great wilderness areas with unique, spectacular views the entire way! Experience the vast wilderness region of Southern Nevada not as separate human-defined areas but as one unbroken, unified whole. Navigate pathless wilderness solely by the sight of both near and distant landmarks which you will learn to identify by the end of this video. This 25+ mile, 11-hour adventure begins at the intersection of Kyle Canyon & Harris Springs Rds., takes Harris Springs Rd. to the La Madre Wilderness 4WD approach road, then traverses canyons and ridges to summit the La Madre Ridgeline just West of El Bastardo Peak. Then continue West on the ridgeline for a complicated descent into Red Rock Canyon at La Madre Springs. Finally, take the West side of the Grand Circle Loop to the entrance of Red Rock Canyon on Hwy 159.
Kyle Canyon Road to La Madre Wilderness 4WD Road
From the Twilight parking area on Kyle Canyon Road, head down Kyle Canyon Road about 500 feet to the entrance of Harris Springs Road. By the way, if you have a good 4WD vehicle you can cut about 4-5 miles off the distance of this adventure. Turn onto Harris Springs Road. You’re watching now for the La Madre Wilderness 4WD approach road which will be on your left in about 2 miles. There are no road signs, so you need to navigate by the features of the terrain. Watch for a brief rise on Harris Springs Road a couple miles up the road. The La Madre Wilderness turnoff is about 1000 feet beyond that rise. As you’re ascending Harris Springs Road notice you’re entering into the Joshua Tree band altitude (around 5,000ft elevation)
La Madre Wilderness 4WD Road to the La Madre Ridgeline Approach Wash
As you’re ascending the 4WD road notice you’re soon entering the juniper and pinyon pine altitude zone (closing in on 6,000ft elevation). About 1-2 miles up the 4WD Road notice a valley wash to your right. The wash passes between a large low hill on the right and El Bastardo Mt. to the left. Descend into this wash and study the approach ridges to El Bastardo. You want the approach ridge that lands just to the right (West) and below El Bastardo. The summit of that approach ridge is the spectacular La Madre Ridgeline where you will be able to look down into Red Rock Canyon, view the Rainbow Mountains, and over to the Wilson Ridge to the West and back to La Madre Mt. to the East. It’s pretty amazing!
La Madre Approach Ridge to the La Madre Mts. Ridgeline
Leave the wash and angle your way to the La Madre approach ridge. You may need to cross a few low intervening ridgelines. You’ll know when you’ve hit the La Madre approach ridge because it leads up in a fairly gradual way to the La Madre Ridgeline above. As you near the La Madre Ridgeline you’ll need to navigate a few light class 3 rock scrambles. Nothing dramatic. Near the summit of the approach ridge begin angling to hit the La Madre Ridgeline just to the right of the high point of the approach ridge summit. Once on the La Madre Ridgeline pause to take in the spectacular view!
La Madre Ridgeline to the La Madre Springs Descent Point
Now head to the right (West) along the summit of the La Madre Ridgeline. The ridgeline has a few brief ups and downs, but it’s all a fairly easy class 2 walk. Overall, it’s downhill to a low saddle on the ridgeline above the middle of White Rock Mountain below. Look below to see a gully heading downward from the base of the La Madre Ridgeline toward White Rock Mountain. That gully is La Madre Springs. The descent from the La Madre Ridgeline can be a bit complicated and confusing. You want to follow a steep descent ridge that will land in the La Madre Springs gully. There’s one brief class 3 rock scramble descent about halfway down.
La Madre Springs to the White Rock Mountain Loop Trail and Willow Springs
On this day the La Madre Springs gully was entirely choked by brush! There is a trail along the way, but much of the time it was hidden in the thick brush. You will need to weave a few times back and forth across the gully. Eventually you’ll reach a wide, distinct trail leading to the White Rock Mountain Loop. Keep to your right on the White Rock Mountain Loop Trail and round the West side of White Rock Mountain to Willow Springs. If you have a second car parked at Willow Springs, you’ve cut another 5 miles off the distance and completed this adventure!
Willow Springs to Red Rock Canyon Entrance
From Willow Springs, head down to the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive and take a left up a short hill to connect with the Grand Circle Loop Trail. Once you’re taken a right on the Grand Circle Loop Trail it’s a pretty straight shot to the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center and Scenic Drive entrance!