If you are up for a challenge, a hike to Spirit Mountain peak will give you one. Located in the extreme southern area of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Spirit is the highest in the Newberry Mountains, a prominent range that runs southeast of Searchlight, between U.S. Highway 95 and Lake Mojave.
Those who reach the summit will be treated to some of the best views you can get from Southern Nevada, and the knowledge they have visited a place of great spiritual importance to American Indians.
This strenuous hike starts at an elevation of about 3,300 feet and you must gain 2,200 feet more, over the course of about two miles. Be prepared to do lots of rock scrambling and deal with loose rocks. There is no official trail on this hike, so except for these general directions you will need to find your own best route. That's part of the challenge. The secret of success is to start on the southeast side of the mountain and make your way northwest.
From the unsigned trailhead walk in a northerly direction around a large rock outcropping and start your ascent up the steep terrain. There is no trail but there is one section that looks more approachable than others. Once up on this first ridge there is a nice flat area to take a break. Turn around and you'll see the first great views of the hike. You will have a partial view of Davis Dam, Laughlin and Bullhead City, and the Black Mountains across the river in Arizona.
When you resume ascent, your route-finding skills will be put to the test as there are many boulder obstacles and ledges to climb, and in most cases, you won't be able to see the next necessary step until you've already struggled over that first one. Expect to do some backtracking. As you make your way up, keep in mind if you ever have to do any tricky, dangerous maneuvers in and around exposed areas, you are not on the best route and you'll need to try another direction. Except for the rock scrambling, the hike need not involve anything hazardous.
Keep an eye out for a cairn that indicates you'll need to head right. If you miss it, you'll find out soon, as all further progress is blocked by a tremendous drop-off down into a canyon. Just backtrack and then go in a northerly direction and you will be in the right place. Here you will traverse another flat area, which will bring you to the base of another steep slope that you'll need to climb to reach a wide saddle. If you look closely from below, there is a green marker pole at the top.
When you reach the saddle you will be seeing your first views to the west, especially stunning ones into the Mojave National Preserve. Next follow the obvious path to the right, or north, toward another saddle separated by two peaks. The official peak is to the left; accessing it requires more route-finding and rock-scrambling. You'll know you have reached it when you see the wooden survey post and find the army surplus metal ammunition box containing a hiker's logbook. There isn't much room to wander around as the summit is full of large rocks with uneven footing, but there are a few comfortable rocks to sit on while resting, writing in the logbook, and taking in the fabulous panorama.
On a clear day you can easily see more than a hundred miles, including Mount Charleston to the northwest and even as far as southern Utah. It's fun to bring along a regional map to pick out and identify the mountain ranges and other landmarks you are looking at.
Closer up and to the east you will see Lake Mojave as it flows south from Cottonwood Cove, and the Colorado River as it makes its way south from Davis Dam, flowing between Laughlin on the west bank and Bullhead City, Ariz., on the east, and downstream toward Needles.
Spirit Mountain is a culturally significant and sacred place to all the Yuman-speaking people of the lower Colorado region. The Mohave people call it Avikwame; the Hualapai call it Wikame, and both believe it to be the spiritual birthplace of their tribes. For that reason, reverent behavior is in order, and the responsible hiker's leave-no-trace ethic becomes especially important.
Bring plenty of water, and wear gloves and long pants made out of heavy-duty fabric. Be prepared for the possibility that you'll need to remove some cactus needles: a fine tooth comb, tweezers or even pliers usually do the trick. If it's been raining or rain threatens, save this hike for another day.
Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at Deborabus@aol.com.
Archived Editions| Advertising | Contact The Staff
