Since the temperatures are dropping, hiking the canyons and mountains in Lake Mead NRA have many options. On November 2, 2009, we decided Hamblin Mountain would be a good fall hike.

Driving up the Northshore Road past mile marker 18, we parked at the pullout, which is also used for the Bowl of Fire hikes. We hiked south into the drainage that leads to Cottonwood Springs. At the springs, we went right and followed a faint path to make this a figure-8 hike. We hiked out of the drainage where we were rewarded with a view of two bighorn sheep running off. We then hiked up and down the ridgeline heading to Jacal Peak.

Finally, we reached the "Returned Saddle", which is just before the steep flank of Jacal. We hiked right and dropped into the drainage that leads to the saddle between Jacal and Hamblin. There is a short class 3 dry fall in this drainage. Once on the saddle there is a good path leading to Hamblin. There is a little class 3 hiking to get to the actual summit. The summit of Hamblin Mountain which has a great panoramic view of Lake Mead.

Returning to the saddle, we hiked to the summit of Jacal Peak, which has a great view of Pinto Valley. From the summit of Jacal, there are two options. One is to go back using the drainage that we hiked in on and backtrack to the Returned Saddle. The other, which we chose, is to drop off Jacal to the north. This drop-off is challenging because of the steep slopes with loose rock and some class 3 down-climbs and it is the shortest way to the Returned Saddle. I find at least one hiking pole is helpful.

At the Returned Saddle, we dropped into the drainage which leads back to Cottonwood Springs through the red rocks. This hike is just less than 7 miles RT with about 1500 feet elevation gain.

DUTCH JOHN MOUNTAIN

Recently I came across a great peak that is rarely visited (I was the third person to sign the summit register in the decade since it was put up) and I thought it might be of interest to other members. The peak is Dutch John Mountain, and it's right off US 93 about 40 miles south of the junction of US 6 (the turnoff for Great Basin National Park). The mountain has a summit altitude of 8,860 ft., and with over 2,000 feet of prominence in every direction, and the views from the top are incredible.

Adding to the joy of the climb is the fact that there is no trail whatsoever, so you must find a route - a task made more complicated by the fact that there are numerous cliffs that need to be navigated around (perhaps they could be rappelled down, but I think the rock seemed loose for climbing). You likely won't see any other people on the mountain, but you may see some deer and/or wild horses.

To get there, head north on US 93 (exit 64 from I-15). About 30 miles north of Pioche, turn left on the dirt road that circles around the north end of the mountain. The dirt road is in very good condition and well suited for standard cars. There are numerous places to park (apparently used for camping) on the west side of the mountain. Depending on where one starts and the route chosen, the trip is about 5 miles round trip with 2,700 feet of elevation change.

LVMC MONTHLY BIO FEATURE

Nadia Von Magdenko

Where were you born?

Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was too cold there and my parents thought the Las Vegas economy would boom, so we moved to Las Vegas in the 1970's. It turns out they were right.

How long have you lived in Las Vegas?

32 years. Long time.

What is your occupation?

Attorney. Las Vegas is a great place to practice law.

How long have you been an LVMC member?

I have been involved in the club almost 10 years and have met at lot of great people because of it.

What is your favorite hike/climb?

What can I say? Veyo. Climbing. Swimming. Cheeseburgers. I am not sure life gets any better than that.

What is the most challenging hike/climb you have done?

Every time I get on the sharp end of rope. All of my friends are rope guns. I am just a great belayer.

How did you get into hiking/climbing?

Through the club! Xavier and Richard, just to name a couple of club members, were kind enough to take me out and show me the ropes!

What are your hobbies other than hiking/climbing?

Spending time with my family. I have more nieces and nephews than you can shake a stick at, so I spend a lot of time with my family. We just bought my 4 year-old nephew a harness. He and a niece just informed me that they want their birthday parties at the climbing gym (I dragged my family there in July and had my own "birthday party" there)!

HAMBLIN MOUNTAIN & JACAL PEAK

DUTCH JOHN MOUNTAIN

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