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Frenchman Mountain


Highlights:

Great View of Las Vegas,Nellis Air Base & Las Vegas Speedway
Near:North Las Vegas, NV
Scenery:
Distance:4.5 miles
Elevation Gain:1600 ft
Hike Time:3 hours
Difficulty:Strenuous
Trail Condition:Fire road/pavement
HikeType:Point to Point


Summary: THis is a very very steep gravel road. The best time to hike this would be Fall,Winter or Spring. After you get to the top of the false summit (great resting spot) and start down into the saddle look on both side to see some really nice barrel cati. Don't let the steepness stop you from going all the way to the top as the view is spectular. If it is a clear day you can see all the casinos to the SouthWest. Looking West is Red Rock and Mount Charleston. Then look NorthWest to see Nellis Air Base and farther North to see Las Vegas Speedway. The great part is if the Jets are taking off & landing at the Air Base. I put a ammo can up in front of the false summit to sign in. I put it their as someone already had stacked up a rock pile and I was to tired to build another one. Maybe next time I go I will rebuild it at the true summit.
Trailhead: From Spring Mtn Blvd get on I-15 North and get off on the Lake Mead exit. Go East until you get to the mountains. Those will be Sunrise Mountains. In about 1 mile or so look to the South, Right and you will see a very steep gravel road heading up the mountain. Park on the outside of the fence and just start walking up that very steep gravel road. You will be able to see a metel pole with a gate about 10 min from the road. That gate has been open everytime I have been up their. Just follow the road until you get to top. (Lat:36.12152 Lon:-114.59362)
Trail Guides for  Frenchman Mountain:
Hiking Southern Nevada
by Branch Whitney ()

Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter,
User Groups: Hikers, Dogs,
Ranger Contact: BLM Bureau of Land Management
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by David Briggs, who has posted  5 other hikes on this site
Trail Reviews  Page 1 of 2   Submit your own review
Reviewed by nick on 6/7/2008
I have not really hiked much, but ive gone up there a cuople times, i live about a mile a way. me and my cousin went out there today, and it was hard. but it was a fun trip, just make sure to bring lots of water, youll need it.

Reviewed by scotty on 3/9/2008
JCJ had it right on. Boy was this a workout. I run regularly (on a track) and thought I was in good shape. Nope. This 'walk' kicked my ass. At least 2 hours to the top. Rest frequently, bring water (2 qrts ea) and enjoy the walk. Heather Jones said it last year, and she was right... when you get to the first summit, and see the next portion, don't be afraid. It's easier than what you have just done. My estimate: first summit is 3/5 of total distance, 2nd summit is remaining 2/5th of the total distance. 1600ft elevation gain? I would have put it over 2K ft! And at that, it's like 1600 to the first peak, down maybe 200 feet, and then up another 600 ft from there. Get the idea? lots of UP! :-) But, a really fun

Reviewed by JCJ on 2/29/2008
Great hike and great orkout! Definately strenuous though. I'm physically fit, did it on a week day in moderate heat and it was a stuggle at times. Up hill is arduous, but going downhill on this hike can be downright dangerous wih the loose rock and steep decline. However, the view of Vegas coupled with the backdrop of the Mountains and the fighters taking off and landing from Nellis makes it all worth while. Wear sturdy boots with good ankle support and bring plenty of water!

Reviewed by Andy on 2/24/2007
Frenchman Mountain it probably nicest mountain you can climb so close to Sin City. I start my hike from south side. I did not know that there is a road going up, so I just went complete of road and just climbed straight up. It took me one hour & forty minutes to reach the peak. I did park my car at the end of N Access Rd. across from school. Be prepared and take some water with you. I was there on Wednesday 2/21/07. Pictures: http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/711/gorka059iz3.jpg http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/19/gorka048ib6.jpg http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3292/gorka047go8.jpg Andy megadyne@gmail.com

Reviewed by Marshall on 2/13/2007
Ascended the steep west side – there is no trail and lots of steep and loose rock, reached the top in 1 3/4 hours. Rested, lunched, took photos, began down the way we ascended. By halfway down, the steep downstepping became hard on our knees, making frequent rests necessary. The views were spectacular throughout the entire hike. The plant life was scant, tough and short; mostly barrel cacti. Next time would take the service road for the safety factor. The summit is spectacularly rewarding. But plan your hike on a day after a light wind blows the valley clear for good views; bring food, water, a cellphone and camera and take lots of photos and post them on the web for others to see Las Vegas from a totally new perspective.

Reviewed by heather jones on 1/31/2007
This hike is a work out. It is a short hike that packs a punch. There are two mountains to climb over. The first uphill trek is the most difficult of the hike. Once you get to the false summit the view of the other mountain that you have to hike up (after the saddle) looks trecherous, but it is actually much easier than the first. Definitely, hike to the top to see the view. The hike is not as bad as it looks and is well worth the trek. If I needed a good workout and wanted to get sore then I would hike this again.

Reviewed by Jason on 11/7/2006
I climbed the west side when I first moved here where there weren't any trails. It was a good 3-3 1/2 hours, and I will definitely do it again before I move. Intense and sometimes threatening to my well being.

Reviewed by Burnz on 5/2/2006
Great hike! I did it on Sunday morning. The prior reviews on the terrain/difficulty were right on. This is not a rookie hike from a fitness or preparation perspective. I don't think the camera will do the scenery justice, so there's a lot to be said for seeing everything 1st hand. The view of everything in the direction of Lake Mead can't be fully appreciated from the false summit, so don't stop short thinking it won't be worth the effort.


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: Nevada Hiking, Nevada Trails, Nevada Hikes, Clark County Hiking, Clark County Trails, Clark County Hikes

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