Turtlehead Peak Trail

The Turtlehead Peak Trail, commonly known as Turtlehead Mountain, is in the famous Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It is about 35 minutes from the Las Vegas strip and a great option if you need a break from the city.

The trail starts at the Calico Tanks Parking Lot. The beginning of the hike is with minimal elevation gain. You will pass by the Calico Tanks, which is beautiful, and you will see a multi-colored rock formation. The trail then traverses through some desert terrain. This part of the trail is well-marked and easy to follow. The course then starts up a ridge, where the hike gets tricky. The route climbs 2,000 feet in 2.5 miles which is steep, but the hard part is climbing the 800 vertical feet in the gully system in only 0.4 miles.

The Turtlehead Peak Trail is also considered the highest peak within the park. It can get scorching in the summer and surpassingly cold in the winter, especially at the summit. The summit is often windy, too, since it is in the Mojave Desert.

The summit is extensive and provides many options for resting, eating lunch, signing the summit register, and hanging your feet over the cliff.  The view to the south and west overlooks Sandstone Quarry and most of the route to the summit.

This hike features sweeping views from a choice Red Rock Canyon peak. Although it’s not an easy climb, Turtlehead Peak is one of the most accessible peaks. If it’s warm weather, you’ll want to get an early start. If it’s windy, you’ll want a windbreaker to protect you from the wind-up top. At the top, you’ll be treated to one of the best panoramic views of Red Rock Canyon.