"Hiked from Highway 159 about 2 miles through the desert floor before entering the canyon. There really is no easy way in, and you are pretty much forced to drop down soon after entering. Lots of boulder hopping and climbing ensues for quite a while before finally being able to exit the canyon and traverse the gigantic sandstone slabs. Stay to the left to avoid exposure or the right if you are feeling more adventurous. My heart rate got up pretty high climbing those slabs, and then reached a more level part where you can look out onto the park. I proceeded to head up to Juniper Peak via a pretty steep chute, with one fun Class 3 maneuver. At this point you can look out over Terrace Canyon. Headed up a little ways and turned left, then doubled back to crawl through a fun key hole boulder that requires some class 3 maneuvering. Not long after that I reached the summit, signed the register, and took a few more pictures. Tons of total elevation gain on this one, probably 2300-2500. Would recommend this to intermediate hikers. It's a great challenge but not hard enough to make you turn around! " — LukeyPukey • Oct 3, 2021

"Barb, Judy, Jen and I trying to get back to Red Rock with a Juniper Traverse. For a while on this trip, I forgot we were doing Juniper, and actually tried to find familiar landmarks for the back of Gunsight!" — hwstock • Oct 18, 2020

"9.11.2020~7.5 miles, 2,300’ gain, 4:10hrs. This was my 4th time up, Jimmys 1st. This is such a primo conditioning workout route. It’s an obstacle course with trail running, bouldering, scrambling and aztec sandstone slab surfing. The views of Rainbow Wall 🌈 and the surrounding canyons are unreal. We had the place mostly to ourselves since it’s still considered the hot season in Red Rock. It was sweaty but tolerable. https://youtu.be/Ij7adpWhFV0" — paula.raimondi • Sep 11, 2020

"Hiked up Pine Creek to take a different route up to Gunsight Notch Peak from the west ridge. From there, we traversed to Juniper Peak. The traverse was super scenic with 1 rappel. We took the standard route down Juniper Peak back to the Pine Creek TH." — Kevin • Nov 16, 2019

"11.13.19 Juniper Peak w/ Karla. 8 miles, 2,500’ gain. I had a time deadline....and of course my route finding on the approach was horrible wasting time and leading to Karla getting an a$$ full of Beavertail Cactus needles. That bad cactus has a variety of needles sizes for difficult extraction. (Sorry Karla!) Besides all that, we had another wonderful adventure. Karla enjoyed her 1st time on this peak. I made it to the school in time for Summer’s Conference. This route is amazing. Trail running, bouldering, scrambling and peakbagging. What more can you ask for?!" — paula.raimondi • Nov 13, 2019

"I began in the Pine Creek Parking Lot within the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop. I walked through the desert floor and entered into Juniper Canyon. It becomes thick with trees and boulders and there was lots of route finding. After a good while you see signs of exiting the canyon. If you veer left you will go towards Gunsight Notch. I veered right and went up a massive, tilted Class 2 slab. Not really a lot of exposure if you stay to the left as you ascend. At the top of the slab there's a flat area where you can look out over Red Rock. From there if you look west you will see a Class 3 Chute going up toward Juniper Peak. Again, no real exposure. From there it's a bit difficult to find the route. You climb up and and around a rock and meander back a bit before heading up to the summit. Right before the top there is a hole inside a bolder you have to work your way up through. It is Class 3/4 but not too difficult as you can leverage your legs on either side of the rock. Nice views at the top and round trip probably took me 4-5 hours." — LukeyPukey • May 26, 2019

"4.11.19~Juniper Peak, 8.25 miles, 2,500’ gain. I started from the Red Rock Loop exit. I saw a snake, burros, Spring flowers and climbers. I did this peak for the 1st time a year ago and it was my 1st time doing a challenging solo sandstone summit with creepy steep slopes and drop offs. It sits between Rainbow Peak and Bridge Mtn. It is a fun and scenic obstacle course workout with trail running, mountaineering, bouldering, scrambling and route finding. It’s quick enough to do before I have to pick up the kids from school. Beautiful day. Suns out, buns out..." — paula.raimondi • Apr 11, 2019

"Harlan Inspired my Summit Victory today. Thank you for your kindness, friendship and mentoring. With your help I have summited mountains that I thought were unattainable for someone like me. I’m truly grateful. I finally ascended Juniper Peak!!! And I did it alone... No, it’s not the most important or the most special peak on the planet but it is a big big success for me. In the last year I’ve tried to do this Peak 4 other times (twice alone/twice with friends) and quit every time in the same place. The angles of the Sandstone and the way it seems to spill over the edge into oblivion just triggers fear in me and give me vertigo. Also, I knew there is a ramp climb on the final section and I was uneasy about what that would be like. I never noticed a ramp at the end but I agonized about getting through a rabbit hole near the summit that was very intimidating. The only way to avoid it was a weird slanted exposed climb to the left, right before it. I climbed back and forth to convince myself I could get back safely...It took all my courage to sit on top of this peak today and I’m so happy! 5th time is a charm! I didn’t park in the right spot so I did mucho extra credit. I lost the tra..." — paula.raimondi • Apr 18, 2018