Region
Most climbed route
Started on the Kyle Canyon side up the ridge and along La Madre scar
5.3 mi • 2,611 ft gain
Highlights
Routes
5 summits • 5.3 mi • 2,611 ft gain • 6 hr 17 min
4 summits • 9.9 mi • 4,332 ft gain • 7 hr 50 min
2 summits • 6.7 mi • 2,955 ft gain • 6 hr 21 min
1 summit • 6.5 mi • 3,333 ft gain • 6 hr 46 min
Latest summits
"Tried a different route this time to summit El Madre. Found it to be a more favorable route than the last 2 that I did. We followed the wash (the one that you cross near the beginning of the hike) for about 1.75 miles and then exited west up another wash that took us up to the northern ridgeline route to La Madre. Very casual route for the first couple of miles. The final push (1/4 mile) to the ridge line was a little steep and loose....but what isn't in the La Madre area. The descent off of Fernande was okay, but not what we expected. Rather than climb back up to La Madre and descend the "standard" route we decided to drop off the north side down to a wash that runs east west in the valley below. We went west in the wash and eventually joined the northern ridgeline route to La Madre. The elevation gain at the end of the wash was a little steep but overall we weren't disappointed with our decision. It turns out the the climb back up the ridgeline to La Madre from Fernande had slightly less elevation gain than the wash. Over half of the distance on the track that I am posting was completely exploratory....not the "standard" route that people have used. " — Heartattackbruce • Aug 29, 2023
"Due to Mt. Charleston (Spring Mountain National Recreational Area) being closed because of the extensive damage done by Hurricane Hilary, we had to come up with a hike that would be in cooler temps. So, La Madre Wilderness it was. We hiked in 70 degree temps for most of the hike, peaking out in the low to mid 80's by the end of the hike. Not bad! The road to the trailhead has been severely washed out 1 mile from the trailhead. I drove the route 2 days before the hike and discovered this. Well, after about an hour with a shovel, I was able to fill in the wash enough and cut the banks of the wash enough to pass through it. Definitely HIGH clearance needed.....and 4WD....and short wheel base....and steep approach angle designed vehicle....otherwise you are going to be pushing gravel and rocks with the front of your vehicle. Or, just hike the last 1 miles (2 miles return). The last 3/4 of a mile on the descent could be done better. We should have been on the ridge line to east of us. It didn't cost us any additional distance the was we went, just a little elevation gain to get back to the trailhead. It was a great route that worked for us. Have fun and enjoy the spectacular views if yo..." — Heartattackbruce • Aug 27, 2023
"3.31.2022~ La Madre, El Padre & Burnt Peak CW Loop w/Frances. 6 miles, 3,000’ gain, 5:35 hrs. We have been trying to plan La Madre together and finally linked schedules. I’ve been obsessed with this ridge as of late so a repeat visit was welcome, ESPECIALLY since she had her Jeep to get us to the trailhead. The views of The Spring Mountains both Red Rock and Charleston are special. Cloud Cover kept temps nice. My bad ankle flopped after El Padre so we skipped El Bastardo and descended after Burnt Peak since it was aching and I lost motivation. I plan to go back anyway for more recon and a proper traverse putting all the pieces together. From above, I was able to scope out a possible ascent from Upper White Rock Lot to El Bastardo direct. There is cliff banding but looks to have weaknesses. Great Day! Thanks Frances!" — paula.raimondi • Mar 31, 2022
"3.26.2022~La Madre & Barricade Peak from the north w/Jimmy. 10 miles, 3,500’ gain, 6:55hrs. We haven’t hiked together in a long time so it was nice to get off the grid. Not sure he agreed but he went anyway. I cheered him up along the way with breaks, sandwiches & snacks. This was my 3rd time up and 1st from Harris Springs Rd. We had the Kia so we didn’t drive any farther than that. The ridge is rough and a bit of a bushwhack then turns into steep slabs and a short knifey part. We saw remnant snow, a giant avalanche scar, an agave roasting pit, a black lizard & historic piles of cans. It was warm but strong breezes refreshed us. “Your Mom”
https://youtu.be/f1bM8WZvlSs
https://youtu.be/F04GteuUUwo
https://youtu.be/IawA6nWMZDw" — paula.raimondi • Mar 26, 2022
"2.18.2022~La Madre/El Padre Mountains Combo Meal from Sandstone Quarry, Red Rock NCA, NV. 10 miles, 4,800’ gain, 7:34hrs. I haven’t been to these 2 in 10 years. I now see why…This was My 1st time doing it alone. It was rough and miserable. I navigated the approach poorly using a garbage track I downloaded off Peakbagger. (It was a passive aggressive track share) I suffered today and was depressed it took me so long but I soldiered on. The route is miserable with a seemingly endless sand wash, loose everything, agave dagger landmines & inconvenient ice and snow. A place where every scratchy leg shredding shrub resides. Despite all that, it was worth it for the views and solitude. The misery of the day brought some negative emotions to the surface and forced me to sort through them. I needed that. I will be back to navigate this route better and faster to appease my ego. I needed this amazingly bad day. I was due for one. I finished at sunset." — paula.raimondi • Feb 18, 2022
"Beautiful morning for the climb with my wife. Parked about a quarter mile from the wilderness sign as road was getting rougher and narrower. Climbed to the peak along the top of the ridges staying out of drainages. I believe this is the route used by most. Used the same route for the descent. We found the view from the peak to be amazing in all directions. The day went as planned encountering no unforeseen issues." — steve-pearce • Apr 22, 2020
"Harlan took us on a great route to La Madre from the north. The roads we drove up definitely required high clearance. The route essentially followed a steep ridge up to the summit of La Madre, then we traversed over to El Padre and Burnt Peak before taking a different (steep & loose) ridge down. Couldn't ask for better weather." — Kevin • Nov 11, 2017