Distance

2.3 mi to summit

5.8 mi total

Elevation

3,183 ft start

4,022 ft max

Vertical

1,515 ft gain

Time

1 hr 34 min to summit

3 hr 43 min total

Another fun day! I hadn't been in this area before. We turned off of Las Vegas Blvd and drove about 2/3 mile down a rough dirt road before parking. We hiked up the road a bit, then ascended the SW Ridge of Dog Skull Mountain. From there, we dropped down to the south and ascended the north slope of North Twin. We went down the south slope of North Twin (where Jack decided to leave us) and went up the NE slope of South Twin, our final summit of the day. We dropped back down to the wash and followed it out, eventually crossing the open desert back to our cars, where we watched Jack drive off. Please note - there is a LOT of gun activity out here. We were safe in the canyons and on the peaks, but the desert west of the mountains is littered with shot-up garbage. We heard gunfire all day. If doing these peaks, I recommend starting early or maybe hiking on the weekdays, when there might be less shooters out.

Route name

North Slope

loop
Obstacles

rockfall/loose rock

Key gear

GPS device