Lake Mead Area - Southern Hikes

Distance: 6.0 miles Round Trip

Elevation Change:    1,197 feet

Difficulty:    2

Danger Level:    2

Overview:   The path follows a ridge north to the summit.

Comments:   The view from Fortification Hill rivals any vista around Lake Mead.  On a clear day, with the snow covering Mt. Charleston in the distance, an award winning photograph awaits.  A mile-long mesa lies at the top of Fortification Hill.

April 2003

Again this guy's directions make no sense as verified by the compass in my truck.  My new mantra for this hike was "follow the trail" because he makes it more complicated than it needs to be.  Otherwise this was a very strenuous hike that could have been easier had I followed a different route.  There was a fantastic reading spot in the shade of the mountain near the top and I polished off most of my latest book and wasted most of the afternoon there.

When I made it to the top I had a surreal experience as I briefly glimpsed a mountain goat bound across the meadow.  I was so surprised, I first thought that I imagined it because it was too perfect.  I never saw it again for the rest of the hike and finally believed it was real when I saw some scat on the way down.

Here's the pics (Click on the picture to see full size):

These are low res pictures.  I can send you higher quality pictures if you want them