Day trip Mormon Well Road

[calamaridog]

The Mts. to the North of Las Vegas are Fossil Ridge dominated by Gass Peak. Behind this formation is the Sheep Mountains which you can see part of from points in the valley. All part of the Desert National Wildlife Range. I took my daughter on a day trip to see how much snow fell nearby. Not much snow but we only saw one other person for 3 hours

This is looking towards the Spring Mts. which are west of Vegas

Looking west again towards Spring Mts. down the road to Corn Creek Station

This is the backside of Gas Peak, which you see on the north side of Vegas

Again looking back towards the Spring Mts. from Mormon Well Road. Mormon Well Road runs west-east between hwy 95 and 93 through the Sheep Range, around 50 miles of dirt only road.

There is a variety of interesting geology around here

Looking west again towards the Spring Mts

Many good dayhikes around here and you can remote camp back here. I'm hoping to do an overnight trip back here soon including some dayhiking.

 

[DH2002]

Very nice mountain pics

 

[Michael Slade]

Very nice. I lived at the base of Gass (spelled corectly) Peak. You should see the 'potential trail' I had mapped out from my house to the back side of it. VERY gnarly...not marked, very...um...well, let's just say if I got caught I would probably be in trouble with several agencies.

I was wondering how much snow you guys got down there yesterday. Looks like you're probably getting a lot today too.

 

[xtfritz]

Nice winter pics. Looks like it was a great outing for Nevada in wintertime. Cheers.

 

[calamaridog]

It snowed at my house for 3 hours but wasn't sticking today. Higher elevations in the valley and colder areas such as near Red Rock the snow is sticking.

Gass Peak has a dirt road behind it that branches to the east off of Mormon Well Road. I think you can follow it all the way behind Fossil Ridge and come out near 215.

BLM law enforcement is very active due to the number of people dumping and illegal off road activity on the Vegas side of Gass Peak/Fossil Ridge.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Very cool. Whats the story on the well? I know the Mormons had a fundemental involvement in the settling of the Vegas area. Related?

 

[calamaridog]

According to my reading (Great Basin SUV Trails Vol. 1 by Roger and Loris Mitchell) the well was built at a spring that was a stopping point on the road between Alamo and Las Vegas. The earliest writen record being an 1896 claim by the well known Mormon pioneer/explorer Daniel Bonelli, which may account for the name.

And yes, the Mormons first came here in 1854 and had many interests in the area.

 

[calamaridog]

a few more from today

Thought I'd add a few more pics from today. The first two are taken at the end of the block near my house. The snow barely stuck on this side of town although it was snowing for hours yesterday. Most of the snow was around Henderson this time.

Fossil Ridge from the north side of the Vegas valley. The highest peak is Gass Peak - around 6500 ft. In front of this range is what is called the Vegas and Corn Creek washes. Lots of prehistoric fossils and such here. Behind this is the Sheep Mts. and the Vegas Mts. which are up to 9000 ft. or so.

From the same spot as the last picture just to the west instead of the north. The Spring Mts. with the highest peak being Mt. Charleston at 11918 ft.

Did a little hiking around near Red Rock but the main road was closed in the AM.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

According to my reading (Great Basin SUV Trails Vol. 1 by Roger and Loris Mitchell) the well was built at a spring that was a stopping point on the road between Alamo and Las Vegas. The earliest writen record being an 1896 claim by the well known Mormon pioneer/explorer Daniel Bonelli, which may account for the name.

And yes, the Mormons first came here in 1854 and had many interests in the area.

Very cool, appreciate the info