Now that the weather is starting to cool down, it is a great time to see what Red Rock Canyon has to offer. Today was a great day to take on Turtlehead Peak. Just 25 min west of the Las Vegas strip are plenty of hiking trails for all levels. I decided it was time to do the 5 mile round trip to Turtlehead Peak and back. Start at the Sandstone Quarry parking area and the trail gives you an obvious way to go. The first half of the hike is pretty open but still has a bit of an incline. As you hit the open trail your destination clearly comes into view. Looks like it is quite far and that there is no way to get there but that is where you are heading. Don’t let the easy trail fool you, this will get steeper and you will deal with loose gravel as you reach the halfway point. As you start to trek up the steep part of the hike make sure to keep the peak on your right and do not head down into the ravine. It may seem like a long way to go but you only have about a mile left once you hit the steep part of the mountain. Keep going and soon you will be on the backside of the peak. It was a little hazy in the valley on this day but as you get close to the top you will see the Las Vegas Strip. Keep heading up to the right and the peak will be there. Once there, enjoy the view, drink some water, have a snack and enjoy the scenery all around you. Take your time on the way down as the loose gravel will test your footing. Once you get close to the trail head you might spot some rock climbers on the right. Head over and watch them scale some sandstone walls.
