Hike Forlorn Peaks and North Lonesome Wash Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Mar 06, 2020 — This exploratory loop within Lake Mead National Recreation Area hits the peaklets Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, Withdrawn Peak (named by Adam Walker to stick with the nearby similarly named peaks' theme), Peak 2840, Forlorn Hope Peak, and Peeper Benchmark. There is a major drainage to the south known as Lonesome Wash. The peaks in this trip report are located around another wash to the north of Lonesome Wash, so I named the primary wash I traveled through "North Lonesome Wash". Initially, I planned to get Withdrawn Peak by coming up from the south, but after learning of this trailhead's existence from Adam Walker, I realized I could facilitate this fun loop instead.

The road to the trailhead had a couple of large rocks, but was otherwise just a decent dirt road that gave me little trouble. To reach it, navigate here (35.91391, -114.91852) and follow the south/southeast-leading road (Route E) to here (Route F, 35.88844, -114.90824) and follow this southeast to the trailhead.

I started first to the south toward Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, following the ridge. After the first bit of ascending, I got to a visually appealing rideline. Don't follow it since it cliffs out, instead dropping to the right on a 10-foot Class 2 section and keep along the base of the cliffs, then staying generally along the ridge again. A nice meander along the sloping ridge had some great views, and soon I came to the base of a cliff blocking Forlorn-Lonesome Peak. A bypass on the right brought me safely around the cliff and up to a short Class 2 scramble to gain the summit.

From the summit of Forlorn-Lonesome Peak, I retraced my steps and dopped down into the major drainage to the north (Class 2), and then followed this through the extremely wide North Lonesome Wash for a few miles. Along the way, I got to see some nice wildflower scenery and wandered through a large cholla cactus forest. Withdrawn Peak came into view ahead, my next objective. The route I took continues to a low saddle just west of Withdrawn Peak, where I  then side-hilled up to the peak's western slope. Class 2 talus/scree led me to the summit ridge, where I got some really amazing 360 degree views of this remote area of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

I dropped off Withdrawn Peak back the way I came, headed generally northwest along the ridge. I wanted to follow the ridge in hopes of finding a fun loop route rather than returning up North Lonesome Wash. The ridge had some pretty sections and was overall a nice stroll through the desert, including another nice section of cholla cactus forest. Peak 2840 along the way was unmemorable, but offered a Class 3 obstacle on the descent. I still rated the route as Class 2 since you can easily avoid the Class 3 by backtracking a hundred feet from the summit and descending before the eroded cliffs block easy descent access.

As I continued west along the pleasant ridge, I noted the cliffs barring a direct route up to the rim above. Rather than continue along the ridge where I'd inevitably get cliffed out, I spied a wide Class 2+ gully to the right of the ridge that led me up some fun scrambling sections. I topped out on the lovely slope that I could follow to the summit of Forlorn Hope Peak. An unexpected Class 2 scramble met me on the descent.

As I continued west along the ridge after Forlorn Hope Peak, Peeper Benchmark seemed a worthy addition to the route. I ignored the fact that I had been out of water for an hour and decided to go bag that one as well, a straightforward walk along the sloping ridge. Two short Class 2 sections on the ascent to Peeper Benchmark made this otherwise silly bump a little more fun. I dropped down to the road I drove in on and followed it back to my car.