Hike Fortification Peak via Cottonwood Canyon Fortification Range Wilderness Area, NV

Sep 30, 2022 — The Fortification Range is a blip in the Great Basin Desert that rarely gets attention, not even the high point of particular interest to most. In fact, the high point (simply named Fortification Range High Point) is the last of the high-prominence peaks in the greater area that I want to summit, but it looks pretty boring and has therefore fallen by the wayside. I initially intended to hike it today, but some satellite searching led me to this gem instead. Unlike the southern portion of the range where the forested high point lies, this hike, Fortification Peak is a sub-peak within the range farther north that overlooks totally incredible and unlikely hoodoo formations. Although you could likely approach this summit from the east via a shorter route, I was more excited to see the interesting amphitheater-like formation at the head of Cottonwood Canyon. To reach the trailhead, head east here (38.77376, -114.56861) and follow this excellent road to this junction (38.58977, -114.39363), turning west. Continue north here (38.58937, -114.42261) and turn left at a spur road here (38.61557, -114.42529). Any car can make it to this spur road, but the last mile requires decent clearance to overcome high brush and ruts.

I was surprised to find Cottonwood Canyon was a marked trailhead, and even more surprised to find a trail register, not signed in a year. I was expecting to spend some time bushwhacking, but instead I set off gleefully through the forest on a trail! Although I only got glimpses of the crazy formations to the west through the trees, I was thrilled to be making quick progress and knew higher up I'd have a better view. The trail was in decent shape, and cairns marked a couple of trickier spots to follow, specifically leading out of a wash after a short spurt of hiking within it. At around 7150', the trail oddly just ends at a hoof-destroyed spring. I'm not sure if this is the actual end of the trail, and further research revealed little to nothing else about it, but from here onward the slope becomes steeper and so eroded from rain and wild horses that it no longer exists.

You may notice on my attached map that I switchback quite a bit, but this is moreso an attempt at following the various animal trails as they weave up the slope rather than actually trying to stick to an human-made trail. The route I took avoided small cliffs farther west, as well as kept bushwhacking to a minimum. I was getting hints of views toward the amphitheater and its incredible formations. There is an unnamed peak at the head of the amphitheater that I was hoping to hike to as well, but I quickly started to realize that the terrain would be too rugged and the summit likely an impossible feat. Fortunately that wouldn't be the case for Fortification Peak, my main prize for the outing. After ascending pretty steeply on this slope, I continued through the forest to a minor saddle at around 7900', where an overlook gave me the best views of the day into the amphitheater. What the actual f**k was this amazing formation doing way out in the middle of nowhere? Although not epic by the standards of some, I think the unique nature of this area and its existence relative to the other mountains of the region are what made me love it so much.

I started descending south toward Fortification Peak, the gothic-looking summit coming into view shortly after. I side-hilled around a minor hump to reach the saddle on the peak's north side, where I took in some more views and then considered my options for reaching Fortification Peak. The north side was a steep and unlikely face, but its east side seemed more feasible. I continued side-hilling through an old burn area, hopping over some deadfall and an occasional boulder before reaching the peak's eastern slope. I couldn't really see the summit from here yet, but I started up the steep slope with some minor brush and made my way toward what seemed like the high point. The slope became steeper and introduced a fun, Class 2/2+ series of moves on solid rock, oddly slanted and with cool features. The summit views were excellent, and I could see the amphitheater again to the north well enough to get a cool perspective of its scale. I could also see the Fortification Range High Point to the south, a forested lump I'd get back to one day. I'm learning it's often better to change plans when my excitement turns to other things, and this was a prime example. The high point isn't always the best point!