On May 25, 2004, Ken & I set out before sunrise hoping to reach the summit of Bonanza Peak - a mountaintop about 60 miles northwest of Las Vegas. We drove to the trailhead off US 95 a couple miles past the village of Cold Creek arriving shortly before sunrise. Bonanza Peak is about 4 miles and 2400 feet up the trail. The trail continues along the mountain crest 10 miles SE to Lee Canyon. Our plan is to get to Bonanza Peak and return along the same path.
Upon arriving at the trailhead, we enjoy the scent of the pines in the crisp thin air. We add a layer of clothing since its quite chilly at our beginning elevation near 7500 feet. The trail begins gradual, but quickly steepens as we negotiate a seemingly unending stack of switchbacks. We climb hundreds of feet with frequent rests. We begin seeing an occasional mound of snow as we near 8500 feet. The views are fantastic and we enjoy each rest stop marveling at how much elevation we have achieved.
We leave the switchbacks and the trail continues for about half a mile along a ridge. We are nearing the 9000 foot mark. We can clearly see the saddle that leads up to the peak and we anticipate reaching the summit. Then we stop! The trail is abruptly blocked by hardened snow that looks like the remnants of an avalanche. A good inspection reveals no safe way to continue. We must return and see the peak later in the summer. The scent and views on the return trip more than justify our effort. We were out for 5 hours and probably would have needed another 90 minutes had we reached the peak. An abundance of wildflowers were present during this last week of May. A few lizards and ground squirrels were observed, but no burros or wild horses were seen this time out. We hope to pick up the Bonanza Trail at Lee Canyon in the fall and follow it the 10 miles to Bonanza Peak, then descend to the Cold Creek trailhead.
Following are pictures with some comments.
Dawn at the Cold Creek trailhead.
We quickly gain elevation on the switchbacks.
We encounter the first ice mound.
The dead tree roots form a horse's head..
Cold Creek and way beyond from 8500 feet.
The trail is blocked by ice. No way around.