Spirit Mountain

Sacred Mojave summit with sweeping desert and Colorado River views

InsideLake Mead National Recreation Area

Overview

Spirit Mountain rises above the Newberry Mountains as a culturally sacred high point and a true wilderness-style summit. It’s revered by local Native American tribes and feels remote despite being within reach of Lake Mead’s southern gateway. Expect big desert panoramas and a sense of solitude rather than a manicured, signed trail experience.

The Hike

From a pullout on Christmas Tree Pass Road, the route follows an old dirt track and social paths before turning into cross‑country travel up the southwest slope. Cairns help in spots, but the path can be faint with misleading spur trails cut by erosion. Most of the ascent is Class 2, with a brief Class 3 scramble over a rock rib near the summit. Take your time picking lines and keep an eye on the cairns.

Getting There

Access is via Christmas Tree Pass Road. It’s generally a well‑graded gravel road and most passenger cars can reach the Spirit Mountain trailhead. Parking is a simple roadside turnoff—no formal lot. Conditions can vary, so drive slowly and don’t expect services.

What to Expect Up Top

The payoff is a 360‑degree view over Mojave Desert basins with glimpses of the Colorado River. It’s all exposed granite and open sky—bring your own shade and everything you need for the day.

Best Time to Visit

Year‑round access, but fall, winter, and spring are the smart seasons. Start early; temperatures track closely with the wider region, and heat is serious here. Note that some Lake Mead area trails close May 15–September 30 due to extreme heat, so plan cool‑weather ascents when possible.

Wilderness Setting and Regulations

Spirit Mountain sits within a designated wilderness. That means no mechanized or motorized use beyond the boundary and no developed amenities—pack in water, pack out waste, and keep your impact light.

Pair It With: Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs

At the base of the mountain, Grapevine Canyon holds one of the region’s richest rock‑art sites, with hundreds of petroglyphs concentrated near the canyon mouth. View them from a respectful distance—don’t touch, chalk, trace, or climb on panels; keep pets off the boulders and stay on existing paths.

Bring and Do

Plenty of water and sun protection—there’s no potable water anywhere on the route.
Sturdy footwear and a downloaded GPX/track to stay on course when the tread fades.
A flexible attitude—this is a choose‑your‑line kind of summit, not a signed park trail.

Pros

Sacred summit with sweeping views toward the Colorado River
Trailhead off Christmas Tree Pass Road is typically car-accessible

Cons

No services; only primitive roadside parking
Routefinding and a short Class 3 scramble required near the top

Tips

Start at dawn in fall–spring; summer heat can be dangerous and some area trails close May 15–Sep 30.
Download a GPX track and follow cairns to avoid misleading spur trails.
Passenger cars usually handle Christmas Tree Pass Road, but check conditions; high clearance can help.
Pack all your own water and food—there are no services in the wilderness.
Combine the hike with a respectful stop at nearby Grapevine Canyon petroglyphs.