Sunrise Mountain/Frenchman Mountain

All these years I’ve had Frenchman mountain confused for Sunrise mountain. I wasn’t expecting much out of this hike as there isn’t much vegetation, but I ended up loving it! Killer workout, and so many great views. When I reached the peak I was just looking out over the view of the city, which is nice, but upon looking for the register, I discovered the view on the other side and it knocked my socks off! This is a steep bugger. I brought hiking poles and they definitely helped make me feel more secure, especially when descending.

Hiked this bad boy today! I was actually surprised because this hike was more strenuous than I thought it would be.
It took about an hour and 10 minutes to reach the summit and that’s with only a few short 1 to 2 minute breaks in between. Once you reach the top you are rewarded with probably the best view in the city. It’s awesome because you have views of the whole Las Vegas Valley, Henderson and a great view of Lake Meade.
There is a little box where everyone writes notes located in the rocks on the south side of the satellite towers. Leave a note!!! :0)
The hike down is less strenuous but I wouldn’t suggest it for anyone that has knee issues. All in all, a great hike!!!

I enjoyed the work out. Especially after the 20 mile bike ride from Henderson. I was surprised that it only took me one hour and 50 minutes to the peak. I was pleased that it took less going back. (about one hour 35 min) I’m over 60 so I took my time, one step in front of the other. I traveled cool Nov midday, and used two 12 oz waters going up and one going down, one on the bike ride back. It seems like more than 1552 vertical elevation. After you go on this hike you will recognize everyone of the photos in the reviews, where they were taken and how you were feeling when you were there. Hope this helps.

Lift up your left hand 12 o’clock move it to 230 that is a slope you’re walking up. Don’t walk to late there’s no lights. Just do it

Stay on solid ground up, and dig your heels into loose rocks to prevent slipping.
Take the idiot proof road on the NorthEast side and Get out early for the sunrise hike! It’s breath taking and you can beat the heat!

Tough hike, but still fun. Should have done this a couple times to prepare us for Mt. Charleston Peak last year. You are either going uphill or downhill the entire hike! Also, very steep majority of the time. We had to hold on to each other going down as rocks slip out underneath you. There’s a great detailed description on this link to help get there and the hike itself.
We didn’t find a box to sign or flag but we ventured all over once on top. We probably missed it. This took us right around 4 hours. Wanted to be faster but the steep uphill and watching your footing coming down slows you down. Also! You climb up a first peak only to go all the way down and back up another peak. So don’t be discouraged once you reach the top of the 1^st mountain.

My first time trying this hike. It was recommended by a friend so I thought what the hay, I’ll go for it.
I took the fire/​access road side since I hadn’t been hiking in awhile. Good thing I did. It was VERY strenuous. Steep, uphill and loose rocks for 85% of the hike one way. Obviously the opposite on thebway back. Downhill that steep isn’t always a good thing.
The pay off with the view from the top is absolutely amazing! We lucked out and the skies were mostly clear. I have an amazing photosphere of the Las Vegas valley.
Reduced one star due to the lack of adventurous feeling during the actual hike. I like obstacles or occasional rough terrain. This is just a road with loose rocks.

I made this hike twice in 2 weeks. Being born and raised in Las Vegas, I have gazed upon this mountan a good million times and I have always been curious about what the hike to the top would be like. The trailhead off lake mead blvd is not marked and nondescript. It is a more than moderate nonstop upward grade that will throw your heartrate to its max in minutes and cause you to doubt your decision to embark on this cross fit esk journey /​workout. Did I mention its steep. After a moderate vertical ascent you arive at the top of the first mountain. From here the remainder of the trail mocks you as it seems steeper than what you just went through. Im certain at this point many people have made the decision to go back and call it good. Those who chose to carry on decend into a sadle where at the very bottom you will find a post card opportunity as all of downtown is framed by the dramatically shifting plates that make this mountain. The steep uphill then starts again immediately and the lactic threshold of your calf and quads are put to the test. It goes quick as long as you always keep moving. Once at the top you will see a road that traverses two fenced in antenna sites. You can scramble up the rocky face another twenty feet to reach the very top. The view is absolutely amazing. Look west and see the city, look east and see lake mead and as far as the mountains just west of St George Utah. At that point the pain you endured is far worth standing atop the most prominent mountain to the east of Las Vegas. The adventure does not end there. Now you must go down, then up, then down to where you started. Great balance will be your friend as the gravel and small rocks will convert your shoes to roller skates if your not careful. Bring water and a power bar and this will end up being one of the most memorable hikes in close proximity to town. Enjoy!

Folks — PLEASE BE CAREFUL. COYOTES SPOTTED IN THE AREA. Not just one or two, but a whole pack of them.
I live in the neighborhood, right off the intersection of Owens and Los Feliz, so I enjoy multiple morning hikes a week here with my dog, but just last week we were ran off by a pack of coyotes. Absolutely dead serious about this. I’m no park ranger, but I think the problem is nearby residents have been feeding the wild rabbits, which is causing them to gather around Chavez Park, which is probably attracting the coyotes.
We weren’t even that deeply into the mountain when he heard what sounded like a whole pack howling, and spotted two walking in our direction before we ran out of there. So, please be careful. Coyotes can be quite dangerous, especially in a pack so it’s best to avoid an encounter.
But, anyway, it’s great, great hiking. Lots of challenging uphill trails that are quite the good workout, and some beautiful views of the city. If you head south there’s a trail almost directly behind the Mormon temple that’s pretty tough, but you’ll be rewarded with some truly spectacular views, perfect for that lovely #nofilter Instagram tag. Definitely stretch your ankles before hikign here, as there are a lot of loose rocks that can easily cause an injury. I would recommend hiking over trail running for that reason.
If you need a quick but intense workout, the best trail for that is right at the intersection of Owens and Los Feliz. You head south for a few yards, then it veers to the east and you just follow the uphill trail back north, and it takes about 20 minutes, but your legs will feel the burn.
Other hazards may include rattlesnakes (I’ve lived in the area for two years and thankfully have yet to see one, but they’re there), and stupid people. It’s not uncommon to see people drive their 4x4s into the trails just to leave their trash, break bottles, fire guns, and perform other sorts of questionable behavior in an area where people hike and walk their pets.

Great hike if you are ready for some cardio and trip hazards, due to loose rocks. It takes about 2 to 4 hours depending how fast your pace is. Because it has two peaks it is over 2000 feet in elevation gain and less than 7 miles round trip. It takes all day because afterward you will need a nap. Bring hiking poles if you got them, a hearty snack, and at least 4 litters of water. We did it in the winter so summer hikes might need twice as much water.

I’ve done this hike a handful of times over the years. It’s a nice workout and the views over the Vegas Valley are awesome.
For a truly amazing view climb late in the afternoon so that it’s dark when you arrive at the top. The view of the lights across the valley are stunning.

I just completed this hike and made a video, see for yourself if you want to accept the challenge.
Video of frenchman mountain

My profile headline reads « Unilocal is my Diary.» And so,
Dear Unilocal:
In less than 5,000 characters, I want to reflect on my midlife Birthday present that I gave myself this past March 3. It was the experience of hiking up Frenchman Mountain. This Birthday present would be a metaphor to reaching the summit of my lifespan.
Frenchman Mountain is the beast of Vegas hiking trails. From the Lake Mead Boulevard. trailhead to the conclusion at the radio towers above Bonanza Road there are two summits. Summit 1 is the False summit and summit 2 is the South Summit. This is the equivalent of hiking up a roller coaster with rocks and loose gravel from Bonanza Road/​Summerlin Parkway to Lake Mead Boulevard. It is a roller coaster climbing up to 1,600 feet. This is a height above the 1,149 feet Stratosphere. From the time of my Exploration Park review, I mean entrée, I have been preparing for the ultimate of Las Vegas hardcore hikes: Frenchman Mountain.
In preparation for my Birthday present, I loaded up on the essentials. They included a knapsack of a frozen gallon of water, bottle water, hiking pole, boots, phone, and prayer.
There is a lot of naughty activity by the trailhead. Looking at Google Streetview I saw graffiti on the utility poles. I made an executive decision to extend the walk 2.1 miles each way from the Hollywood at Lake Mead CVS to the trailhead. This is a shame because this is the Great Unconformity. I would of appreciated learning about the 1.7 billion year old Precambrian granite and schist. Or how the earth plates moved the mountain 50 miles from its existing position. So much for the science lesson. It was time for the fitness lesson.
Frenchman Mountain starts off hardcore. Immediately there is a 700 foot elevation gain to the False Summit. I was tiring from the steep uphill climb on rocks. To achieve my goal of making it to the top, I turned to the same resource that I turn to whenever I am under a big challenge. It is rock & roll. «Believe It Or Not-​The Theme From the Greatest American Hero» was the soundtrack tune that got me through the uphill climbs. In reality it was a windy day and I was walking against air. I’d rest after each rotation of the song. I didn’t have to work hard. This was my Birthday.
At the end of the climb was the reward for all my effort. It was a steep climb up the South Summit, after a 300 foot drop.
Like a Vegas show, the South Summit is an illusion. It is not as steep as it looks. Just very steep and rocky. I made four stops listening to «Believe It or Not I’m Walking On Air.» After the steep ascension there are switchbacks before it levels off. Now with the Las Vegas overlook on the right, there are 2 towers. The second is the conclusion of the hike.
At the spot where Unilocaler Sarah Jane W. mooned all of Vegas, I stared at the Las Vegas Valley spread out like a carpet below. I had the opportunity to get close ups of the Strip and the Temple off Bonanza Road just below me. It was too windy to get to the Lake Mead overlook.
Going downhill, I turned off the rock & roll. It was too easy for the rocks to make me roll. I believe that the rocks that came close to making me roll include quartz pebbles. If I broke my leg it would be nice to know that the culprit was pebbles that were original igurous quartz crystals that crystallized from magna 1,7 years ago.
The nicest views on the way back were from the False Summit to Lake Mead Boulevard overlooking Sunrise Mountain. People commonly mistake Frenchman Mountain for Sunrise Mountain. This was a view that I appreciated with a hiking pole and boots.
Unilocal,Frenchman Mountain is the midlife Birthday present that I will never forget. It taught me that when I set a goal and put my mind to it, that I will achieve it. Frenchman Mountain also taught me that it is not the material things in life that matter. Life is about the experiences.
Signing off on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11:36 pm.

One of the worst hikes in the Vegas valley – mainly because it’s not meant to be a hike – with one of the best views in Vegas at the end.
It’s a short, steep and rough hike up the Frenchman Mountain’s peak. The main reason the hike is so difficult is that it wasn’t designed to be a hike. The trail is actually a rocky road to the radio towers that sit atop the mountain. When the road is straight, it’s covered in rocky «scree» that will shift under your feet and constantly threaten to send you tumbling. There are some steep switchbacks that limit the grade of the uphill, but you’ll still be breathing heavy throughout the hike.
Once you have complete the hike, you’ll have the best view — with the Vegas valley laid out in front of you. It’s a gorgeous view.
Most people do the hike only once. The main reason is how rough it is to come down the steep mountain. Some folks fall trying to come down the mountain, some folks have their knees hurting trying to come down the mountain. It’s steep and a rough walk down.
It’s worth a visit, but not a regular hike.
For a great description of the elevation details, the GPS coordinates, and directions to the trailhead, visit:

This is a strenuous hike with a lot of elevation gain to a false summit, then elevation loss, and then elevation gain to the true summit. This is not a hike for the casual person, and it’s almost a must that you wear hiking boots. Especially coming back down, the steepness and the slippery sand and gravel can make slipping a very easy thing.
The payoff for all this hard work is the view. The view of Las Vegas and the Spring Mountains to the west. The view of Lake Mead, Rainbow Gardens, and Lava Butte to the east. Any direction you look will be wonderful and you feel like you’re on top of the world.
This is a cool weather hike. You certainly don’t want to be doing it in July when it’s in the 100s.
I was conflicted about whether this should be a 4 or 5 star rating and I finally decided on the 5 stars. The view makes this hike «as good as it gets» in spite of the work to reach the goal.
I have added some of the photos I took when I did this hike on February 18, 2008 to give you an idea of how steep the two road sections are.

September 30, 2012 was they day that I slay’d this dragon. Having been in Vegas since the mid 90’s this peak has haunted me. To prep for the Tough Mudder, I woke the boy up at the butt crack of dawn to FINALLY do it.
As the sun breached the horizon we came around the back way via Lake Mead to park at the trail head. I was immediately surprised by the number of cars parked there. I had been hoping not to see anyone.
Make sure that you leave all valuables at home or take them with you. As I have been told that the saddle area of Lake Mead Pkwy is hotbed of nefarious activity.
We surveyed the initial assent and headed out. It was still cool so it was smooth going. Dropping down into the first little valley we heard and saw a group ahead of us smoking the trail. At the top of «False peak» we ran into an older couple just as happy as could be. The were training for an assent on the final peak and seemed very happy with their progress.
Down into the saddle we went and things were starting to heat up. This was not a problem as I and the boy who trains when I do just kept plugging away.
Finally atop the mountain, your eyes do funny things to you and try to process the magnitude of what you are looking at. Everything looks so tiny.
While at the peak we ran into some sisters, some of whom where waiting for their boot camp instructor to meet them there. The sisters said that they make the climb a weekly event. Two of them were also training for Tough Mudder. I am happy to report that I did see them at the event and they looked awesome.
One of the other sisters who was not training for the TM should us a heart touching memorial she had made for her daughter. Should anyone come across it be mindful as this is not the summit log.
The view is everything you think it would be if you are living in the valley looking up at Frenchman’s.
Make sure your boots/​shoes are good to go. The walk back for whatever reason is a slippery one… more so than the walk up. Your ankles will thank you!

I love this hike as a way to get great cardio and leg work in while hitting a peak and enjoying the views. Did it two times in preparation for Tough Mudder & it is a challenge for sure. Super steep, some use poles but grit and focus will get you up the first elevation climb of 1.2K while giving you an intense workout.
As Angela T mentions, there is a false peak, to a dip and then one last killer climb till you can claim your peak on a popular mountain. Take a few moments up there to snap some photos and celebrate your tenacity. On a clear day, the vistas are outstanding, even as your legs and lungs are crying for mercy. (Please note that it is dual listed on Unilocal as Frenchman only) Since what goes up must come down, the descent (for me) was more difficult as it feels steeper and I sideways leg stepped over the trickier spots.
There is no shade to speak of, so cooler weather is the smart way to go and of course follow the usual rules of the outdoors, hydrate, sunscreen & hat, let others know where you are going & leave it as you found it. Make sure to rehydrate & have some bananas/​potassium and replace aminos; if you think your legs hurt during the journey: wait till the day after. «Pain is weakness leaving the body» defined.

WHOA! If you are looking for a serious cardio workout and don’t want to be inside the gym on a treadmill, this is for you! My heart rate was up the first fifteen minutes on this hike, which is basically a fire/​service road to the top of Frenchman Mtn to a bunch of cell phone & radio towers. Here are the stats:
The trail climbs 1,400 feet in a little over a mile to a false summit, then after all that hard work, drops 300 feet to a saddle between the peaks. From here it’s a less than a mile and 700 more feet of elevation to the peak and victory. 4 miles roundtrip. After the saddle the second climb is so steep, at times I felt like I could put my hands down on the dirt and crawl up, for the love of GAWD!
This hike is good for the winter months and early Spring, no way can this be done after May, way too hot, no shade and the sun just beats down on you.
Bring 2 – 3 liters of water, sunscreen and motivation!

Hiking up Frenchman Mountain is pretty fun. It’s been awhile since I last went hiking and I killed it so it’s not that extreme but I’m use to walking long distances. So if it’s been a while for you make sure you take it easy because it’s pretty steep in certain parts of the hike.
The hike will consist of two peaks and in the middle a pretty good drop. pretend you’re a little lady bug trying to stroll from the back of a camels ass to the top of his head passing two of their humps. Be warned that the second peak is higher. the real peak as some would say !!
It’s worth the hike for visitors and especially locals because hey this is your city !! You got to see every aspect of it !! It’s not always just about The Strip !!
Once you get to the peak you can see almost everything from Boulder City, Lake Mead, Henderson and almost all of Las Vegas !!
Note: Don’t forget to sign in to show proof you made it up there !! there’s a little notebook locked in a metal ammo box. which is past the transmission towers !!
Have fun and make sure you dress in layers because the climate can change very quickly !!

This hike is SO extremely steep, rugged and hardcore that at times I felt like a smuggler with an assful of heroin, traversing the Khyber Pass into Pakistan with a posse of pissed-​off Taliban on my tail. Fun!!!
I’ve been wanting to hike Sunrise Mountain ever since I moved here over 10 years ago… simply because it’s THERE. From a distance, it looks like a giant, treeless brown dirt mound… and that’s basically what it looks like up close, too. But it was still a BADASS hike!
Note: the formation commonly referred to as «Sunrise» mountain is actually Frenchman Mountain… I’m talking about the mountain at the end of East Lake Mead Blvd on the right-​hand side… the one that looms over east Vegas like a benevolent dirt-​colored Jabba the Hutt. Sunrise, Frenchman, whatever. YOU know what I mean!
To reach the trailhead, follow East Lake Mead Blvd. east all the way to the edge of town. About ¼ mile past the last stucco subdivision, there’s a gravel lot to the right, in front of a gate. Park there, and then hike up the mountain following the gravel utility road.
There are NO trees on this hike, so do it on a cool day, or at night. It’s hardcore uphill action — first you ascend a fake summit, and then drop down across a saddle to the second peak, which is the REAL summit. Double whammy! Expect to burn at least 50,000 calories on this hike — it’s about a 2-​hour slog to the top, and then another two hours back down; the gravel on the road is very loose, so you have to go reeeeeally slowly and carefully to avoid eating it.
Vegetation-​wise there ain’t much to recommend this jaunt — just some scrubby bushes and a few very subtle desert plants and flowers. I still dug it, though… I appreciate the weird harsh beauty of the desert. It’s totally quiet, and when you finally get to the top the view is A… M…A…Z…I…N…G! Lake Mead on one side, and all of Vegas on the other.
There’s some kinda cell phone towers or electrical substation or something at the top, so expect to be bathed in radiation while you’re up there. But on the plus side, my friend and I were able to hitch a ride back down in the back of these two Southwest Gas utility workers’ truck. It was a hairy ride, and the truck almost rolled off the EXTREMELY STEEP road once or twice… but it was alllll part of the adventure :-)
When I was at the top, I went out on the overlook and mooned all of Vegas. Thankfully there were no Taliban around… or I wouldn’t be here writing this today. Allah Akhbar!