Anniversary Narrows is Closed Again!

After a few months, Anniversary Narrows is closed again. This is one of the most magnificent hikes around Las Vegas. This blog will describe how to find and hike through the Narrows. Tips to hike to  Anniversary Narrows Peak are also included.  I am keeping this post hoping Anniversary Narrows will open again.

Driving Directions:

From the intersection of Lake Mead Blvd and Northshore Road go north (left) on Northshore Road, drive ​​13.0 miles to mile marker 16 and make a left onto the signed, gravel Callville Wash North Road (94). Drive less than .01 of mile and make a 180 degree turn and go down a steep grade. (You might need a 4WD vehicle to get up this grade.)

Drive east two-tenths of a mile where the road divides. Take gravel road 94A (signed) and follow it about 1.8 miles to an unsigned parking area on the left side of the road. This is just before the road drops down into Anniversary Narrows Wash. For longtime hikers of Anniversary Narrows this is the same road we have always taken and it is in better shape now.

Steep Grade - it's steeper than it looks in the photo

Park here. Do NOT drive down into the wash. You can't. There's a big drop off.

The Hike to the Narrows

Follow the gravel road in the above photo 75 yards down into Anniversary Narrows wash. Head north (right) in the wash. The wind and rain have created fantastic sculptures into the sides of the wash. As the wash curves to the left you can see remnants of Anniversary Mine (1922-1928) on the right bank.  Do NOT enter the mines. In about 100 yards beyond the tunnels, the wash narrows and you’ll enter the locally named “Anniversary Narrows” section of the wash.

Start of the Narrows

It’s unbelievable that thousands of years of wind and rain created the Narrows. At times the walls are only five feet apart.  There are now three Class 3 climbs in the Narrows. They are all very short. Hikers can assist each other if needed. 

Watch for slippery boulders. The are numerous photo opportunities as you walk through the Narrows. The light in the Narrows is different depending on the time of the day. See the below photos.  After 150 yards the walls recede and the wash widens again. 

Photo taken in the afternoon

Photo taken in the morning

Anniversary Narrows Peak

Hikers at Anniversary Narrows Peak

Since you can again drive almost to Anniversary Narrows Wash, the best way to do this hike is an up and back. This has two advantages: You avoid the loose junk the old descent route has and you hike through the Narrows again. The light will be different.

Follow the original ascent route. It is very well cairned.  Once on the summit ridge go around to the left side following cairns. Once back on the ridge, continue on the ridge to the peak. Do not drop off to the left side again. The only class 3 climbs are in the Narrows. 

There is a sign in book at the summit. 

Descent Tips

Since this is now an "up and back" hike, here are a few tips to get back to the Narrows. Retrace your steps down the ridgeline to the saddle. From the saddle you can see a green patch of landscape. You want to head to the left of this and look for cairns that mark the wash you need to cross.

Once out of the wash you cross, look for the ridge circled in the photo below. Head to the right of it as indicated by the arrow. You will drop into a minor wash that leads to the main wash. Go left in this wash about one mile back to the Narrows! That's it. Have fun.