Gass Peak

Gass Peak
Gass Peak from Las Vegas
Highest point
Elevation6,937 ft (2,114 m)
Prominence2,043 ft (623 m)
Coordinates36°24′02″N 115°10′50″W / 36.400521°N 115.18045°W / 36.400521; -115.18045
Geography
Map
LocationClark County, Nevada, U.S.
Parent rangeLas Vegas Range
Topo mapUSGS Gass Peak

Gass Peak is the highest peak in the Las Vegas Range of Southern Nevada with a summit of 6,937 feet (2,114 m).[1] It is easily seen to the north of the Las Vegas Valley, bordering the city of North Las Vegas. The peak is located about 20 miles (32 km) north of Las Vegas and is within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.[2]

A communications tower with solar panels has been built at the top of the peak.

Etymology

Gass Peak is named for Octavius Decatur Gass (1828–1924), an early settler and prominent rancher of Las Vegas.[3]

History

On November 26, 2019, a Cirrus SR22 crashed into the summit of Gass Peak, and all three passengers aboard the plane were killed. Recovery efforts were initiated the following day, but due to poor weather conditions they were called off. It was later determined that the cause of the accident was due to the pilot's inability to see the peak during sunset; when the crash occurred.[4]

Hiking and recreation

Gass Peak is accessible by the public and the most common access is via Corn Creek Road off U.S. Route 95, northwest of Las Vegas, then to the Mormon Well Road and Gass Peak Road dirt roads.[5] Campsites and parking corrals are located along the roads and at trailheads.[6] Hiking trails are not maintained.[7] On the peak, mountains in Nye County, Lincoln County, Utah, Arizona, and California are all visible in the distance.

  • Gass Peak viewed from above
    Gass Peak viewed from above
  • Gass Peak covered in snow
    Gass Peak covered in snow
  • Sunrise viewed looking east atop Gass Peak
    Sunrise viewed looking east atop Gass Peak

See also

References

  1. ^ Ramelli, Alan. "Geologic map of the Gass Peak SW quadrangle, Clark County, Nevada". USGS. University of Nevada, Reno. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Refuge Map - Desert - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". fws.gov. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
  3. ^ Federal Writers' Project (1941). Origin of Place Names: Nevada (PDF). W.P.A. p. 15.
  4. ^ "Authorities suspend recovery efforts for plane that crash near Gass Peak due to weather". KLAS-TV. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Gass Peak Road". www.birdandhike.com.
  6. ^ "Gass Peak Route". www.birdandhike.com.
  7. ^ "Gass Peak Route -- The Descent". www.birdandhike.com.