Overview
The Mormon Mountains is a mountain range in Southeast Nevada. The majority of this mountain range is in Lincoln County. The most southern part of the range lies in Clark County. It is about 60 miles Northeast of Las Vegas and about 25 miles Northwest of Mesquite, NV. It covers an area just under 250 square miles. The most hiked mountain in this range is Moapa Peak with its intriguing knife edge. The high point of this range is Mormon Peak at 7.414 feet. This holds a special spot on the Nevada Prominence list. It is one of
Nevada’s 172 peaks with at least 2000 feet of prominence. It comes in at number 24 with 4,034 feet of prominence. This makes it the 3rd most prominent peak of southern Nevada after
Charleston Peak and
Hayford Peak. Mormon Peak is also one of the Las Vegas Mountaineers Club’s (LVMC)
50 Classic Peaks.
The Mormon Mountains are diversified with wildlife. You can find everything from lizards, snakes, bobcats, desert tortoises, toads, frogs, coyotes, and much more. There are also many species of birds too. The golden eagle and burrowing owl are just a few that can be found.
The jagged peaks in this range are made of mostly of limestone. This was formed ages ago when shallow seas existed. Due to this many fossils can be found in the area. Gold was also once mined here as well at Whitmore Mine.
Getting There
The best way to access the Mormon Mountains is off of I-15. Exit 100 entering on to Carp Road is the most common access point. Another place would be at Exit 111-112 just west of Mesquite. There is a truck resting area here. The dirt road going north along side Hidden Valley Wash will get you into this area as well. From the north one can go through Caliente. Continue south on State Highway 317 through Elgin and Lyman Crossing to Carp, just above the northern corner of the Mormon Mountains Wilderness.
To access the western edge of the Mormon Mountains take exit 90 off of I-15. Take HWY 168 west for just under three miles. Then turn North on Meadow Valley Road.
Red Tape / Camping
Camping is permitted anywhere within 100 feet of a designated road as long is it is not within 1/4 mile of a water source. Campfires are permitted using dead wood.
Bureau of Land Management
Las Vegas Field Office
4701 North Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89130
(702) 515-5000
Peaks in the Range
Mormon Peak Elevation 7,414 feet
Moapa Peak Elevation 6,491 feet
Davidson Peak Elevation 5,324 feet
Candy BM Elevation 3,438 feet
Weather
External Links
Mormon Mountains Wilderness
Mormon Mountains Fact Sheet
Bird and Hike Jim Boone's page on Mormon Mountains Wilderness
Sangres A good resource page on the Mormon Mountains
Wikipedia's page on the Mormon Mountains