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Since the 1995 land grab, in which the closer Area 51 view spots "White Sides" and "Freedom Ridge" were seized by the Government, Tikaboo Peak, 26 miles away, is now the closest view spot. However, to get a glimpse of Area 51 you have to do some serious hiking. And it takes a clear day to make out any details, even with binoculars. The best time is early morning when you have the sun in the back and there is not too much heat haze.
Before you start, please consider that it takes you into a very remote area, with virtually no traffic (and except for the top of Tikaboo no cell phone service). If your vehicle breaks down you are looking at an almost 20-mile hike back to US-93. Bring plenty of water and food, as well as tools for minor repairs and at least one good spare tire.
You will be in almost 8000 ft. elevation, which means that even in summer the nights are cool. In spring and fall the nights can be very cold, even if it is hot in the valley. In winter, usually between November and March or early April, snow prevents any access to Tikaboo Peak.
It is not possible to drive all the way up to Tikaboo Peak. Even as a daring four-wheel driver you are looking at a one to three hour hike each way, depending on what shape you are in and how much gear you are carrying. That includes steep climbs, partially on loose shale, in 8000 ft. elevation, where the air is much thinner than at sea level. If you are in less than average shape you should seriously reconsider your plans.
There is no water on Tikaboo or anywhere along the way, and you need to take at least one gallon of drinking water per person and day. Try not to make the hike alone, and make sure to let someone know where you are going, and when you expect to be back.
Easiest access to Tikaboo Peak is from mile marker LN 32.2 on US-93. This unmarked turnoff to the west is easy to miss. Look for a stop sign about 0.4 miles north of the marked entrance to the Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge. There is another, shorter, access road further north, but it has some steep climbs and requires 4WD.
After you turn off at LN 32.2 you get on a maintained dirt road, which is passable for most cars. However, after rains the road may be washed out and may require 4WD. In the above map all mile markers along the dirt road are driving distance to the intersection with US-93 by the stop sign. Unless otherwise noted in the directions below follow the main road.
| 0.0 mi. | 37°16.823'N 115°07.159'W |
Take the dirt road that intersects with US-93 approx. 0.35 miles north of the marked road to the Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge visitor center. Head west on Badger Valley Road, into the Pahranagat Wildlife Area. |
| 0.6 mi. | 37° 16.998'N 115° 7.724'W |
Cattle guard and open gate. |
| 5.1 mi. | 37°15.066'N 115°11.789'W |
Fork. Keep left, following the main road. |
| 5.7 mi. | 37°14.542'N 115°11.950'W |
Cattle guard. |
| 6.8 mi. | 37° 13.671'N 115° 11.795'W |
Fork. Keep right, going uphill towards Medsger Pass. If you continue straight here you will get to Tikaboo as well but this section of the road has some sandy and washed out spots and is longer. This was the old road before Medsger Pass Road was improved. |
| 9.1 mi. | 37° 14.549'N 115° 13.310'W |
Medsger Pass road merges back with Badger Valley Road. Keep right. |
| 15.5 mi. | 37°18.907'N 115°17.823'W |
Road intersects from the right. That is the rugged shortcut mentioned earlier. Continue straight on the main road. From here on the road may require 4WD and high clearance. |
| 17.3 mi. | 37° 19.875'N 115° 19.161'W |
The road is washed out and for most vehicles, including 4WD high clerance, this is the end of travel. There is a small clearing large enough for a couple of vehicles. |
For most people this will be the end of the drive. The road continues past the wash-out, but gets progressively worse. Continue at your own risk and only if you are not concerned about damage to your vehicle. The mile markers in the table below are hiking distance from the wash-out.
| 1.65 mi. | 37°20.760'N 115°20.495'W |
Badger Spring. Keep right here. From here on the road becomes increasingly difficult. If you made it past the wash-out you can camp here and hike the rest of the way. Only about 0.5 miles from here the road ends anyway. |
| 1.9 mi. | 37°20.888'N 115°20.625'W |
A road intersects from the left. Keep right and follow the main road. |
| 2.05 mi. | 37°21.000'N 115°20.687'W |
The road forks here, keep left. The road continues steep uphill, and only experienced 4WD drivers with a high clearance vehicle should continue. |
| 2.15 mi. | 37°20.974'N 115°20.783'W |
End of the road. There is a clearing with enough room to camp and park your vehicle, if you made it up here. From here on a very rugged dirt road and then a hiking trail, marked by rock cairns, leads up to Tikaboo Peak. Depending on your shape, and the amount of gear you are carrying, the hike will take between one and three hours. |
| 2.25 mi. | 37°20.827'N 115°20.842'W |
End of the rugged dirt road, and start of the hiking trail. Do not attempt to drive up to here, unless you are a very experienced 4WD driver with a familiar high clearence vehicle in good shape. There is a good chance that you will cause serious damage to your vehicle (as two of my friends have) and/or get yourself hopelessly stuck. From here the trail leads up to a "false summit", first moderately steep and near the summit quite steep, on loose shale. This is the hardest part of the hike! |
| 2.6 mi. | 37°20.667'N 115°21.044'W |
About 50 yards below the "false summit". The trail turns right, towards a rock outcropping. The trail is mostly level here. Follow it around the left side of the rocks, and then downhill on the other side. |
| 2.85 mi. | 37°20.667'N 115°21.301'W |
Saddle. Good camp site. From here the trail continues uphill, up to the real Tikaboo Peak. This part is moderately steep, and leads through bushes and trees. It is easy to loose the trail here, but if you keep going uphill you will eventually get to the peak. |
| 3.15 mi. | 37°20.654'N 115°21.543'W |
Tikaboo Peak. There is a small rocky platform on top, from where you can see the base, behind the Jumbled Hills and Freedom Ridge. Right below the peak is plenty of camping space in between the trees. |
On recent hikes we noticed a significant increase in litter along the trail. Sure, the pack gets heavier by the minute, but PLEASE pick up all litter behind you, including bottle caps, notes and other small items. Do not bury it. The next Tikaboo hiker will appreciate it. Thank you!