Area 51 has not maintained its 'top secret' status by being easily accessible. However, until 1995 it was relatively easy to see from the viewpoints discussed in Area 51 & Related Sites of Interest. After the Air Force sucessfully obtained the land, only a very small number of places to view the base were left. The closest and most popular of these is Tikaboo Peak (rhymes with 'Peek-a-boo').

• Tikaboo Peak
  
  • Getting There
  • View from Top
• Other Viewpoints

Tikaboo Peak

Tikaboo Peak overlooks the Tikaboo Valley, where Highway 375 wends past the Black Mailbox towards Rachel. This Peak is part of Badger Mountain in the South Pahranagat Range. (See Map.) This Peak also happens to overlook the Groom Lake Facility inside Area 51.


Disclaimer/Plug: While this guide seeks to be as complete and authoritative as possible, getting to Tikaboo is a complex and tricky operation. It is quite possible for inexperienced hikers or outdoors-people to become stranded, injured, or lost in the uninhabitated areas around this peak. There already exists an excellent and comprehensive guide to Tikaboo in the Area 51 Viewer's Guide by Glenn Campbell. (See Other Resources.)

Only a 'visual guide' to the viewing point at Tikaboo will be provided here, since I personally would not attempt the climb without Campbell's resource and do not wish to duplicate it.

Getting There

There is a loop road to Tikaboo that connects to US-93 at points North and South of Alamo, Nevada. It will bring you to Badger Spring (dry) and a campsite on a 'saddle' between Tikaboo Peak and Badger Mountain. The Southern part of this loop is 30 miles and can be taken by almost any vehicle, but the Northern route should be used by 4WD vehicles only.




The Southern Entrance to the Badger Spring Loop


The weather on Tikaboo is not like the desert around it because of the high 7000'+ elevation. There is dense foliage and snow in early fall through late spring. Judging from the conditions in middle-March, this trip should not be attempted before the beginning of May.




Tikaboo is at top middle


Normal vehicles will be able to make it to Badger Springs, but only 4WD will make it past there as the trail becomes narrow and steep. The walk from Badger Springs to the sadlle campsite is 1/2 mile and should be given 30 or more minutes to complete since the elevation climbs rapidly.

From the saddle campsite, the hike to the top is 2 hours (approx), proceding from the nearer false peak to the actual summit which is right of it from the campsite. Take plenty of water and snacks, as well as any photographic equipment you like. You will need binoculars or a telescope to see the base in any detail.

View from Top

Because of the snow, we weren't able to make it to the top. Snow cover was several inches and drifts were several feet deep; not condusive to hiking in tennis shoes. We were only able to climb a small, rocky 'hill' on the North side of the campsite. We could see Groom Lake Road and the Medlin Ranch, but little else.

A journal (with photos) of a successful climb of Tikaboo. A video is available for the very curious.


Down the valley the Badger Loop road climbs. (Pahranagat)


For a detailed panorama from the top of Tikaboo, see this page.

Other Viewpoints

There is only one other terrestrial viewpoint of Groom Lake, from Mt. Reville about 30 miles north-northwest of Rachel. However, you can legally fly closer to Groom Lake than you can get at Tikaboo, for a much better vantage point. Certain commercial airline routes come very close the Northern side of the Nellis Range, and Area 51 is visible if you sit on the correct side of the aircraft on a cloudless day. Some of these routes may include Phoenix - San Franciso or Phoenix - Portland.

If none of these viewing options sound particularly appealing, there are always plenty of images available on the Internet. See the Other Resources page.