August Hike List 2011

Here is the listing of scheduled club hikes for the month of August 2011. The hikes listed for Fridays will be Around the Bend Friends/Over the Hills Hikers combined outings. Siena residents who were members of Over the Hills Hikers are not required to be members of Around the Bend Friends to take part in these hikes, but would need to be ABF members to participate on other hikes. Saturday hikes are intended for the general membership, are shorter with less difficulty, and are conducted at a leisurely pace to allow for more socializing. Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club. Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderately easy or moderate, although occasionally a more difficult hike may be scheduled. While somewhat equivalent to Saturday hikes, they may have a faster pace or some difficult terrain. Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities. New hikers without recent hiking experience are encouraged to join the Saturday club hikes before attempting any of the more difficult hikes. No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below. Cancellations due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of the hike. If you have questions or need directions for any of the hikes call Chris Dempsey at 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Mount Charleston area hikes will stage on the 3rd floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station and depart from that location at the appointed time. Be at the designated location at least five to ten minutes before departure time for carpooling arrangements.


Tuesday, August 2 - Harris Peak. A wind storm this past winter caused significant damage in the Rainbow Canyon area that, although the route appears to be in better shape than first thought, may have an effect on the conduct of this strenuous hike to the top of the mountain above the ultimate location for the Lower Kyle Canyon Visitor Center. The 5-mile out-and-back hike climbs along the side of Rainbow Canyon to a saddle, then turns to a bushwhacking route through trees and brush to the pinnacle. Elevation gain is around 2,500 feet and most of the route is steep. The view from the top includes a significant portion of Las Vegas. The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, August 3 - Lower Telephone Canyon. Looking for a leisurely ramble on trails through the woods that don't require a lot of elevation gain? Then join the group today for an easy to moderate 3-mile partial loop hike that gets into thick stands of mountain mahogany, oak, and pine through the lower section of Telephone Canyon. Total elevation gain is only a few hundred feet. Check out the impressive cliffs near the top of the ridge to the west on the return leg of this hike that is reminiscent of Mondays at the Mount. Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, August 4 - Raintree via Trail Canyon. The somewhat longer version of the hike to a 3,000 year old bristlecone pine starts and ends on the Trail Canyon Trail that can be found at the edge of the community of Echo. In the middle is a breathtaking section of the North Loop Trail that crosses the top of Fletcher Canyon, with views of all the major peaks surrounding Kyle Canyon and several of the side canyons. Total distance for this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike is 7.4 miles and the elevation gain is 2,200 feet. The departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, August 5 - Bristlecone Trail. The goal for this moderate 5-mile out-and-back hike through the pine and aspen forest at the top of Lee Canyon is to enjoy the scenery, which includes views of all the major peaks surrounding the canyon. Total elevation gain is about 700 feet and the trail is quite gradual. When combined with a leisurely pace, this hike is ideally suited for the general membership of the club. The group will be taking a snack break at the halfway point of the hike located at the intersection of the Bristlecone and Bonanza Trails. Over the Hills Hikers will meet at the Siena Community Center for an 8:00 AM departure, ABF members will leave from Santa Fe at 8:15 AM, and the two groups will get together around 9:00 AM at the trail head. Coordinators - Diane Dempsey & Susan Haase.

Saturday, August 6 - Upper Kyle Canyon Loop. The club offering today is an interesting loop hike approximately 3 miles in length that originates from the Cathedral Rock parking area near the top of Kyle Canyon Road. Passing through the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area, the group will follow an old trail through an avalanche zone to a short stretch of the South Loop Trail. The snack break will occur at the highest point of the hike, about 800 feet above the starting point, and the hike will continue through an area hit by a small forest fire a couple of years ago. Hike rating is moderate with the biggest obstacle being some downed trees along the way. Departure time from Santa Fe Station is 8:30 AM. Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Monday, August 8 - Rainbow Loop. Bring a saw along for this work adventure clearing one of our favorite trails in the southern part of Kyle Canyon. A winter storm toppled lots of trees that now obstruct the narrow trail between South Loop Trail and the summer cabins at the top of the community of Rainbow. Group size will be limited to about ten individuals who need to RSVP with Chris Dempsey. The hike itself is a moderate 5.7-mile loop climbing 1,100 feet with about one mile of fairly steep climb through the avalanche zone above the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area. The group will leave from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 9 - Upper Little Falls Canyon. There may be another name for this location that would be more descriptive, but this is probably the most accurate. A strenuous loop hike about 8 miles in total distance, the route will start up the Cathedral Rock Trail and head toward the manhole about 1/3rd mile beyond. The group will then follow a steep, faint trail climbing through the canyon, scramble up to the South Ridge between Charleston and Griffith, and return down the South Loop Trail. Total elevation gain is close to 3,000 feet. The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Prospective participants should contact the coordinator at 575-8628 or e-mail him at amboydukes50@aol.com to RSVP. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Wednesday, August 10 - Charleston Golf Cart Path. Many years ago, a nine-hole golf course was opened in lower Kyle Canyon just east of the Mount Charleston Resort. It only lasted for a couple of weeks before having to shut down due to lack of proper licensing. For some time we have toyed with having a hike (walk) along the cart path that served the golf course. Today is the day to imagine what playing golf at Mount Charleston would have been like. This should be an easy to moderate outing covering 2 or 3 miles that climbs the ridge to the south of the main canyon wash. The group will assemble at the Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Marg Biesiada.

Thursday, August 11 - Window in the Cliff. Starting from the north trail head for Bonanza Trail, the route climbs the myriad of switchbacks to the saddle north of Bonanza Peak, then turns right toward Willow Peak for about one-third mile of intense scrambling over and past rock formations and scree to a 30-foot wide hole affording great views as far as the nuclear testing area. Total elevation gain should be just under 2,000 feet. This is a strenuous out-and-back hike covering a distance of 8 miles. The gravel road leading to the trail head is best driven by high clearance vehicles. The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, August 12 - Deer Creek. Get ready for a peek back into the history of the Spring Mountains on this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike that gains about 900 feet of elevation. Starting off through the Deer Creek Picnic Area and along the stream, the group will soon reach a collection of 1930's resort cabins that are being restored by their proud owner. The remains of a sawmill just above the cabins and a few building sites associated with it complete the tour back in time. This is a joint Around the Bend Friends/Over the Hills Hikers outing, with the OHH group leaving from the Siena Community Center at 8:00 AM and the ABF group leaving Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM. The two groups will combine at the start of Kyle Canyon Road shortly thereafter. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, August 13 - Mary Jane Falls. While there may not be any water flowing over the multi-tiered 100-foot waterfall, this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike is still pleasant as it climbs through the forest and past cliffs to the base of the falls. Total elevation gain is listed as 920 feet, but more than a dozen switchbacks ease the climb rate and offer some excellent views of the west end of Kyle Canyon. Participants wanting to explore a bit more can visit the shallow cave at the base of the cliffs just beyond the waterfall. The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Marg Biesiada.

Monday, August 15 - Fletcher Canyon. One of the most rewarding short hikes in the Spring Mountains, this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike includes a section at the top end that passes through a canyon with cliff walls on either side that at one point narrow to five feet. Most of the hike is on trail with four short sections that are a bit steep and loose, but none of these is more than 100 feet long. Some scrambling is required in the narrows, but it isn't of major significance. The snack break will occur at the base of Obstacle Rock. Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinators - Diane Dempsey & Susan Haase.

Tuesday, August 16 - Bonanza Trail. This hike will be the whole enchilada as it will cover the entire distance between the ski resort at the top of Lee Canyon and the northern trail head near Cold Creek. This very strenuous hike is point-to-point and will cover a total distance of 15 miles while engaging in two major climbs, one at the start and one in the middle. We expect to have enough participants to split into two groups with one leaving from each end and exchanging keys in the middle at the lunch break. High clearance vehicles are recommended for the gravel road leading to the northern trail head. Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be 7:00 AM. Please RSVP with Chris Dempsey if you intend to participate. Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Wednesday, August 17 - Cathedral Rock/Little Falls. Return to the thrilling days of Mondays on the Mount (on a Wednesday) as the group tackles the 950 foot climb through Mazie Canyon to the top of the magnificent rock outcropping towering over the Mount Charleston Lodge at the end of Kyle Canyon Road. After descending, take a short side trip to a 20-foot waterfall near the base of the outcropping that will probably be dry by that time in summer. Total distance is about 4 miles with a moderate rating. The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station with a departure time of 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, August 18 - Mummy Springs. Usually this hike gets scheduled earlier in the year but somehow it got misplaced this time. Done as a counter-clockwise loop from the North Loop trail head, the route climbs past Deer Creek on a ridge that leads to the trail past the springs to the higher elevations of Mummy Mountain. After a snack stop at the springs, the group will pass Raintree on the return leg down North Loop Trail. Total distance for this moderately strenuous hike is between 6 and 7 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain. The ridge leading to Mummy Springs is quite steep. The departure time from Santa Fe Station will be 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, August 19 - Wild Horse Canyon. Another of our staple hikes that accommodate a leisurely pace will be held as a joint Around the Bend Friends/Over the Hills Hikers outing. Done as a clockwise loop, the moderate 3.3-mile hike opens with an 800 foot climb up the North Loop Trail to the open meadows slightly more than a mile and a half away, where the rest stop will occur. The descent portion of the hike is into a heavily wooded narrow canyon with a few natural springs that support aquatic plants. The canyon exits through picturesque Split Rock. Over the Hills Hikers will meet at the Siena Community Center for an 8:00 AM departure with the ABF group leaving Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM. The two groups will join at the start of Kyle Canyon Road. Coordinators - Diane Dempsey & Susan Haase.

Saturday, August 20 - South Loop 1st Overlook. One of the more difficult hikes our club undertakes on a Saturday, this hike will be done at a leisurely pace to allow all the participants to get to the ledge at 9,000 feet that provides sensational views of Kyle Canyon. Total distance for the out-and-back hike is 4.8 miles and there is 1,400 feet of elevation gain. Fourteen switchbacks ease the final grade to the overlook and one of them has a boulder containing an array of ancient seabed fossils that really stand out when water is splashed on the rock. The group will meet at Santa Fe Station with a departure time of 8:30 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 23 - Trail Canyon/Fletcher Canyon. It's 1,400 feet of climb getting up the 2.2 miles of Trail Canyon to the intersection with North Loop Trail and 2,000 feet of descent going down through Fletcher Canyon to its start at Kyle Canyon Road. All of this occurs during a 6-mile point-to-point hike rated as strenuous because of its steepness and irregular terrain. The creek through upper Fletcher usually runs year round, allowing participants to dip their feet in a pool below an 8-foot waterfall less than a mile above Obstacle Rock. The group will be assembling at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Thursday, August 25 - Horse Trough at Telephone Canyon. Here is a chance for newcomers to Around the Bend Friends to participate in one of the old standards developed by our longer-term club members. Starting from Robbers' Roost along Highway 158, the route will follow a counter clockwise loop in the top section of the canyon. After an initial descent into the central part of the canyon, the group will follow a trail that crosses to the east side in search of a horse watering trough along the multi-use trails overlooking Angel Peak. Parts of the return are along abandoned recreational gravel roads. Rating is moderate and total distance is 5 miles. Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinators - Marg Biesiada & Guy Galante.

Friday, August 26 - Sawmill Trails. A combined Around the Bend Friends/Over the Hills Hikers outing, this moderate 3-mile loop hike behind the Sawmill Picnic Area rolls through a large stand of cliff roses before making the one significant climb of a few hundred feet onto a ridge north of the picnic area. The ridge offers excellent views to the northeast, including dry lake beds and part of Creech Air Force Base. The return leg goes through part of the Blue Tree rustic campground area. Over the Hills Hikers will leave from the Siena Community Center at 8:00 AM, Around the Bend Friends members will leave from Santa Fe at 8:15 AM, and the two groups will meet at the Sawmill Picnic Area shortly before 9:00 AM. Coordinator - Guy Galante.

Saturday, August 27 - Fletcher Canyon. This scenic 4-mile out-and-back hike is rated moderate and is one of the better short hikes in the Spring Mountains, making it perfectly suited for a Saturday. The first mile and a half plus winds through the forest with a gradual elevation gain and the possibility of flowing water in the creek as the trail heads toward a narrow slot canyon. Within the canyon, 100-foot walls close to within 5 feet as the group scrambles to the base of Obstacle Rock for a snack break before returning. The meeting location is at Santa Fe Station and the departure time is 8:30 AM. Coordinator - Guy Galante.

Sunday, August 28 - Lee Peak. This will NOT be the traditional route to the unofficial peak on the ridge east of Devil's Thumb that is usually accessed by Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail. Instead, it will be a partial exploratory hike that starts from the ski resort in Lee Canyon and climbs past the ski runs using the natural drainage and ridge routes afforded by the terrain. Scree is abundant and is a concern on the down slope. Estimated distance is 7 to 8 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM. As this is a very strenuous hike not suitable for most members, those interested should check with the coordinator at 510-0875 or br3vs@yahoo.com prior to the hike. Coordinator - John Snail.

Tuesday, August 30 - Bonanza Peak. This will probably be the last time this year that the club makes the long trip to the community of Cold Creek and the drive up a rough gravel road to the north end of the Bonanza Trail. Climbing through a series of switchbacks, the trail hits a saddle between Bonanza and Willow Peaks, then heads south toward the official top looking across from McFarland Peak at the northern end of the Spring Mountains. Total distance for this strenuous out-and-back hike is 10 miles. The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

If you have any hikes you would like to suggest, please contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or 823-2355. You can either make a simple request for a specific hike or volunteer to coordinate one. We do have some guidelines that we try to maintain for certain days. Friday and Saturday hikes are generally shorter and more social with a leisurely pace. Tuesday hikes are as difficult as you can get. Thursday hikes are also quite strenuous, but generally not as tough as Tuesdays and usually at a slower pace. Hikes scheduled for Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays can vary substantially in terms of difficulty based on who has volunteered to coordinate and what they would like to do. On occasion, we may offer more than one hike on a given day if they are of different difficulty or speed levels.