July Hike List 2011

Here is the listing of scheduled club hikes for the month of July 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 702-823-2355 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.


Saturday, July 2 - Wild Horse Canyon. This scenic 3.3-mile loop hike starts at the trail head for North Loop Trail on Highway 158 at 8,400 feet of elevation. The first half of the hike climbs to a meadows area for a snack break, gaining 700 feet of elevation in the process. The second half of the moderate loop descends into Wild Horse Canyon, which is densely forested with a few springs, flowing water, and aquatic plants. The only difficult section of the trail is the steep descent into the canyon after leaving the meadows. The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Sunday, July 3 - Mount Charleston. The big hike in the Spring Mountains is rated very strenuous, since it covers a total distance of 17 miles and gains over 4,200 feet of elevation getting to the peak. Because of the heavy and late snow levels in the higher elevations, this trek will follow the out-and-back route along South Loop Trail. Even so, there may still be a stray pile or two of the white stuff to negotiate on the way up to the saddle just north of Griffith Peak. The departure time from Santa Fe Station will be 5:30 AM, much earlier than normal hikes. Please RSVP with Chris Dempsey if you plan on taking part. Coordinator- Brian Dodd.

Tuesday, July 5 - Fletcher Peak. Our earlier attempt at this mountain was rebuffed by strong winds and cold temperatures, with both numbers around 40 (degrees and wind speed). The standard approach will take to group up North Loop Trail to the cutoff and on to the peak, covering a distance of 7.5 miles and gaining 1,700 feet of elevation. This trek carries a strenuous rating, but it is probably the easiest major peak around Kyle Canyon to access. There is some scrambling near the top as the trail tends to become obscure. The group will have a 7:30 AM departure from Santa Fe Station. Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Wednesday, July 6 - South Loop 3rd Overlook. The Around the Bend Friends and Lone Mountain Hiking Club continue with the second of a three hike series intended to get first-timers to one of the 11,000-foot peaks in the Spring Mountains. Today's hike will be a moderately strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike to a rock outcropping along the South Loop Trail. Gaining 2,100 feet of elevation, this hike can be viewed as a test of endurance, and the pace will be set to accommodate those individuals willing to give it a try. The Lone Mountain group will leave from Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin at 7:00 AM, the ABF group will leave from Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM, and the two groups will get together at the Cathedral Rock parking area prior to the start of the hike. Coordinator - Jerry Blum.

Wednesday, July 6 - Raintree. It isn't often that you get your choice of hikes for a day in the Spring Mountains, but today will be an exception. Although this hike is a moderately strenuous 6-mile out-and-back climbing 1,500 feet of elevation, it is designed to accommodate those individuals who would like to stretch their boundaries but are concerned about getting into too fast a group. This particular outing will assume a slow pace and incorporate some extra stops, so if you are interested in challenging yourself a bit join this group for a day on North Loop Trail. The destination is the 3,000 year old bristlecone pine that sits on a ridge below Mummy's Toe. The group will meet at Santa Fe and depart at 8:00 AM for the trail head. Coordinator - Pam Washington.

Thursday, July 7 - Cockscomb Peak. This will mark the first time our club has attempted to summit the rocky peak topping Cockscomb Ridge and it should be interesting. The strenuous 6-mile point-to-point hike will start with Trail Canyon to the North Loop junction, then out along the ridge by the traditional route. Just before getting to the base of the rock comb, the group will descend along the eastern base and climb to the top from the back side. The return will be down Fletcher Canyon with plenty of scrambling, including a drop through the rabbit hole. The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM. Those wanting to participate should RSVP with Chris Dempsey by return e-mail. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, July 8 - Telephone Canyon. This is a very popular group hike for people that don't want to get out of breath climbing steep trails, because nearly the entire route goes downhill. Starting from the Robbers' Roost parking area the route, which consists mostly of trail with some gravel road, drops over 1,000 feet of elevation and finishes near the police substation along Kyle Canyon Road. Total distance for the point-to-point hike is 4 miles with a moderate rating. This hike will be a joint Around the Bend Friends/Over the Hills Hikers outing, with the Over the Hills group departing Siena at 8:00 AM and the ABF group departing Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM. The groups will meet near the start of Kyle Canyon Road. A few extra vehicles will be needed to accommodate the car shuttle. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, July 9 - Bristlecone Trail. Participants will be seeing the best of the Bristlecone Trail twice today, as the group will be doing a moderate 4 to 5-mile out-and-back hike along the western section of the trail, which is mostly a single track path climbing gently through the woods, to the junction with Bonanza Trail. Total elevation gain is about 600 feet and the route provides stunning views of Mummy Mountain the two Sisters, and a good glimpse of Mount Charleston near the turn-around point. The group meets at Santa Fe Station and departs from there at 8:30 AM. Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Monday, July 11 - Stanley B Mine & Springs. Debris from a winter storm involving high winds has choked the narrow canyon above the mine shafts, which will probably necessitate altering the strategy for this hike into Stanley B Springs offered by Around the Bend Friends. The most likely possibility is to conduct the hike starting from the parking area near the Mount Charleston Visitor Center and the Fletcher Trail and follow Kyle Canyon drainage up to the normal start of the hike about a mile to the west. If that route is followed, total distance should be about 4 miles. Elevation gain should only be 600 feet and there is a small amount of minor scrambling, resulting in a moderate rating. The group will be meeting on the 3rd floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Guy Galante.

Tuesday, July 12 - North Sister. This very strenuous hike only covers a total distance of 4 or 5 miles, but it includes some of the steepest and loosest terrain to be found in the Spring Mountains. Starting from Lee Canyon, the route will climb to the top of a distinctive peak almost directly north of Mummy Mountain. There are some cliffs that have to be negotiated getting to the top, but rather than equipment they essentially require extra care. The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station and departing at 8:00 AM. Because of the difficulty and danger involved in the hike, participants will be screened. If interested, please contact Chris Dempsey by telephone or e-mail. Coordinators - Larry Dunn & Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, July 13 - Griffith Peak. Today is graduation day for those who began training a few weeks ago to accomplish getting to the top of the third highest official peak in the Spring Mountains. The Around the Bend Friends and Lone Mountain Hiking Club will be combining forces for this strenuous 10-mile out-and-back hike that gains 3,400 feet while climbing along the South Loop Trail. A slower pace is probably the rule of the day to accommodate people trying this summit for the first time. The Lone Mountain group will leave from Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin at 7:00 AM, with the ABF group leaving Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM. The groups will combine at the Cathedral Rock parking area. Coordinator - Jerry Blum.

Wednesday, July 13 - Deer Creek. Even though this 3-mile out-and-back hike is rated easy to moderate, it still has a couple of short, steep climbs (and descents) along the route. That shouldn't be a problem, though, as this hike will be conducted at a leisurely pace for the benefit of participants who might be concerned with going faster than their comfort level. Total elevation gain is 800 feet and most of the surface is gravel road that services a number of personal residences and summer cabins in the area. The group will be assembling at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Pam Washington.

Thursday, July 14 - Pahrump Overlook Peak. This strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike sponsored by Around the Bend Friends will have as its objective a high rock outcropping along a ridge extending northwest from the top of Lee Canyon toward Pahrump, with good views of that city. The route involves a considerable amount of scrambling along the ridge, which is accessed from the No Name Trail near the saddle at the mid-point of that trail. The approach to the ridge is then made along a steep trail that can be quite loose. Be prepared for obstacles left from winter storms in the area. The group will assemble on the 3rd floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.

Friday, July 15 - Raintree via North Loop. The combined Around the Bend Friends/Over the Hills Hikers will tackle the eastern end of the North Loop Trail this week with a moderately strenuous out-and-back hike to a 3,000 year old bristlecone pine. Climbing about 1,500 feet of elevation, the trail tops out just under 10,000 feet winding through the forest to the base of Mummy's Toe. The steepest section is up a series of twelve switchbacks just below the high point. The Over the Hills group will meet at the Siena Community Center for an 8:00 AM departure, the ABF group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM, and the two groups will combine near Highway 95 and Kyle Canyon Road. Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, July 16 - Wild Horse Ridge. This moderate 3.3-mile loop hike starts up North Loop Trail from the eastern trail head, climbing 700 feet in the process, with a snack break at an open meadows area that is the highest point the group will reach on this day. After the break, the route follows the start of the Wild Horse Trail until the canyon route turns steeply downhill. The route for this hike continues on a faint trail, gaining the ridge between Wild Horse and Deer Creek Canyons, and continues back to the starting point. There is some minor scrambling, a short section of steep downhill terrain, and some great views along the route. Meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Monday, July 18 - Bristlecone Loop. At the top of Lee Canyon is a moderate 6-mile loop hike along one of the more popular trails in the Spring Mountains. With two trail heads to choose from, there is an opportunity to vary the route and alter the scenery by going in the opposite direction. Part of the trail is through a heavy stand of forest, part is along a gravel forest service road, and a section of less than a mile is on pavement. This is the only trail in the Spring Mountains that allows mountain biking, so hikers should keep an eye out for this species, as well as the mule deer that frequent the area. The group will be using Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Susan Haase.

Tuesday, July 19 - Mummy's Tummy. It's that time of year to make the annual pilgrimage to the top of the second highest peak in the Spring Mountains. With an elevation gain of 3,900 feet and a total distance of 9 miles, this very strenuous out-and-back hike tests the abilities of even skilled hikers. The toughest sustained section is the scree field above North Loop Trail that must be tackled in order to gain the approach ridge, but the scrambling fun continues right to the final notch in the surrounding cliffs that leads to the top. The meeting location is Santa Fe Station and the departure time is 7:30 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, July 20 - Fletcher Canyon. It will be a return of Mondays on the Mount on a Wednesday with our special guest coordinator, who will lead us on a moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike into a beautiful slot canyon from the starting point near the Mount Charleston Visitor Center. There is only about 600 feet of elevation gain along the gentle trail that eventually leads to a narrowing of the canyon. Over the last part of the route getting to Obstacle Rock, the cliff walls on either side pull in so that in one section the bottom of the canyon is only five feet across. Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, July 21 - Trail Canyon/Fletcher Canyon. This is only marginally a repeat of the hike that was held the previous day, as the ending point is the same. This strenuous 6-mile point-to-point route will start with a trek up Trail Canyon to the junction with North Loop Trail past Cockscomb Ridge. Turning east on that trail for a short distance, the group will try to find the easiest descent into the top portion of Fletcher Canyon. As the group winds through a spectacular setting of cliffs and forest, it will have to negotiate a few scrambling areas before dropping through the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock. Meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, July 22 - Kyle Canyon Wash. The second point-to-point hike in as many days will be quite a bit easier than the first as it is an all downhill route. Starting near the parking area for Cathedral Rock, the group will access the main drainage for Kyle Canyon, using adjoining trails whenever possible, and wind up climbing out of the drainage near the Mount Charleston Hotel in lower Kyle Canyon. The total distance hiked will be close to 4 miles. Somewhat over half of the route is in the drainage, requiring minor scrambling. Rating is moderate, and a few extra cars will be needed to transport drivers back to the starting point. The Over the Hills Hikers group will meet at Siena for an 8:00 AM departure with the ABF group leaving Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM and the two groups joining along Kyle Canyon Road. Coordinators - Diane Dempsey & Susan Haase.

Saturday, July 23 - Cathedral Rock. It's time for a return trek to the top of this massive rock outcropping near the base of the ridge between Mount Charleston and Griffith Peak. A moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike climbing 950 feet, the official trail passes through avalanche prone Mazie Canyon to an old abandoned gravel road that was originally built to access a well point for the communities below. The view of Kyle Canyon from the top is spectacular. Short side trip also can be taken to the manhole at the well or to Little Falls upon returning to the parking lot. Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Nienaber.

Monday, July 25 - South Loop 3rd Overlook. A repeat of a hike the club did at the beginning of the month will take the group to a sensational rock outcropping high above Kyle Canyon. From this vantage point, you can look down quite a ways to the top of Cathedral Rock. An out-and-back hike of 7 miles with a gain of 2,100 feet along the South Loop Trail, this trek is rated moderately strenuous. Even this late into the summer, it is likely the group will encounter some hard packed snow remaining from a minor avalanche and a narrow canyon crossing before a series of switchbacks on the way up to the 1st overlook. The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jerry Blum.

Tuesday, July 26 - Mummy's Toe. Some people have been asking about visiting various parts of Mummy's anatomy, and here is another one. The strenuous 8-mile hike today will be a partial loop/partial out-and-back that will climb a ridge close to Deer Creek, winding up on the trail above Mummy Springs that leads to the toe. As the trail deteriorates, the scramble to the top becomes intense. On the way down, the group will opt for a somewhat easier route by passing Mummy Springs and Raintree and following the North Loop Trail to the parking area. The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, July 27 - Telephone Canyon Loop. The hike today is the outcome of an experiment conducted in early June when another group didn't have enough hikers to justify spotting cars at either end of our traditional hike down from Robbers' Roost. The result is a moderate 5-mile loop that gains 900 feet of elevation as it follows (but doesn't see much of) Highway 158 heading toward the Roost. The descent into the canyon requires care to avoid falling and is the only steep section of the hike. Foliage in the canyon includes pine, oak, and mountain mahogany. The group will depart from Santa Fe Station for the hike at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, July 28 - Bonanza Trail. First of all you need to know that we will not be doing the full trail between the ski resort and Cold Creek. Our hike today will be a moderately strenuous out-and-back along the southern portion of the trail from the ski resort that will go along the ridge to an open spot with great views of Mack's Peak and the Sisters. We will not be going as far as McFarland and the total distance should be around 8 miles. There is still plenty of challenge as we will climb part way on No Name Trail and the surroundings are beautiful. Meet the group at Santa Fe Station, leaving from there at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, July 29 - Mary Jane Falls. The water will probably have stopped trickling over the 100-foot waterfall with most of the snow having melted off the higher elevations of the North Ridge, but there still may be a pile of snow in the shadows at the base of the waterfall. Total distance for this moderate out-and-back hike is close to 3 miles and there is 920 feet of elevation gain. This hike will combine the Around the Bend Friends and Over the Hills Hikers on another Friday excursion into the Spring Mountains. The Over the Hills group will meet at the Siena Community Center with an 8:00 AM departure and the Around the Bend group will leave from Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM, joining forces near the start of Kyle Canyon Road. Coordinator - Susan Haase.

Saturday, July 30 - Trail Canyon. Even though today is the travel day for club members going on the Ely trip, there will still a social Saturday club hike. The target will be the junction of Trail Canyon and North Loop Trail behind Cockscomb Ridge. To get there, the group will be gaining about 1,500 feet of elevation on a moderately strenuous out-and-back hike of 4.4 miles on the Trail Canyon Trail. The lower stages of the trail are fairly steep and head straight toward Mummy Mountain. The upper portion has several switchbacks and an easier climb rate. The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Nienaber.


For those people interested in the club outing to Ely, the dates of the trip will be July 30 to August 3. We will be staying at the quaint Nevada Hotel with fairly inexpensive room rates. Based on weather being good, the first day of hiking will be in Great Basin National Park some 60 miles away, the second day will be in Cave Lake State Park about 15 miles away, and the third day could be in Ward Mountain Wilderness Area just south of the town. More information about this club trip can be found in the monthly newsletter.


If you have any hikes you would like to suggest, please contact Chris Dempsey at lvdempsey@aol.com or 702-823-2355. You can either make a simple request for a specific hike or you can volunteer to coordinate it. 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 fairly slow pace. Tuesday hikes are as difficult as you can get. Thursday hikes are also quite strenuous, but generally not as tough as Tuesdays. 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. Also, when we return to Red Rock Canyon in late September, we will be scheduling more than one hike on Saturdays to control numbers within the Conservation Area.