January 2013 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it comes out each month (except December) so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

 

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for January 2013.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The more strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to existing club members.  In addition, Tuesday participants should have completed at least two of the Thursday hikes, which are generally rated moderately strenuous or strenuous.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated either moderate or moderately strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week may vary significantly depending on who has volunteered to serve as coordinator.  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 MUST begin with the later Saturday hikes or a weekday hike rated no more than moderate before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of a hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo! Groups informing of any changes or cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or at (702) 823-2355.

 

Nearly all of the hikes during January will occur either in the area around Red Rock Canyon or close to Lake Mead.  For most Red Rock area hikes, the primary meeting place is the parking lot somewhat in front of the Best Buy store on the north side of Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  The store backs up to Highway 215 and the entrance to the parking lot is off Canyon Pointe.  For hikes west on Highway 160, there is a secondary pickup point at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to accommodate south side participants.  The primary meeting locations for Lake Mead hikes will be different depending on which side of the lake the hike occurs.  For hikes on the south side of the lake, the primary meeting location will generally be under the large outdoor sign at the Henderson Fiesta, located immediately southeast of the intersection of I-515 (also identified as Highways 93 and 95) and I-215 on Lake Mead Parkway (the extension of I-215).  For hikes on the north side of the lake, the primary assembly point will be the parking lot at the Albertsons Grocery Store located just southeast of the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard (not Parkway) and Hollywood.  A secondary pickup point will be at the pull-off parking area at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road.  Participants from the south side may wish to carpool from Henderson Fiesta going to the secondary pickup point, but this earlier departure point is not organized or controlled.  For west side participants on Lake Mead hikes, there will be an earlier gathering site available, but it may not be controlled.  For south side hikes, that prior location is at Best Buy as indicated above.  For north side hikes, the meeting location is the top level of the Rampart Casino parking garage.  The Rampart Casino is located on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway and the parking garage is on the northeast side of the casino complex.  One other primary meeting spot needs to be mentioned.  For all Valley of Fire hikes, the primary meeting site will be at Lucky Club Casino, located on Cheyenne Avenue on the east side of I-15 in North Las Vegas.  Use the eastbound Cheyenne exit ramp if heading north on I-15.  Directions to the staging points for any other hikes will be included in the descriptive write-up for those hikes.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin assembling as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

 

Tuesday, January 1 - Cave Canyon & Las Vegas Overlook.  This month the schedule includes a number of scrambling or minor exploratory hikes on Blue Diamond Hill across from the Red Rock Visitor Center, starting with this one.  The strenuous loop route will start with some serious boulder scrambling in the canyon that includes climbing two dry waterfalls.  At the far end of the canyon the route will turn left on an old mining road and proceed back to the new Las Vegas Overlook notch.  The last third of the hike involves a trek across the top of the hill to the Muffins and a descent to the parking lot along the regular trail.  Total distance is probably around 8 miles.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Wednesday, January 2 - Razorback Wash South.  Somewhat of a new hike for our club, this moderate point-to-point hike will cover 6.3 miles as it follows a series of washes through the Pinto Valley Wilderness Area.  The hike will start between Mile Markers 22 and 23 on Northshore Road, come along the south side of Razorback Ridge, and finish through Cottonwood Wash, exiting near Mile Marker 18.  Net elevation gain is less than 400 feet.  Extra vehicles will be required for carpooling.  An early west side group will meet at the Rampart parking garage and depart at 7:20 AM to meet the main group at the Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood.  The combined group will depart from there at 8:00 AM and do a quick stop at the Mile Marker 4 pull-off at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Boone.

 

Thursday, January 3 - Lone Palm.  The Arizona side of the Colorado River provides the setting for this moderately strenuous scramble that is reasonably short at 4 to 5 miles.  The loop route begins at a pull-out a few miles across the bridge and descends through a series of canyons to the river, where the original palm tree (now dead) has been replaced by another one at the base of a minor hot springs stream.  The return will follow the route of an abandoned road used during the construction of Hoover Dam.  Departure from the west side location at Best Buy is at 7:20 AM with the entire group leaving Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, January 4 - Blue Diamond Bike Trails.  We will be using the somewhat shorter version of the return on this moderate loop hike that takes place mainly on the ridge behind the community of Blue Diamond.  That means we will stay on the left side of the canyon leading back to the town, which should keep the distance close to a total of 4.5 miles.  Elevation gain is in the order of 500 feet, there are some fairly good views of the surrounding area including southern Las Vegas, and we might spot wild burros along the way.  The group will assemble at Best Buy with a departure time of 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, January 5 - Callville Ridge Plane Crash Site.  A short climb to a ridge near Callville Bay and a trek along a rocky ridge line leads to the remains of a 1950's military plane crash.  The moderately strenuous loop hike continues through a wash requiring some scrambling on dry waterfalls.  Total distance will be 5 or 6 miles.  The early west side group will meet at the Rampart Casino parking garage for a 7:20 AM exit.  The main group, including the early contingent, will depart from Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood at 8:00 AM and will meet the coordinators with the sign-in sheet at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road at 8:20 AM for the final drive to the trail head.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Saturday, January 5 - Valley of Fire Three Slot Canyon.  A moderate outing with minimal elevation gain and some light scrambling, this 3.5-mile loop hike provides plentiful views of colorful sandstone formations, so be sure and bring your camera.   Because of the distance involved and the $8.00 entrance fee per vehicle, our coordinator suggests a ride share cost of $10.00 including park entrance.  The early west side group will leave the top of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:30 AM and will join the main group at the Lucky Club Casino for an 8:15 AM departure.  Expect to return to that meeting point around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Sunday, January 6 - River Mountains Trail (Part 1).  It's back!!  The 35-mile trail circling the River Mountains will be done again this year over two Sundays in January and one in February.  The first segment of the paved trail will follow the uphill section starting at the lower lot by the Alan Bible Visitor Center and ending at the Railroad Pass Casino.  This stretch is 10 miles in length and gains probably 1,000 feet of elevation at a very gradual rate.  It's hard to rate this as any more than moderate, even with the distance, because there is no problem with the footing.  In fact, sticks are not needed.  The west side contingent will depart from Best Buy at 7:50 AM and join the other participants at Railroad Pass Casino on Highway 93-95, where at least one vehicle will be left for the car shuttle, and a departure to Alan Bible at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez. 

 

Monday, January 7 - Echo Canyon to Skull Canyon.  Canyons are in abundance on this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike on Blue Diamond Hill.  Begin with some scrambling in the confines of Echo Canyon, then follow the abandoned mining road and trails around the top of Cave Canyon and start down Boneshaker Trail for a quarter mile.  A trail to the right then crosses another canyon and ridge and intersects the Skull Canyon Trail about one-half mile below the old Las Vegas Overlook.  Keep an eye out for burros along the way as at least one herd is known to frequent the area.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, January 8 - Summerlin & Bighorn Peaks.  Only aggressive hikers should attempt this double limestone peak hike standing tall above the northwest quadrant of Las Vegas.  The route crosses the desert to the back side of Eagle Peak, then starts a very steep climb without benefit of trail along a ridge with exposure and on to the first peak.  The route between the peaks is not as steep but is still quite rough and the return is back down the original ridge.  Overall, this very strenuous hike should cover a distance of 6 miles with 2,500 feet of elevation gain.  Instead of Best Buy, meet the group at the white fenced equestrian parking lot on the west end of Cheyenne Avenue for an 8:00 AM start to the hike.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, January 9 - Arizona Hot Springs.  Visit the shores of the Colorado River on this moderately strenuous 6-mile loop hike that has the descent during the first half of the outing.  Spectacular White Rock Canyon provides the setting for this part of the trek.  After a snack break, the group will climb the ladder to the hot springs pools, wade through them, and return to the starting point in a different canyon.  Bring a towel to dry your feet and legs before putting your hiking shoes back on.  West side group will leave from Best Buy at 7:20 AM to meet the main group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, January 10 - Cholla Forest.  This moderately strenuous loop hike will cover a distance of 6 to 7 miles on the south flank of the River Mountains.  The route will begin by following a wash upwards through a series of dry waterfalls to approach a concentrated area of silver Teddy Bear Cholla cactus near the base of the mountains.  After a snack break, the group will loop back to the starting point going across the desert and use some recreational gravel roads in the process.  The group from the west side will depart from Best Buy at 8:15 AM.  The full group will leave from Henderson Fiesta at 9:00 AM.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Friday, January 11 - Black Mesa.  This elongated ridge on the north side of Lake Mead across from Fortification Hill holds a commanding presence over Boulder Basin and excellent views of the area.  The route is a moderate 4-mile loop to the summit that is accomplished without any kind of trail, so be prepared for lots of bushwhacking.  The edge of the mesa is fairly steep and rocky but is not more than Class 2 (no hands needed) with trekking poles being very helpful.  The usual Friday group from the west side will have to leave much earlier than normal as departure time from Best Buy (not Rampart) will be 7:25 AM.  This will put the departure time for main group meeting at the Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood at around 8:15 AM, and the final stopover at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road around 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Jim Boone.

 

Saturday, January 12 - Black Mountain.  This strenuous 7-mile loop hike will take the group to the actual Black Mountain near Boulder City.  The route goes up to the overlook and continues toward the peak on a narrow sheep trail.  Some scrambling is required to reach the peak with a sign-in box.  The return will descend through a rocky wash.  Be prepared for some rough sections of trail or no trail at all in spots.  The west side group will leave Best Buy at 7:20 AM to join the main group at Henderson Fiesta and an 8:00 AM departure.  The coordinators will meet the group at the River Mountains Trail parking lot next to St. Jude Children's Home for a start of the hike around 8:15 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Saturday, January 12 - White Owl Canyon.  The toughest part of the entire hike is the steep bank that comes into play at the beginning and ending of the hike.  Otherwise, there is a very minor amount of scrambling in the narrow canyon that has been home for years to at least one White Owl.  Evidence is abundant with a number of deposits of mouse bones scattered in the heart of the canyon.  Distance for this easy to moderate out-and-back hike is 2 to 3 miles with negligible elevation gain.  The west side group will leave Best Buy at 7:50 AM with the coordinator to meet the main group at Henderson Fiesta and an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Sunday, January 13 - River Mountains Trail (Part 2).  The second leg of the big hike will cover the distance of 12 miles between Railroad Pass Casino and the Lake Mead fee booth by Lake Las Vegas.  This section of the paved trail tends to go upward but has some rolling terrain and a couple of inclines in the 15% range.  Perhaps we need to bump the rating up to moderately strenuous because of the distance.  The west side group will leave from Best Buy at 7:50 AM and meet the main group at the Henderson Fiesta, where all participants should be by 8:25 AM.  Cars will be shuttled to the finish before the group heads to Railroad Pass for the start of the hike.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, January 14 - Muffins to Tailings.  We don't often get to the core of the mining operation on Blue Diamond Hill, but this moderately strenuous 9-mile hike will take us there.  After climbing to the Muffins and on to both of the Las Vegas Overlooks, the route will follow a gravel mining road over to the upper tailings piles, then descend toward a seldom visited side canyon before reaching the abandoned gravel mining road that was plowed under to keep off-road vehicles from tearing up the hillside.  Our return will be along Fossil Ridge Trail above Echo Canyon.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for a departure at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, January 15 - Valley Of Fire West-East Traverse.  A new hike that was recently developed by our coordinator, this strenuous point-to-point hike will cover close to 9 miles and gain a,900 feet of gross elevation.  The route starts at the southwest corner of the state park and zigzags east to the parking lot at Mouse's Tank.  It then traverses the southern ridges of the park, eventually dropping into the north fork of Valley of Fire Wash and climbing back up to the Elephant Rock parking lot.  Lots of scrambling but no exposure along the way.  The west side group can meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage for a 7:00 AM departure and the entire group will leave from Lucky Club Casino at 7:30 AM.  Plan on not returning until late afternoon.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd. 

 

Wednesday, January 16 - South Bowl of Fire.  This moderate 4-mile loop hike in the Lake Mead area will climb through colorful rock formations to an overlook in the sandstone hills of the South Bowl.  On the return, the group will head down a wash toward the the trail head.  There is significant scrambling involved on both the climb and the descent, but it is generally moderate and is only slightly challenging.  The west side group can meet on top of the Rampart Casino parking garage for an 8:15 AM departure, meet other north side participants at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for a 9:00 AM departure, and stop at the Mile Marker 4 pull off to meet the south group, which will leave with the coordinator from Henderson Fiesta at 9:00 AM.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Thursday, January 17 - Gold Strike Canyon.  Near the Hacienda Casino on 95 is the entrance to Gold Strike Canyon, which contains Nevada's hot springs just below Hoover Dam.  This Thursday hike will explore the entire length of the canyon, passing the hot springs pools and continuing on the the edge of the Colorado River.  There is some pretty significant boulder scrambling along the way, in places aided by existing ropes the scale some of the larger boulders.  Total distance is around 5 miles with a moderately strenuous rating.  The west side group should leave Best Buy at 7:20 AM with the complete group departing from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, January 18 - Razorback Wash North.  On the other side of Razorback Ridge from the January 2 outing, this moderate 5.4-mile point-to-point hike also runs through the Pinto Valley Wilderness Area.  Starting point is close to Mile Marker 22 on Northshore Road, with the route following a series of gentle washes to Cottonwood Wash above the dry waterfall at Cottonwood Springs, then follows Cottonwood Wash to the finish near Mile Marker 18.  Extra vehicles will be required to accomplish the car shuttle.  Again Best Buy will be used as the west side assembly point and a 7:25 AM departure.  The entire group will assemble at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood and leave at 8:15 AM, picking up any southeast participants at Northshore Road Mile Marker 4 around 8:30 AM on the way to the hike.  Coordinator - Jim Boone.

 

Saturday, January 19 - Cholla Forest.  The only repeat of a hike this month will be this moderately strenuous 6 to 7-mile loop hike on the south flank of the River Mountains, but it will probably attract an entirely different crowd from the trek on January 10.  The group will hike up a wash with a series of dry waterfalls, spend the break time next to a sensational Teddy Bear Cholla forest, and return to the starting point via a colorful wash to the original wash.  Some  moderate scrambling is involved in negotiating the dry falls in the early part of the hike.  Progression of departure times from the various meeting locations is 7:25 AM from Best Buy and 8:00 AM from Henderson Fiesta, with the group meeting the coordinators and any Boulder City participants at the lower parking lot at Alan Bible Visitor Center for an 8:20 AM departure.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Saturday, January 19 - Valley of Fire White Domes/Fire Wave.  The third hike this month in Valley of Fire will be an easy to moderate 3-mile jaunt that begins at the White Domes parking lot near the end of the main drive into the State Park.  The route will follow the White Domes Trail past the structure that was part of the movie set for "The Professionals", a 1966 western starring Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, and Claudia Cardinale.  From there it will turn left and pass through a couple narrow slots to a point where you can see a sandstone formation some people have dubbed the Fire Wave.  West side group should meet on top of the Rampart Casino parking garage and leave by 8:00 AM to join the main group at Lucky Club Casino and an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, January 21 - Mystery Canyon on Blue Diamond Hill.  This hike is so new not even the coordinator has explored every nuance of it.  The moderately strenuous 6-mile loop hike will start up Skull Canyon and will turn right into a canyon that parallels the ridge with Boneshaker Trail.  Crossing a connector trail to the top of Skull Canyon, we will continue scrambling up the unnamed canyon to the top, coming out in the vicinity of the radio antenna supporting part of Red Rock.  After a snack break, we will use the infamous Boneshaker Trail to make the descent back to the parking area.  The assembled group will depart from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, January 22 - Calico Scramble.  For those of you who did Kay's famous November 4 scramble hike in the Calico Hills, it's back on the docket - with a twist.  This time the group will be doing it in the reverse direction from that Sunday.  From Red Spring Picnic Area, we'll hike over to Ash Meadows and start up from the east side, which entails a precarious ascent in a nasty chute on the south side of Ash Canyon.  Once on the top ridge of the hills, the route will proceed to the top of Calico Peak and descend through Angel Pass before heading around the south side of the Calico Hills to the starting point.  Total distance for this very strenuous hike is 4 to 5 miles.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinators - Michael O'Connor & Kay Blackwell.

 

Wednesday, January 23 - Red & Black Mountains.  Traditional will be the buzzword for this hike as the group will start from the River Mountains parking lot next to St. Jude Children's Ranch and use the official city trail up to and down from the saddle between the two peaks.  Technically a double out-and-back, distance covered will be around 7 miles for both peaks and gross elevation gain should be around 1,500 feet.  Rating is moderate.  On top of Red Mountain we might catch site of some people experiencing the zip line down Bootleg Canyon.  West side group will leave Best Buy at 7:20 AM and join the main contingent at Henderson Fiesta with an 8:30 AM departure time.  Coordinator - Richard Hansen.

 

Thursday, January 24 - Sandstone Spring & Redstone.  This moderate 7-mile hike on the north side of Lake Mead starts at Mile Marker 25 on Northshore Road and heads south to a canyon leading into Pinto Valley that requires some scrambling.  The route crosses a section of Pinto Valley to a natural spring, then heads toward an area of red sandstone for a trek past a series of formations before returning to the starting point.  Westsiders will leave the top of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:15 AM, join the main group at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure, then pick up the coordinators and any Boulder City participants at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

 

Friday, January 25 - Dale's Trail.  It's between 4 and 5 miles to cover the entire distance on this moderate out-and-back hike that explores the slopes below Rainbow Peak.  The route to be used for this hike will start at the Ice Box Canyon parking lot, starting off on the Ice Box Trail, turning left on Dale's, and taking it all the way over to the Pine Creek Trail before turning around.  Terrain is quite rolling even though there is minimal net elevation gain.  This hike carries a moderate rating.  The group will stage at Best Buy and will leave there at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, January 26 - Gold Butte Grand Petroglyph.  The Gold Butte area provides the backdrop for a moderate 8-mile loop hike with minimal elevation gain that starts at the Falling Man and continues to the Khota Circus Wall, the largest panel of petroglyphs in Clark County.  The return section of the hike will include lots of fun scrambling in a slot canyon.  High clearance vehicles will be required and the drive from Las Vegas to the trail head will take two hours.  As a result, an earlier start than normal will be necessary to get the group back to Las Vegas before nightfall.  The early west side group will meet on top of the Rampart Casino parking garage, leaving at 7:00 AM.  The main collection point will be at Lucky Club Casino with a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Saturday, January 26 - River Mountains Trail Segment.  The leisurely hike for the last Saturday in January will be an easy to moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike along a section of the paved River Mountains Trail starting from the parking lot near the Lake Mead fee booth on Lake Mead Parkway near Lake Las Vegas.  The two mile portion hiked will have some rolling terrain and should provide views of the Lake Mead area where the Las Vegas Wash empties into the lake.  Best Buy will be used for the early west side staging with a departure time of 7:50 AM.  The entire group will leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Monday, January 28 - Calico Hills.  A really straightforward hike is this moderate 6-mile trek along the west side of the Calico Hills.  One of the more rolling trails in Red Rock Canyon, it will cover a distance of 6 miles between the fee booth parking lot and Sandstone Quarry and back.  While net elevation gain is only 700 feet there are several short uphill stretches even on the downward return leg.  Rating is moderate.  The group will get together at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Richard Hansen. 

 

Wednesday, January 30 - White Rock Hills Loop.  It's kind of surprising that this often repeated standard hike in Red Rock Canyon hasn't been scheduled since December 7.  In any event, it's back on the schedule even though quite a number of our members will still be involved in the Palm Springs outing.  The loop hike will start and end at Willow Springs Picnic Area and cover a distance of 6.4 miles in a counter-clockwise direction.  Elevation gain is right at 900 feet and the rating is moderate.  Departure from Best Buy for the trail head will take place at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Richard Hansen.

 

Thursday, January 31 - Virlis Fisher & Bridge Spring Arches.  Two quite different types of arches serve as destinations for this strenuous 4-mile loop hike near the community of Nelson south of Boulder City.  From the small parking area at the top of a gravel pullout, the hike will negotiate a series of drainages to attain a saddle near a shallow cave where the limestone Virlis Fisher arch is visible.  A choppy trek across the desert and a short serious climb takes participants under the arch.  On the return, the group will cross a partial sandstone ridge and descend right to the sandstone arch that spans a narrow canyon with views of the Colorado River.  Best Buy at 7:25 AM and Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM are the departure times.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

January is also the month our very large group of 67 people head to Palm Springs, California for lots of opportunities to explore new trails.  As our erstwhile blog master is going on the journey, you will definitely get to see pictures of some of the great terrain south of us in the Sonoran Desert.  Hopefully all those going will enjoy the trip tremendously.       

December 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it is sent out each month (except December) so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

 

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for December 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The more strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to existing club members.  In addition, Tuesday participants should have completed at least two of the Thursday hikes, which are generally rated moderately strenuous or strenuous.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated either moderate or moderately strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week may vary significantly depending on who has volunteered to serve as coordinator.  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 MUST begin with the later Saturday hikes or a weekday hike rated no more than moderate before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of a hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo! Groups informing of any changes or cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or at (702) 823-2355.

 

Nearly all of the hikes during December will occur either in the area around Red Rock Canyon or close to Lake Mead.  For most Red Rock area hikes, the primary meeting place is the parking lot somewhat in front of the Best Buy store on the north side of Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  The store backs up to Highway 215 and the entrance to the parking lot is off Canyon Pointe.  On a couple of occasions (December 6 and 11), the primary meeting location will be in the parking lot in front of the Albertsons Grocery located on Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive west of 215.   For hikes west on Highway 160, there is a secondary pickup point at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to accommodate south side participants.  The primary meeting locations for Lake Mead hikes will be different depending on which side of the lake the hike occurs.  For hikes on the south side of the lake, the primary meeting location will generally be under the large outdoor sign at the Henderson Fiesta, located immediately southeast of the intersection of I-515 (also identified as Highways 93 and 95) and I-215 on Lake Mead Parkway (the extension of I-215).  On occasion, the Railroad Pass Casino or the River Mountains Trail parking area next to St Jude Children's Home may be used as a primary or secondary assembly or pickup point.  For hikes on the north side of the lake, the primary assembly point will be the parking lot at the Albertsons Grocery Store located just southeast of the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard (not Parkway) and Hollywood.  A secondary pickup point will be at the pull-off parking area at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Road.  Participants from the south side may wish to carpool from Henderson Fiesta going to the secondary pickup point, but this earlier departure point is not organized or controlled.  For west side participants on Lake Mead hikes, there will be an earlier gathering site available, but it may not be controlled.  For south side hikes, that prior location is at Best Buy as indicated above.  For north side hikes, the meeting location is the top level of the Rampart Casino parking garage.  The Rampart Casino is located on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway and the parking garage is on the northeast side of the casino complex.  Directions to the staging points for any other hikes will be included in the descriptive write-up for those hikes.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin assembling as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

 

Saturday, December 1 - North Blue Diamond Ridges.  This moderate loop hike on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill, somewhat across from the entrance to the Red Rock Visitor Center, covers a distance of 6 miles.  The most difficult part of the hike occurs in the first mile as the route ascends quite steeply on Boneshaker Trail to the first plateau.  The second mile is fairly steep but not as difficult, then the trail levels out as it passes the top section of Cave Canyon before continuing the descent along Fossil Ridge.  Total elevation gain is about 1,000 feet.  The trail provides really great views of the Sandstone escarpment on the west side of Red Rock Canyon.  Departure time from Best Buy will be 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, December 1 - Sandstone Quarry Loop.  The leisurely hike in the Red Rock area this particular Saturday will stage from Sandstone Quarry and begin along the Grand Circle Trail, heading across the desert to the sandstone formations north of the parking lot.  The loop route will continue toward the Turtlehead Trail, then pass through some more sandstone formations toward the north end of Red Cap and the trail used for the Ash Canyon Overlook hike.  Total distance should be 3 miles or slightly less and there is some light rock scrambling involved.  Even with the scrambling, the appropriate rating is easy to moderate.  The group will be departing from Best Buy at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Monday, December 3 - White Owl Canyon.  This hike is only possible because the waters of Lake Mead have receded over the last decade and exposed a narrow canyon that is the domain of one or more white owls.  The hike itself is an easy to moderate 2 or 3 mile out-and-back route that starts from the Hole 33 parking lot along Lakeshore Drive.  There is minimal elevation gain involved on the hike, but there is a steep bank that must be descended at the start and ascended at the end along with some minor scrambling in the canyon.  West side departure will be from Best Buy at 7:50 AM with the full group leaving Henderson Fiesta at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, December 4 - Majestic Canyon.  Billed as something of an exploratory hike on the southeast side of the River Mountains, this strenuous loop hike will cover a distance around 6 miles and gain something over 1,000 feet.  The route used involves climbing several dry waterfalls and a traverse past a mountain to the named canyon before looping back to the starting point.  The route will certainly involve areas of loose scree and possibly the use of ropes to descend on some dry waterfalls.  The trail head is located near the Alan Bible Visitor Center.  The group will depart from Henderson Fiesta at 9:00 AM with the early west side group leaving Best Buy about forty minutes prior to that at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Wednesday, December 5 - Red Springs Loop.  It's relatively short at a little under 4 miles, but there is enough scrambling on this trek to satisfy hard core hikers as well.  The moderately strenuous loop route starts at Red Springs Picnic Area and aims for a notch in the Calico Hills that drops into Angel Canyon and passes by the somewhat famous carving of an angel on a sizeable boulder.  On the Red Rock side of the Calico Hills, the route stays mostly in the narrow canyon between the sandstone hills and the scenic drive, coming around the south end of the hills below Balancing Rock.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, December 6 - First Creek Arch.  This hike will start from the First Creek pullout on Highway 159 at the south end of Red Rock Canyon.  The hike is a 4-mile out-and-back rated strenuous.  There is a significant amount of steep off-trail scrambling getting to the arch, but it is definitely worth the effort.  The assembly point for this hike will not be the usual spot at Best Buy.  Instead it will be in the parking lot at the Albertsons Grocery Store located on Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive.  Departure for the trail head will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinators - Richard Natale & Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, December 7 - White Rock Loop.  What could be more standard than this 6.4-mile loop that goes around the two cream-colored mountains at the north end of Red Rock Canyon?  Elevation gain for this moderate trail hike is 900 feet and it will begin at Willow Springs Picnic Area and proceed in a counter clockwise direction, heading through the desert portion of the hike first.  The snack break will occur in the usual place on a sandstone outcropping just below the high point of the trail.  We will be back to using Best Buy as the staging point and will leave there at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, December 8 - Brownstone Canyon.  One of the more significant outings our club attempts on Saturdays, this strenuous out-and-back hike will start from the gravel parking area at the end of the pavement in Calico Basin, proceed up Five Stop Hill and drop into Gateway Canyon.  From there it will be a scrambling effort up the canyon, crossing the top of the sandstone east of Turtlehead Peak and dropping into Brownstone Canyon near the protected wall of pictographs.  Return will be in the reverse direction with total distance around 8 miles.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Saturday, December 8 - Badger Pass.  This loop hike on the south side of Highway 160 fits the bill as a leisurely hike as the group will cover a total distance of 3 miles while gaining about 600 feet of elevation.  The start of the trek will be at a gravel parking area about 3/4 mile south of Highway 160 on a gravel road that will be dusty and a little rough but won't require high clearance vehicles.  Rating will be easy to moderate with a scenic climb along one of the main ridges in the Bird Spring Range and a return along Deadhorse Trail.  Departure time from Best Buy is at 8:30 AM with a secondary pickup at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 around 8:50 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Sunday, December 9 - Red Cap.  Billed as one of the most picturesque short hikes in the Red Rock area, the standard trek to the top of Red Cap only covers a distance of 3 miles, but there is plenty of scrambling involved covering the elevation gain of 900 feet.  Rated strenuous even though it is short, the partial loop route will ascend the ledges on the west and south sides of the sandstone mountain, then descend along Mass Production Wall, a well known climbing site.  The first and last sections of the hike follow the Calico Tanks Trail from Sandstone Quarry.  The group will depart from the assembly point at Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, December 10 - Black Mountain (Boulder City).  We will be welcoming a couple of new coordinators on this moderately strenuous out-and-back 6-mile trek to the top of Black Mountain Overlook in Boulder City.  The route will also be different from the norm as it will start from the Bootleg Canyon parking area below the Boulder City Zip Line and follow some biking trails near the base of the River Mountains to a junction with the regular trail.  Elevation gain is close to 1,200 feet.  The west side group will assemble at Best Buy for a 7:45 AM departure to join the main group in the upper parking lot at RAILROAD PASS CASINO (not Henderson Fiesta).  Railroad Pass Casino is located on Highway 93 & 95 about ten or fifteen minutes south of the Henderson Fiesta.  Departure time for the group from that location is at 8:30 AM.  Coordinators - Linda O'Leary & Gail Surgent.

 

Tuesday, December 11 - Global Peak.  This is a 7-mile hike that starts from the Mountain Springs area near the summit on Highway 160 that is rated very strenuous.  After climbing up and down several limestone hills the route turns into a scramble over sandstone to the peak.  Only the most hard core hikers in the club should attempt this hike, as there is significant difficulty along with exposure.  The meeting place will be the parking lot at the Albertsons Grocery Store on Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive.  Departure from there will be 8:00 AM with a stop at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 about 8:20 AM to pick up any south side participants.  Coordinators - Richard Natale & Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, December 12 - Sloan Canyon to Hidden Valley.  Our club will be joining forces with the Sun City Anthem Hiking Club for a moderately strenuous 7-mile hike on the south side of Las Vegas.  From the Sloan Canyon trail head, the group will hike through a gravel wash and scramble up a couple dry waterfalls to a petroglyph area.  The route continues another 2 miles to Hidden Valley, which offers some fantastic views, and then returns to the starting point along a newly constructed trail.  Elevation gain is around 1,200 feet.  High clearance vehicles are recommended to get to the trail head.  The west side group will leave from Best Buy at 8:15 AM, with the main group meeting at the Albertsons Grocery Store parking lot at Sun City Anthem Drive and Bicentennial Parkway for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Thursday, December 13 - Gray Cap Peak.  It's the traditional route that will be used to get to the top of this limestone capped peak east of Turtlehead.  The strenuous out-and-back hike will start from Sandstone Quarry and drop into Gateway Canyon for the climb to the peak.  There is lots of scrambling over limestone dry waterfalls in the canyon and continuing on the sandstone immediately below the peak.  Total distance is about 6 miles with elevation gain around 1,400 feet.  This is one of the most picturesque hikes in the Red Rock area.  Join the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Friday, December 14 - Ash Canyon Overlook/Petroglyph Loop.  This moderate partial loop hike will start at the Sandstone Quarry parking lot and follow the beginning of the Calico Tanks Trail until it turns into the canyon in the Calico Hills.  The route then continues in the drainage and passes the north end of Red Cap on the way to a great overlook at the top of Ash Canyon.  Following a short break, the group will head north to another set of sandstone formations containing petroglyphs and return to the start along the Turtlehead Trail.  Total distance is 3 to 4 miles with minimal elevation gain and a moderate rating.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, December 15 - Cottonwood Valley.  Wander around on a series of mountain bike trails between Highway 160 and the ridge behind the community of Blue Diamond, looking for evidence of wild burros, on a moderate 6 to 7-mile loop hike that has minimal elevation change.  Although essentially a desert hike, the route will be through an area we seldom visit and will provide some pretty spectacular views of the southern part of the escarpment.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure with a secondary pickup at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, December 15 - Fossil Ridge.  Get some great views of the escarpment and Red Rock Canyon in general from the open top of Fossil Ridge on an easy to moderate 3.6-mile loop trail hike.  The return section of the hike begins on the inside of a twenty foot cliff that sits on the ridge overlooking Echo Canyon, a location that will be the target for the group two days later.  Actual distance may vary by a few tenths of a mile depending on which trail is used for the final descent off the ridge.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Sunday, December 16 - Valley of Fire West East Loop.  This moderately strenuous loop hike in Valley of Fire is 4.5 miles in length and has 1,200 feet of elevation gain, with an expected hiking duration of 3.5 to 4 hours.  The hike starts from a turnoff in the southwest corner of the park, crosses an open area, and climbs through some boulders onto a plateau into a beautiful canyon area.  The high point on the hike provides a great panoramic view overlooking the park.  There are a couple of sections of steep descent on the return, so wear good shoes to avoid slipping.  The west side group will depart from the Rampart parking garage at 7:30 AM and will join the main group at Lucky Club Casino for a full group departure at 8:00 AM.  Lucky Club is located on the northeast corner of the intersection of I-15 and Cheyenne Avenue in the northern part of Las Vegas.  Most people will be taking the Cheyenne exit off northbound I-15 to get there.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

 

Monday, December 17 - Echo Canyon & First Finger.  One of the more interesting treks on Blue Diamond Hill is this combination hike that provides a little scrambling in a narrow canyon along with majestic views from the top of a ridge.  The opening part of the hike has a few short dry waterfalls to negotiate, with the chance of seeing some ancient seabed fossils.  The higher portion is on a ridge separating Echo and Cave Canyons and looks straight back at the heart of Red Rock Canyon.  Distance for the loop hike is about 5 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain and a moderate rating.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Tuesday, December 18 - Juniper Peak.  Another hike intended for only the hard core members of the club, the trek to the top of Juniper Peak combines sections of steep and loose terrain in Juniper Canyon, scrambling over sandstone slabs and around boulders, and exposure.  Distance is around 6 miles for the out-and-back hike and there is somewhat over 2,000 feet of elevation gain.  Needless to say, rating is very strenuous.  Expect the whole thing to take five or six hours plus driving time.  Assembly will be at Best Buy with a departure time of 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, December 19 - Liberty Bell Arch.  One of the classic hikes below the dam on the Colorado River is this moderate 6-mile out-and-back route from the new paved parking area on the Arizona side of the dam to a fantastic overlook 700 feet straight above the river.  Along the route are two noteworthy features.  First comes the site of an old mine with the sluice box on top of a ridge above the closed off mine shafts.  Second comes the spectacular arch in the shape of the Liberty Bell that gives the hike its name.  The route rolls quite a bit with somewhat over 1,000 feet of gross elevation gain.  West side participants will leave from Best Buy at 7:35 AM with the full group departing from Henderson Fiesta at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Thursday, December 20 - Fortification Hill.  This interesting peak on the Arizona side of the Colorado River overlooking the dam was formed both as a volcano (the crater is north of the trail on top) and as a drift spot for other volcanoes to the south.  The hike is quite short for its strenuous rating at only 4 miles, but the gain is around 1,500 feet and includes some exposed scrambling through the cliffs getting to the top level.  Once through the cliffs, the walk to the peak provides great views of the surrounding areas.  High clearance vehicles are required to get to the base of the mountain.  West side group will leave Best Buy at 7:20 AM and the whole group will leave Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, December 21 - Siena Ridge.  The now disbanded Over the Hills Hikers Club used to schedule this hike as the last one each calendar year, so we are somewhat keeping up a tradition.  The hike itself is a moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back effort with little trail, some recreational gravel road, and lots of bushwhacking across the desert and on the ridge.  The terrain itself is not pretty but there are many unique views that are only afforded from the vantage of this ridge on the west side of Town Center Drive.  The main group will gather at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure to the Siena Community Center, where the actual hike will begin about 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, December 22 - Anniversary Narrows.  Last year we had some difficulty doing this hike as the owner of the mine just west of the narrows had closed off the canyon to make some required improvements to maintain the mining claim.  This year it should be open so we can have access to the extremely narrow slot canyon through a mass of conglomerate that runs for one-third mile.  Our coordinator may show us the remains of the abandoned mining town and processing center that sit on a ledge above the drainage.  Total elevation gain for the moderate 5 or 6-mile hike is minimal, but there is some scrambling involved.  The west side group will depart from the Rampart parking garage at 7:20 AM and the whole group will leave from Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Saturday, December 22 - Historic Railroad Tunnels.  For the more leisurely hikers in the club, this easy to moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike starting from the lower parking lot at the Alan Bible Visitor Center will pass through all five tunnels along the rail bed used during the construction of Hoover Dam in the 1930's.  Without continuing on to the dam, elevation gain will only be a few hundred feet.  The trail is quite wide, allowing people to hike side by side, and there are numerous benches along the way to take in the excellent views of Lake Mead.  West side group should leave Best Buy at 7:50 AM to join the main group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:30 AM departure.  The hike will start from the parking lot about twenty minutes later.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, December 24 - Bird Spring Range.  It's not all trail on the route across the main ridge of the small mountain range east of Mount Potosi and South Cottonwood Valley, so wear good shoes for extra traction.  The hike will provide unique views of Las Vegas and the surrounding area and will cross a section of the ridge that has an abundance of ancient seabed fossils.  Total elevation gain should be around 1,300 feet with a distance of 6 miles along the loop route that includes a return along a shallow drainage on Deadhorse Trail.  Rating is moderately strenuous.  The gravel road to the starting point is rough but does not require high clearance.  The group will leave from Best Buy at 8:00 AM with the secondary pickup at the Highway 159 and 160 gas station in play about 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Wednesday, December 26 - Calico Hills.  We don't often do this moderate 6-mile out-and-back trail hike on the west side of the sandstone hills in Red Rock Canyon, but the day after Christmas is probably the perfect time for a little exercise.  Net elevation gain is about 700 feet along the route from the fee booth to Sandstone Quarry, but there is mostly rolling terrain that probably doubles that for gross elevation gain.  If you are interested in wearing off some potatoes and dressing, join us at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, December 27 - Hamblin Mountain.  One of the more spectacular high points for a Lake Mead area hike is found on this peak north of Boulder Narrows.  Besides looking northwest toward Las Vegas and west toward Boulder Basin, views include a couple of shots of Virgin Basin and some impressive rugged terrain toward the narrows.  The standard route for this moderately strenuous 7-mile hike includes elevation gain around 1,400 feet and is generally an out-and-back route with a hitch.  West side group will leave from the Rampart parking garage at 7:20 AM, the main group will leave from Albertson's on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood at 8:00 AM, and there will be a drive through at the Northshore Road Mile Marker 4 pull off about fifteen minutes later.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, December 28 - Lone Grapevine Spring.  The highlight of this moderate 5-mile partial loop hike is probably the aggregation of ground level petroglyphs on boulders just south of the springs, but there are also the views of the southern end of the escarpment and the trek past the two protected springs.  The starting point for the hike is the large paved parking lot on the north side of Highway 160 and much of the route is along trails initially laid out by area mountain bikers.  Elevation gain is only a couple of hundred feet but it is on the return.  The main group will leave Best Buy at 8:15 AM and pick up any south side participants at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 about twenty minutes later.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, December 29 - Pinto Valley.  Distance is somewhat more significant than elevation gain on this moderate out-and-back hike that follows the northwest drainage back toward a broad valley just north of Lake Mead.  That distance should be around 6 or 7 miles and part of the route will follow the old Arrowhead Highway, the first major driving route connecting Salt Lake City with Los Angeles.  Also along the way are several geologic features associated with ancient inland seas and some cryptobiotic soil deposits.  The west side group should leave the Rampart parking garage by 7:20 AM to join the main group at the Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure.  The Mile Marker 4 parking area on Northshore Drive will be passed through about fifteen minutes later.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Saturday, December 29 - Las Vegas Wetlands & Duck Creek.  Nothing can be more relaxing than hearing running water in the desert, and this easy leisurely walk will certainly give participants the chance to experience it first hand.  Much of the trail system in the wetlands is paved, with some crossing dirt paths and a gravel road over to the area around Duck Creek.  Terrain is almost totally level and the distance should be around 3 or 4 miles.  There will be plenty of opportunities to see ducks and other waterfall on the streams and ponds.  The early west side group will leave Best Buy at 7:50 AM and the entire group will depart from Henderson Fiesta at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, December 31 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  The last club hike for 2012 will be coordinated by our incoming treasurer, who by the next day will be responsible for handling dues payments from our more than 300 members.  Where she will be taking us is an old stone shelter perched on a ledge above a drainage overlooking the White Rock Hills to the south.  This 5-mile out-and-back hike is generally rated moderately strenuous as it climbs about 1,500 feet and gets steeper closer to the cabin.  The section above the La Madre Springs wildlife pond also includes several crossings of the stream running through the drainage.  Join the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure to celebrate the close of 2012.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

 

One of the most intriguing aspects of our club is that we continue to find new places to explore in the area around Las Vegas.  By my count, there are seven hikes on the schedule in the first half of the month that we have never done as specific club outings before.  In addition, there are some hikes that are new composites of old terrain and others we probably only attempt once a year.  It is only through the experience and effort put forth by all those individuals willing to coordinate activities for our club that we are able to do this.  Thanks to all of them for their contributions and may it continue to make our program the best in Las Vegas for many years to come.

November 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it is sent out each month so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

 

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for November 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The more strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to existing club members.  In addition, Tuesday participants should have completed at least two of the Thursday hikes, which are generally rated moderately strenuous or strenuous.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated either moderate or moderately strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week may vary significantly depending on who has volunteered to serve as coordinator.  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 MUST begin with the later Saturday hikes or a weekday hike rated no more than moderate before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of a hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo! Groups informing of any changes or cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or at (702) 823-2355.

 

Most of the hikes during November will occur in the area around Red Rock Canyon with just a few hikes located elsewhere near Las Vegas.  For all Red Rock area hikes, the primary group will meet in the parking lot somewhat in front of the Best Buy store on the north side of Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  The store backs up to Highway 215, and the entrance to the parking lot is off Canyon Pointe.  For hikes on the back side of the escarpment, there is a secondary pickup point at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to accommodate south side participants.  Directions to the staging points for any hikes at different locations will be contained in the appropriate hike descriptions.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin assembling as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

 

 

Thursday, November 1 - Big Dune Loop.  Starting from the White Domes parking area this is a brand new hike in the Valley of Fire based on last season's explorations.  It will be about 5 miles long and have 2,000 feet of gross elevation gain.  The route will start by heading west, then turn north and climb through two passes before dropping down the largest sand dune in the park, followed by circling back along part of the route used on the Big Wall hike last season.  This is a strenuous hike involving climbing up two narrow slots and would be similar to some Tuesday level hikes.  An initial west side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage, located just south of Summerlin Parkway on Rampart Boulevard, for a 7:00 AM departure to the primary meeting location at Lucky Club Casino, which is located on the north side of Cheyenne just east of I-15.  Departure from the parking lot in front of the casino will be around 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

 

Thursday, November 1 - White Rock/Sandstone Loop.  More in keeping with our traditional Thursday hikes is this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain originating from Sandstone Quarry in Red Rock Canyon.  The first two-thirds of the route crosses the desert and begins climbing toward the White Rock Springs access to the trail around the White Rock Hills, past Cactus Hill, and finally to a high point somewhat south of the La Madre Mountains.  The last third of the hike is downhill in a series of washes.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Friday, November 2 - The Muffins & Skull Canyon.  One of our more popular hikes is this moderate 5-mile loop that climbs fairly steeply along a trail to the distinctive conglomerate boulders on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill.  The route continues at a lesser rate of ascent to the old Las Vegas Overlook for a rest stop, then descends through picturesque Skull Canyon on the return.  Overall elevation gain is about 1,100 feet.  The trail through Skull Canyon contains a few steep and loose sections.  The group will meet at Best Buy and depart for the hike at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, November 3 - Potato Knoll.  The moderate 5-mile partial loop version of this hike to a 500-foot hill at the base of Wilson Peak offers a few interesting wrinkles.  Participants will cross the Oak Creek drainage once on the way to the back side of the hill for the climb to the top and three times on the way around the base of the hill on the other side.  There still may be enough flowage from recent rainfalls to get your feet wet at a couple of the crossings.  Scenery is pretty good too with great views of the escarpment around Oak Creek Canyon.  The group will depart from the customary meeting spot at Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Saturday, November 3 - Pine Creek.  The leisurely Saturday hike leading off the month will involve another partial loop route, but it will be somewhat shorter at 3 miles.  After passing the Wilson homestead foundation, the trail crosses the creek just after the start of the Arnight Trail, then branches off heading upstream along the creek toward the base of Mescalito Peak.  One more crossing of the creek to the north bank involves some very minor scrambling.  Overall, the hike is rated easy to moderate and gains between 100 and 200 feet of elevation.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Rick Dutton.

 

Sunday, November 4 - Tank Discovery Scramble.  The north end of the Calico Hills near Red Cap provides the setting for a strenuous 5-mile adventure that includes lots of scrambling on the sandstone.  The hike will pass several tanks in the higher parts of the sandstone hills that might have water remaining from recent rains.  Other points of interest include an arch, a cave, and some petroglyphs.  There are sections of the route that involve exposure, but there are alternate routes for most of these places.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, November 5 - Keystone Thrust Loop.  The canyon containing Red Rock's famous thrust fault is on display with this moderate 4-mile loop hike.  The significance of the geologic anomaly is readily apparent looking at the side view of Cactus Hill and seeing that the much older limestone formation is sitting directly on top of the younger sandstone formation.  The snack break will occur in an area of sensational sandstone formations and will be followed by a moderate scramble over rock and through brush back to the scenic loop drive.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Tuesday, November 6 - Peak ee Toe.  The name you see is not a misprint, although it is of localized origin.  This hike in Red Rock starts in the Lovell Canyon area on limestone hills and turns into an exciting scramble on the way to a sandstone peak.  There are two areas that will require some rope assistance but there is minimal exposure.  Estimated distance is 6 miles and should take about seven hours of work to accomplish.  Rating is very strenuous because of the demanding terrain that must be negotiated.  Meeting location is Best Buy with a 7:00 AM departure and a secondary pickup at the gas station at 159 and 160 at 7:20 AM.  Coordinators - Richard Natale and Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, November 7 - Potato Knoll.  If you missed this hike when it was offered the previous Saturday then you have one more chance to climb to the top of this 500-foot hill for a great view of the Red Rock Canyon area.  It's a partial loop hike that covers a total distance of 5 miles and crosses Oak Creek four times.  The origin of Potato Knoll, locally known as Wilson's Pimple, was a massive landslide off the face of Wilson Peak directly to the west.  I wonder if it made any noise as the rock was coming down.  Anyway, the group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure on this hike.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, November 8 - Turtlehead Peak.  The only peak in Red Rock Canyon that has a trail recognized by the BLM as official, Turtlehead provides a stunning view not only of the canyon but back across Las Vegas to Lake Mead and the mountains in Arizona.  At a total distance of 5 miles, this out-and-back hike up the official trail on the west side of the mountain gains 1,900 feet of elevation.  It is rated as strenuous and includes some very steep trail climbing to the saddle behind the peak that can get rather loose, so sticks are highly recommended.  The group will stage out of Best Buy with a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, November 9 - Arnight/Pine Creek Loop.  We often try to find new combinations of existing trails that can create a whole new experience in hiking, and this hike accomplishes the task.  Starting from the gravel parking lot at the exit of the scenic loop, the group will hike to the Oak Creek trail head along the scenic drive, take the Arnight Trail to the banks of Pine Creek, then do the short loop toward the base of Mescalito Peak before backtracking to the vehicles.  Overall this hike will cover about 6 miles over fairly level terrain and is rated as moderate.  Departure time from Best Buy will be 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, November 10 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  When this popular hike was scheduled in mid-October, it followed on the heels of a real gully washer of a rain event that filled Gateway Canyon with flowing water and pools in all of the low spots.  Perhaps some of this water will still be in place as moderate temperatures have reduced evaporation rates.  Although rated moderate, this 4-mile loop hike provides some interesting challenges for the participants.  Locally named Five-Stop Hill is a fairly steep climb to the saddle between Calico Basin and Gateway Canyon and a couple of the scrambling descents in the canyon require some extra care.  This first Saturday group will leave Best Buy at 8:00 AM for the starting point at the northwest corner of Calico Basin.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

 

Saturday, November 10 - Calico Tanks.  One of Red Rock's most beautiful trails is the Calico Tanks Trail from Sandstone Quarry, which climbs through a lush canyon in the Calico Hills on the east side of Red Rock.  The moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike provides an introduction to some fairly easy scrambling as it gains around 700 feet.  Participants' efforts will be rewarded as they pass a large depression in the rock at the end of the official trail that can hold a pretty good amount of water after a rain storm.  Just beyond is a ledge that provides a great view of the southern half of Las Vegas including the Strip.  There are many man-made stairways along the way but the pace with be kept leisurely to accommodate everyone.  Meet the group at the normal spot in front of Best Buy for a departure at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Sunday, November 11 - River Mountain Bicycle Ride.  There's no ABF hike scheduled for today, but if you are into distance bike riding come and join your club friends for a weekend diversion - a scenic bicycle ride around the River Mountains near Boulder City and Henderson.  This is not the proverbial spin through the park as the ride will cover a distance of 34 miles and have 2,200 feet of overall elevation gain on a hilly, serpentine paved trail that will challenge even adventurous cyclists.  To participate, you must be riding a decent multi-speed bicycle and bring spare tubes, tire levers, and a frame pump.  Wear a helmet and bring snacks and lots of fluids as there is no water available along the route.  Meet the rest of the group at the upper lot at the Railroad Pass Casino for an 8:30 AM start to the ride, which means you need to be there at least fifteen minutes in advance to get ready.  Sorry, but no credit for mileage in the hiking statistics on this ride.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Monday, November 12 - Red Springs Loop.  It's somewhat surprising we haven't had this hike scheduled previously this season, but here it is.  The moderately strenuous loop route is only 4 miles in length and probably gains less than 1,000 feet, but it's all about the terrain.  Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area, participants will follow an established trail along the east side of the Calico Hills and scramble to a saddle in the sandstone for a short break.  The descent passes a carving of an angel on the way toward Calico II Overlook and continues with scrambling in the canyon between the hills and the scenic drive on the way back to the starting point.  Departure time from Best Buy will be 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Tuesday, November 13 - Calico Triple Peak.  If you are looking for some serious adventure then this very strenuous 5-mile loop hike in the Calico Hills will foot the bill.  There will be lots of significant scrambling and several areas of exposure along the route that will feature climbs to the top of Red Cap, Calico Peak, and Calico II Overlook Peak before a steep descent down the ledges below the end of the Calico Tanks Trail.  This hike can either be started from Calico II Overlook or Sandstone Quarry, depending on how the coordinator feels that day.  Meet the other participants at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, November 14 - Grapevine Springs.  This is a moderate 5-mile partial loop hike in Cottonwood Valley that visits an area of ground level petroglyphs somewhat close to the base of the escarpment near Windy Peak.  Elevation gain is only about 200 feet but it occurs on the return to the parking area along Highway 160.  A very short portion of the hike near the petroglyphs is off-trail but is easily negotiated.  This hike will be done jointly with the Sun City Anthem Hiking Club and the typical assembly points will be reversed.  Anyone interested in meeting at Best Buy should assemble their own carpools and leave there at 8:30 AM to join the coordinator and the rest of the group at the gas station located at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160.  Anyone else can meet the combined group at that location for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

 

Thursday, November 15 - Windy Peak.  First scheduled in October on the day of the massive rainfall, this hike to a prominent peak on the south side of the escarpment will hopefully find dry weather with calm breezes.  The strenuous out-and-back trek covers a total distance of 6 miles and gains 1200 feet of elevation but also includes some pretty good scrambling and about 100 feet of rolling exposure.  The views from the top are some of the best in the Red Rock area.  The main group will depart at 7:30 AM from Best Buy and will stop at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to pick up south side participants at 7:50 AM en route to the trail head.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, November 16 - Oak Creek.  This 5-mile out-and-back hike is barely into the moderate range.  Gaining only a couple of hundred feet, our trail will start from the gravel parking lot at the scenic loop exit and follow the start of our normal route to Potato Knoll.  A few jogs to the north will put us on track to enter the main drainage of the creek a bit into the canyon.  Besides an opportunity to do a little scrambling past the snack break location, the entire route is on trail.  You can meet the other participants at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, November 17 - Conglomerate Gardens.  Here is the first offering as a club hike of an exploratory trek that was featured on the blog site a month ago.  The moderate 6-mile loop hike starts innocuously along Fossil Ridge, following a combination of trails all the way to the abandoned mining gravel road a couple miles in.  From there, a circuitous trail drops into the canyon to the west of the ridge and winds through a number of conglomerate boulder areas and one spectacular section with lots of ancient sea bed fossils.  Elevation gain is probably in the range of 800 feet.  Join the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Saturday, November 17 - Keystone Thrust.  The more leisurely hike of the day is an easy to moderate out-and-back hike around Cactus Hill to the renowned thrust fault that spectacularly shows the geologic anomaly of older rock on top of younger rock.  The turning point of the hike will be on the sandstone a little ways down the canyon, where the snack break will occur.  Total distance is right at 3 miles with perhaps 600 feet of elevation gain and a small amount of scrambling.  The starting point is at the end of a half mile gravel road.  Meet everyone else at Best Buy for a departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Sunday, November 18 - Red Springs/Calico Tanks Loop.  This strenuous 5-mile loop hike will begin at Red Springs Picnic Area and climb up to the saddle above Angel Canyon.  At the saddle, a turn to the right will take the group on an adventurously steep scramble up to an adjacent peak.  Dropping down the other side, the route continues on to the end of the Calico Tanks Trail, where the group will turn hard left and drop down to the Calico II Overlook.  Some lesser scrambling and a few trails complete the loop around the south end of the Calico Hills.  There is exposure on this hike.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Monday, November 19 - Historic Railroad Tunnels.  Our first hike of the season in the Lake Mead area is this easy to moderate 7-mile out-and-back hike between the lower parking lot at the Alan Bible Visitor Center and the building at the edge of the dam on the Nevada side of the Colorado River that houses the parking garage.  The trail drops about 300 feet on the outward leg which must be gained on the return, but the rate is quite gradual.  The view of the new bridge across the river is pretty spectacular.  West side participants can meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure to the Henderson Fiesta, where the full group will meet near the large outdoor sign in front of the property.  Departure from Henderson Fiesta, located on Lake Mead Parkway just east of I-515, will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, November 20 - Ash Canyon.  Some pretty significant scrambling occurs in this canyon that runs along the eastern edge of the Calico Hills approaching Red Cap.  A few places along the route of this strenuous 6-mile loop do require use of hands but no equipment is needed.  At the high point, which is probably 1,400 feet above the starting elevation, the route turns right and heads down into Gateway Canyon, passing the back side of Krafft Mountain and finishing up through a boulder area that is well known for its free climbing opportunities.  The group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, November 21 - Ash Meadows.  The last hike before the Thanksgiving break will follow the easier portion of the previous day's hike along Ash Creek in the community of Calico Basin.  With minimal elevation gain involved, this 3-mile loop hike is rated easy.  The snack break will occur on red sandstone slabs at the base of Ash Canyon, providing great views of the eastern portion of the Calico Hills.  Expect to be back in time for lunch as commute and hike time combined should be less than three hours.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Saturday, November 24 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  After stuffing ourselves with turkey and other trimmings over the last two days, it's time to get a little exercise to control our weight.  The answer today is a moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike that gains 1,600 feet reaching a stone shelter near the top of a side canyon north of the White Rock Hills.  The first part of the trail is on an abandoned gravel road passing a couple of old foundations and reaching a wildlife dam and pond.  The upper portion is single track trail that crosses a creek several times.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, November 24 - Moenkopi/Calico I Loop.  If you would rather ease back into the hiking mode by trying something a little more leisurely, then consider this easy 3-mile loop.  The route for today leaves from the Visitor Center heading toward the fee booth, then turns left on the outside trail to the Calico I Overlook for a close up view of the Calico Hills.  Crossing the road, the trail climbs gradually onto a ridge north of the Visitor Center with great views of both sides of the canyon.  After a break at the top of the ridge, the route will follow the western section of the Moenkopi Trail back to the Visitor Center.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Sunday, November 25 - Grand Circle.  We haven't previously scheduled the big hike through the heart of Red Rock Canyon, so here is one chance during the month of November.  We will be starting this time from the fee booth parking lot, which will increase the total distance to 12 miles for the strenuous loop hike.  Since we are going clockwise, we will be able to see the delightful views of the escarpment on the opening portion of the hike rather than the dismal views of Blue Diamond Hill for the last 4 miles.  If you are interested in a fairly fast-paced trek that gains 1,000 feet while hiking around the canyon, then meet the group at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, November 26 - Black Mountain (Boulder City).  Only one of the two peaks accessed from the River Mountains parking lot next to St. Jude Children's Ranch will be attempted today, making this moderately strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike a relative breeze.  Elevation gain is right at 1,200 feet to the observation point near the actual summit that provides great views of both Las Vegas with the Spring Mountains in the background and Lake Mead with the Arizona Mountains.  The initial west side group will meet at Best Buy and leave at 8:00 AM for the Henderson Fiesta, where they will join the rest of the group for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, November 27 - Black Mountain (Henderson).  The elevation gain is listed as 2,100 feet for this strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike, but the steepness definitely increases the closer one gets to the summit.  With a considerable amount of volcanic rock strewn along the trail, this is almost a unique hike for the Las Vegas area.  The summit is rather small in size as mountain peaks go, but there is a rock dugout at the top that provides some shelter.  On the back side, views stretch as far as Searchlight.  An initial west side group will assemble at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure, and will pick up any south side residents at the Walgreen Drug on Hampton Road and Anthem Parkway by 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Wednesday, November 28 - Hollow Rock Peak.  Three consecutive days, three consecutive peaks.  This one is located on the south end of the escarpment with Highway 160 dividing it from the more prominent Mount Potosi to the south.  Don't be fooled by the fact that elevation gain is only around 1,100 feet; there is some pretty good scrambling required to reach the summit on this strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike.  The snack break will take place at the large hollow rock at the end of a long ridge.  The initial group will depart from Best Buy at 7:30 AM and pick up any south side residents at the gas station on Highway 159 and 160 at 7:50 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Thursday, November 29 - Sandstone Quarry/Keystone Thrust Loop.  This is perhaps the first time our club has offered this hike to its membership, in reality the fifth new hike this month.  The 7-mile partial loop route will start at Sandstone Quarry and follow the Grand Circle Trail up to the White Rock Springs parking lot.  Going around the north end of Cactus Hill, the route will turn downward into Keystone Canyon and follow the drainage back to its intersection with the Grand Circle Trail, turning left and returning to the starting point.  Elevation gain is around 1,100 feet and rating is moderately strenuous.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Friday, November 30 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  The month of November will finish with one of our club's favorite hikes - the route through lower Gateway Canyon around the back side of Krafft Mountain.  With the start at the Red Springs Picnic Area, the loop will cover a total distance of 5 miles.  The hike is rated as moderate, but it does include a few short sections of scrambling in the canyon on the descent.  Around the front of Krafft Mountain is a boulder field that is quite well known in the southwest United States on which free climbers can often be seen.  The group will assemble at Best Buy and depart for the hike at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

 

Our club is one of many in the Las Vegas area that provide hiking opportunities to the public.  In addition to clubs, Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association and the National Park Service at Lake Mead National Recreation Area offer hikes available to the general public.  In November, RRCIA is offering a total of ten interpretive hikes on various days of the week that are generally around 3 miles in length and deal with geology, plants, and animals in the Red Rock area.  To look at their calendar, access their web site at www.redrockcanyonlv.org or call them at 515-5367.  Lake Mead hikes tend to be a bit more serious in terms of actual hiking.  Their hikes are currently always held on Saturdays, and their current schedule lists both Liberty Bell Arch and Bowl of Fire on November 3, Anniversary Narrows on November 10, Railroad Tunnels and Fortification Hill on November 17, and a 2-mile nature walk on November 24.  The phone number for reservations for Lake Mead hikes is 293-8990.