February 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, along with a contact list for members of the group. All club members should review the e-mail and attachment sent out each month by the newsletter editor and print whatever pages they feel are pertinent so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for the month of February 2012. Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the various skill levels of club members. Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club. Some of the Sunday hikes may also be very strenuous and can be exploratory by nature. When indicated, these hikes may require advance clearance by the hike coordinator. Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and the Lake Mead area. The earlier hike will be conducted at a moderate pace while the later hike is intended for the general membership and is conducted at a more leisurely pace. Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although occasionally a more difficult hike may be scheduled. While somewhat equivalent to the 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 later Saturday hikes or equivalent 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 the hike. If you have any questions or need directions for any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

Hikes scheduled during February will be in a variety of locations with different assembly points. The hikes near Red Rock and some other locations will have a primary meeting location at the parking lot in front of the Best Buy store on Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino. Lake Mead hikes on the south side of the lake will generally meet under the outdoor sign at the Henderson Fiesta on Lake Mead Parkway near the intersection of I-215 and I-515. Hikes north of Lake Mead will generally meet at the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood on the northeast side of Las Vegas. The Gold Butte hike on February 2 will meet at the Lucky Club Casino near the intersection of I-15 and Cheyenne. Secondary meeting locations will include the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage on Rampart Boulevard just south of Summerlin Parkway or at one of the Mile Markers along Northshore or Lakeshore Drives at Lake Mead. Be at the selected designated location at least five to ten minutes prior to the departure time listed to allow for carpooling arrangements and driving directions.

SPECIAL NOTE - On several of the Lake Mead hikes, the coordinators will NOT be at the early west side meeting locations or even at some of the primary assembly points. The hike descriptions that follow will indicate this when applicable. Participants will have to take it upon themselves to form carpools and to leave at the times indicated in order to meet the coordinators at the indicated locations. DO NOT expect the group to wait as timing is critical to maintaining the schedule.


Wednesday, February 1 - Oak Creek Canyon. Around the Bend Friends will start the month off with a combined hike that will also include Lone Mountain Hiking Club. The goal for this moderate 6-mile out-and-back hike is to reach a seasonal trough waterfall in the lower section of the canyon and enjoy a short section of fairly significant boulder scrambling (optional) farther into the canyon. The route goes by the north side of Potato Knoll and gains about 400 feet. Lone Mountain members will meet at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin and depart at 8:00 AM for Best Buy, where they will combine with ABF members for an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, February 2 - Grand Gold Butte Petroglyph Hike. This moderate partial loop hike through beautiful sandstone and desert is 8 miles in length on mostly level terrain and takes you to some of the best petroglyphs in Clark County. Located near the ghost town of Gold Butte, it features formations known as Falling Man, Newspaper Rock, and the Kohta Circus, the largest panel of petroglyphs found in southern Nevada at 75 feet in length and 4 foot high. The site is reached by trail with a moderate amount of scrambling over sandstone. The group will assemble at the Lucky Club Casino at the Cheyenne exit from I-15 at 7:30 AM. The drive each way is somewhat less than two hours and high clearance vehicles will be necessary. Coordinators - John & Kay Blackwell.

Friday, February 3 - Ash Canyon Overlook Loop. This moderate 3-mile loop hike will start from Sandstone Quarry and head around the north end of Red Cap to a colorful sandstone ledge perched above the upper section of Ash Canyon, where the group will take a snack break. The route then heads north and passes a few smaller sandstone ridges past the Calico Hills before cutting back to the trail used to access Turtlehead Peak. Within the ridges is a petroglyph panel that most hikers pass by without even realizing their location. The group will be meeting at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM start to the trail head. Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, February 4 - Anniversary Narrows. The Narrows might be open and it might not. Apparently closed earlier this year because the mine claimant was required to remove some boulders that threatened to fall into the wash from the vicinity of the mine tunnels, it's time for our club to make the seasonal attempt before weather turns to hot. Basically a 5 to 6-mile out-and-back route, the hike begins at the gravel pull off at Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Drive and heads through the agate fields of Ore Car Mine to the distinctive slot canyon at the base of the Muddy Mountains. This hike is rated as moderate. West side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:20 AM with the full group meeting at Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood for an 8:00 AM departure. South side residents can be picked up at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive at 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Lorraine Stalians.

Saturday, February 4 - Historic Railroad Tunnels. The second hike this Saturday will take the group through the five tunnels created when the rail line was laid to haul construction materials to the Hoover Dam site during its construction. The basic out-and-back hike is 4 miles over level terrain and ends near the highway maintenance yards just beyond the last of the tunnels. This hike is rated as easy to moderate. If the group is up for more, the hike will continue to the new bridge spanning the Colorado River below the dam and cross to the Arizona side, a total distance of 7 miles. Any west side participants can meet at Best Buy for carpooling, but there will not be a coordinator at the site and they must leave no later than 8:00 AM. The main group will meet at the Henderson Fiesta and depart there at 8:30 AM. The hike will start from the lower lot by the temporarily closed Alan Bible Visitor Center. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Monday, February 6 - Goldstrike Canyon. Here is one more opportunity to experience the beauty of the slot canyon that starts near the Hacienda Casino and descends past the Nevada Hot Springs to the Colorado River a short distance below the dam. The total distance for this out-and-back hike is about 5 miles with a strenuous rating due to the nature of the terrain. The route contains several areas that involve scrambling with a few of those utilizing ropes for descending and ascending past large boulders. Those who actually reach the river will be treated to a great view of the upper portion of Lake Mohave. West side meeting location is Best Buy with a 7:20 AM departure. The main group will meet and leave from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Tuesday, February 7 - Pumpkin Parfait Canyon. Originally scheduled for December, this moderately strenuous 7-mile hike was canceled due to inclement weather. The hike explores a couple of interesting canyons with ancient seabed fossils and arrives at Pumpkin Parfait Canyon which is replete with colorful rock formations. The hike starts near Mile Marker 40 on Northshore Drive, which is quite a distance from Las Vegas, so the meeting times will be somewhat earlier than normal. North and west side participants should meet at the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood for a 7:30 AM departure. There will be a stop around 7:50 AM at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive to meet the coordinator and any other participants. Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Wednesday, February 8 - Ice Box Canyon. Join our favorite RRCIA employee for a moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike into the slot canyon in the northern section of the escarpment that is so named because the lack of penetrating sunshine keeps temperatures down relative to much of Red Rock. The hike will start from the regular parking area and follow the trail for a little more than a mile where it drops into the canyon for some moderate scrambling among the boulders. The rest stop will be on a rocky ledge below a seasonal waterfall. The group will assemble at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, February 9 - Red & Black Mountains. Our group will be heading to Boulder City for a strenuous 6-mile hike that will utilize the mountain biking trails into the top section of Bootleg Canyon and an assault on Red Mountain. Parts of this trail are steep and loose and hiking sticks and gloves are definitely recommended. Participants could become spectators if the zip line is in operation. The group will then cross the saddle and climb to the park bench on Black Mountain Overlook before returning along the regular city trail. Gross elevation gain is about 1,500 feet. West side group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure with the full group meeting at Henderson Fiesta and leaving there at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, February 10 - Arnight to Pine Creek. This hike will use some of the Red Rock Trails that we are quite familiar with but will combine them in a unique way that will make it seem like a new hike. Most of the moderate 6-mile hike follows an out-and-back route, starting from the parking lot at the exit of the scenic loop and following a horse trail and the gravel road to the Oak Creek trail head along the Scenic Drive. The group will then take the Arnight Trail over to Pine Creek and follow the short loop route in the canyon between the Wilson Foundation and Mescalito Peak. Return to the vehicles will be on the route used to get over to Pine Creek. The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure. Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, February 11 - Bootleg to Black Mountain Saddle. Also located in the River Mountains, this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike will start from the parking area at the base of the zip line. The road in from Boulder City is gravel but does not require high clearance vehicles. The hike will start on the gravel service road through Bootleg Canyon, transitioning to trail behind Red Mountain to the saddle between Red and Black. After descending on the regular city trail, the group will follow a series of mountain biking trails over rolling terrain back to the starting point. West side group will meet at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure to the main assembly point at the Henderson Fiesta. The entire group will leave from there at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Saturday, February 11 - White Owl Canyon. The second option for the day will be the short version of the trek through the slot canyon near Lake Mead that starts at the Hole 33 parking lot. This moderate out-and-back hike is between 2 and 3 miles, going through the canyon in both directions with a snack break on the west end. There is a steep hill to descend from the parking lot at the start of the hike which must be climbed at the end. The early group will leave from Best Buy at 7:50 AM with the full group departing from the main meeting location at Henderson Fiesta at 8:30 AM. Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Sunday, February 12 - Gray Cap Peak. The first trip this month to the top of this limestone capped peak will use the alternate route starting at Calico Basin. With an estimated distance of 5 to 6 miles, the route will ascend Five Stop Hill and drop into Gateway Canyon before picking up a seldom used side canyon that will take the group to the summit. Much of this climb involves Class 3 terrain with a considerable amount of scrambling and some exposure. As it is rated very strenuous, you will need to receive clearance from the coordinator, who can be reached at 396-2125. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Monday, February 13 - Raven's Balcony (North Bowl of Fire). Get ready for some serious scrambling on this strenuous 6-mile point-to-point hike starting at Mile Marker 20 on Northshore Drive. The route will cross the desert to the Rabbit Hole near the main canyon, then come around the back side of the ridge for a climb to a narrow slot that leads to the distinctive ledge known as Raven's Balcony. After the snack break, the group will head around the west end of North Bowl and follow a drainage back to Mile Marker 18 where some of the vehicles will have been left earlier. West side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage for a 7:20 AM departure for the main meeting point at Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood. The entire group will leave there at 8:00 AM and pick up any southeast participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Drive around 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Don Caldwell.

Tuesday, February 14 - Bootleg Canyon & Beyond. There's no question that there will be some serious scrambling involved on this 7-mile loop hike in the River Mountains that starts from the parking area at the base of the zip line. The route will follow some of the mountain biking trails to the northwest and possibly climb one or two of the prominent outcroppings in the area east of Railroad Pass. The return leg will pass the top end of Cascata Golf Course before returning to the starting point on a scenic trail across a number of remote canyons. If you live on the west side meet the early group at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure. Otherwise, meet the main group at Henderson Fiesta for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, February 15 - In Search of Big Horn. This moderate 5 to 6-mile hike will explore the open area between Eagle Peak and Bighorn Peak on the northwest side of Las Vegas. The hike will start at the equestrian park at the end of Cheyenne just west of 215. The outbound route will head over a rocky hill about 200 feet high and continue on to an upper trail near the Box Mine. After a snack break, the group will follow the power line road and ATV trail back to the starting point. Quite a bit of the route is on gravel road. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure, but those participants farther north can drive directly to the equestrian lot for an 8:30 AM start. Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

Thursday, February 16 - Lone Palm. It's been over two years since our club last did this moderately strenuous 5-mile hike in Arizona, as the starting point was inaccessible because of highway construction. Now it is open and we can take advantage to explore the remote canyons just south of Hoover Dam which lead to the edge of the Colorado River where a solitary palm tree once took root. On the return, a trail is used that will take us over to one of the construction setup sites used during the dam construction and we will follow the old oiled road that accessed the site on our return to the vehicles. An early group from the west side can meet at Best Buy for a 7:20 AM departure to join the main group leaving from Henderson Fiesta at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, February 17 - White Rock Hills Loop. The 6.4-mile loop around the two cream colored sandstone peaks at the north end of Red Rock Canyon offers the chance to see a variety of desert vegetation. The moderate hike with 900 feet of elevation gain will be conducted clockwise from Willow Springs Picnic Area and will first head past the northern side of the peaks where a lot more precipitation falls than the south side. The snack spot will be at the northeast corner of White Rock Springs Peak just below the highest point on the hike. Join the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Saturday, February 18 - China Ranch Date Farm. Join the group for our annual outing to the famous date ranch over in California. Two hikes will be offered to participants, with Ann Cronin coordinating the moderate 6-mile point-to-point hike that leaves from the Tecopa Post Office and heads downstream along the Amargosa River to the date farm. Chris Dempsey will coordinate a shorter hike of 3 to 4 miles that will originate at the date farm and take in a slot canyon in the valley across the river from the date farm and possibly some of the other shorter trails in the area. Carpooling and shuttling arrangements will be determined the morning of the hike. Participants should meet at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure. South side residents will be picked up at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 about 7:50 AM, but may have to form their own carpooling arrangements from that site. Plan on returning to Las Vegas around mid afternoon after lunch and date shakes. Coordinators - Ann Cronin & Chris Dempsey.

Monday, February 20 - Grand Staircase in Calico Basin. The outing today will be a repeat of a successful venture earlier this winter. Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area, this strenuous boulder scramble will only cover about 2 miles but will include fantastic views on the climb up the sandstone face of the southern end of the Calico Hills. Elevation gain will be around 850 feet and will traverse across the top of the southern section of the sandstone formations before descending to the saddle above the boardwalk at the picnic area. Some of the sections are rated Class 3, meaning use of hands is required, and there is some exposure. The group will meet at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Tuesday, February 21 - Northshore Peak. Very little trail exists for this strenuous 5-mile loop hike to a spectacular peak sitting just above Northshore Drive near Mile Marker 20. The hike starts by crossing a few drainages and climbing up a ridge that leads to the top where the sign-in book is located. The descent is on the back side and follows a confined canyon to the open plain south of the peak. More climb follows getting to a saddle on another ridge before following a second canyon down with a few seasonal waterfalls to be bypassed. An early west side group will meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino, leaving there at 7:20 AM. The primary meeting location is the Albertsons on Lake Mead and Hollywood with an 8:00 AM departure and a final pickup of south side residents at Mile Marker 4 on Northshore Drive at 8:15 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, February 22 - La Madre Springs & Miner's Cabin. The final destination on this moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike will be the old cabin on a ledge partway up the La Madre mountain chain which looks across a valley toward the White Rock Hills. Believed to be a shelter for the operator of a mine on the slope above, the cabin is built with stone walls and uncut timber boughs for the roof. Elevation gain is 1,400 feet, with much of it coming on the single track trail above the wildlife pond created by a small dam along the creek which flows through the narrow canyon. There are several places where the narrow path crosses the creek on the way up to the cabin. The group will assemble at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure to Red Rock. Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, February 23 - Ash Canyon. Join the group for a strenuous 6-mile loop hike through two of the most dramatic canyons in the Red Rock area. Starting from Red Springs Picnic Area, the route will follow along the eastern base of the Calico Hills and climb through Ash Canyon toward the base of Red Cap. Most of the route through the canyon involves scrambling. At the high point, the group will turn east and head down to Gateway Canyon for a trip around Krafft Mountain before returning to the starting point. The group will be assembling at Best Buy for a departure at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, February 24 - Redstone Discovery & Potluck Picnic. Today will be our club's first opportunity to conduct a joint outing with the Sun City Anthem Hiking Club and it will be a combination of a moderate 4-mile hike through the desert near red sandstone formations followed by a pot luck picnic at the Redstone Discovery Picnic Area, which is near Mile Marker 27 on Northshore Road. The hike itself has some light exposure and some scrambling, but most our members should have no problem with the terrain. Those wanting to go more for the picnic can take a short walk of about a mile through the area or bring a book to pass the time while waiting for the hiking group to return. Bring sandwiches and an item to share with the group. ABF members should RSVP with Chris Dempsey at 823-2355 or dempseylv@aol.com regarding food selections. Members from both clubs will assemble at the Henderson Fiesta for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinators - Keith & Beth Lane.

Saturday, February 25 - Gray Cap Peak. We don't often schedule strenuous hikes on Saturdays, but this hike will give several of our working members a chance to experience some exciting back country scrambling in the Red Rock area. This 6-mile out-and-back version of the hike is completely different from the February 12 outing, as it starts from Sandstone Quarry and utilizes the top section of Gateway Canyon. At the junction of limestone and sandstone is a tough climb that requires some use of hands with a few more such stretches to follow. The view from the top of the mountain is exceptional. Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, February 25 - Oliver Ranch Loop. Hiking enthusiasts looking for something more laid back this Saturday will find it in this 3-mile loop hike in the area off Highway 159 between Oliver Ranch and the community of Blue Diamond. The coordinator has rated this hike as easy to moderate with emphasis on the easy. The route meanders through washes and along multi-use trails inhabited by mountain bikers as it heads toward the north end of the ridge behind Blue Diamond. Elevation gain is less than 100 feet, but there should be views of both Bonnie Springs and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The group will be assembling at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Monday, February 27 - Badger Pass. Located in Cottonwood Valley south of Highway 160, the trails leading to Badger Pass touch the small Bird Spring Range that dominates the desert floor east of Mount Potosi. The route for this easy to moderate 3-mile loop will start up Deadhorse Trail through Red Valley, turning onto the switchback trail that climbs to the top of the ridge to the pass. A couple of options are available for the return section. Either the group will continue down to the next canyon to the west and come around the tip of the ridge or it will turn left and climb another 80 feet, following the crest of the ridge back to the descent trail. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure, and pick up any south side residents at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 by 8:50 AM on the way to the trail head. A gravel road which does not require high clearance vehicles must be taken for 3/4 mile in each direction. Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

Tuesday, February 28 - Hamblin Mountain. The end of the season near Lake Mead will offer a fantastic 7-mile out-and-back hike to one of the finest views of any peak near Las Vegas. Several areas of the lake are visible along with Boulder Narrows directly to the south which contains the Colorado River channel. Rated strenuous, there is about 1,500 feet of climb to the top, which has a bit of exposure getting to the actual peak where the sign-in box is located. A slight diversion of a little more than a mile will occur on the way down as the group explores a colorful canyon draining Pinto Valley. An early west side group will leave the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage at 7:20 AM for the primary meeting location at the Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood. The group will leave there at 8:00 AM and pick up any other participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Drive at 8:15 AM on the way to the trail head. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, February 29 - Lone Mountain/Eagle Peak. The object of today's strenuous outing is to get to the top of two minor but difficult peaks on the northwest side of Las Vegas. Lone Mountain has an elevation gain of 750 feet but the route the group will use for the climb is up the east face, which requires significant scrambling with use of hands. Eagle Peak has an elevation gain of 1,000 feet but there is virtually no trail for the route to the top. The two peaks are a short driving distance from each other. Each route will cover about 2 miles for a combined distance of 4 miles. The group will assemble at the parking area on the south end of Lone Mountain Regional Park, located on Jensen north of Alexander, for an 8:30 AM start on the trail. Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.