March 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 review the e-mail and attachments 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 the list of scheduled club hikes for the month of March 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.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier hike will generally be rated somewhere between moderate and strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate for difficulty level, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although more difficult hikes may be scheduled.  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.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo Groups informing of any cancellations.  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 March 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 March 1 and the Valley of Fire hike on March 3 will meet at the Lucky Club Casino near the intersection of I-15 and Cheyenne.  Secondary meeting locations may also be established on some hikes.  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.

Thursday, March 1 - Little Finland & The Subway.  Attention photographers!!  One of the most scenic areas in southern Nevada awaits you at Little Finland in Gold Butte country, where the red sandstone rocks really get creative.  Following the trip through this wonderland of formations the group will pass Bluff Spring on the way to a petroglyph site at The Subway.  There is some scrambling, some avoidable exposure, and lots of exploration on this moderately strenuous 7-mile hike.  The group will be meeting at the Lucky Club Casino for a 7:30 AM departure.  It is about 100 miles of driving each way between the meeting point and the hike, with one-way driving time taking about two hours.  Further driving directions will be provided at Lucky Club Casino the morning of the hike.  Coordinators - Kay & John Blackwell.

Friday, March 2 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  Get ready for some exciting scrambling action closer to home as the group heads over to Calico Basin for a trip through Gateway Canyon on the back side of Krafft Mountain.  To spice things up a bit, our coordinator has planned a counter clockwise route, meaning the scrambling will be upwards in Gateway Canyon, and will also do the early climb out to Gateway Saddle, which involves scaling a 10-foot waterfall that is rated Class 3.  Overall, the distance for the loop hike will be around 5 miles and will carry a moderately strenuous difficulty rating.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure to Red Springs Picnic Area.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 3 - Valley of Fire.  Here is one last chance before temperatures start to rise significantly to experience the fantastic rock formations in the state park northeast of Las Vegas.  This Valley of Fire hike will be coordinated by our club's resident expert on the scrambling routes through the myriad of sandstone formations found in this park.  It will be a moderate loop hike through the rocky canyons and sandy washes with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain.  Total distance should be close to 5 miles and will involve uneven terrain and some scrambling, as there is nothing really flat in the area.  An early west side group will leave from the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage (located on Rampart just south of Summerlin Parkway) at 7:25 AM with the main assembly point at Lucky Club Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Tuesday, March 6 - Juniper Peak.  Attention to detail is required for most of this very strenuous out-and-back trek to a sandstone peak sitting above Pine Creek Canyon in Red Rock.  The route will start from the Pine Creek parking lot and cross the desert and the creek to the mouth of Juniper Canyon, where the real scrambling starts.  While mostly on trail, the route up through the canyon is steep and loose in spots.  Toward the top of Juniper Canyon, the route crosses a boulder field, then starts to climb on a sandstone slab to the main ridge leading to the peak.  There is rolling exposure of several hundred feet on this slab and more exposure on a ridge getting to the peak.  Those interested should RSVP with the coordinator at 396-2125 before joining the group.  The meeting point is Best Buy with an 8:00 AM departure time.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 7 - South Bowl of Fire.  The general area is the same as our club did a month or two ago when we visited this area of spectacular red sandstone formations, but the route will be different.  Today the group will do a bit more scrambling over the sandstone formations and then return through a wash on the east side of the area back to the vehicles.  Approximate distance for the loop hike is 4 miles with a generally moderate rating.  West side residents can meet on top of the Rampart Casino parking garage, departing at 7:25 AM to join the larger group at Albertsons and an 8:10 AM departure.  The final meeting location will be at the parking area at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road, where the coordinators and any other south side residents will join the group, with an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinators - Keith & Beth Lane.

Thursday, March 8 - Windy Peak.  The standard route to one of the southern sandstone peaks along the escarpment, which will be utilized for this hike, starts near the pass on Highway 160 by the Mountain Spring community.  The moderately strenuous 5 to 6-mile out-and-back hike climbs around 1,500 feet getting to the peak.  The initial section is along a fairly steep gravel road and trail that leads to a connecting ridge behind the escarpment.  While much of the route is on trail, it is faint in spots and somewhat difficult to follow.  The transition from limestone to sandstone at the base of the peak involves about 100 feet of rolling exposure.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure with a stop at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, March 9 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  One of the official trails in Red Rock Canyon will lead today's group up an abandoned gravel road past a couple of foundations of structures built over seventy years ago and on to the wildlife dam and pond located at the base of the La Madre Springs.  The route will then follow a single track trail upstream along the creek and finally onto a steeper ridge that leads to a stone shelter thought to have been constructed by the miner who dug several shafts farther up the ridge.  Overall, this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will cover 5 miles and gain roughly 1,600 feet in the process.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 10 - Potato Knoll.  One of the highlights of this moderate 5-mile partial loop hike is the number of crossings of Oak Creek and the chance to see flowing water in the desert.  Another is the great view from the top of the 500-foot hill that lies in the shadow of Wilson Peak and the base of the escarpment.  Starting from the parking lot at the exit of the scenic drive back onto Highway 159, the route includes a few miles of trail established by the equestrian riders, so there is always a chance of seeing horseback riders along the way.  The group will meet at the Best Buy parking lot for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Saturday, March 10 - Calico Basin. The hike will be a partial loop of 3.5 miles r/t with minimal elevation. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure .  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Sunday, March 11 - Dry Falls Loop.  Located at the southeast corner of the River Mountains, this strenuous 7-mile loop hike explores a canyon facing the lake that involves climbing a series of seven dry waterfalls.  The route continues out of the canyon onto a crossover ridge, then makes a steep descent down a rocky area and back to the vehicles.  West side group should meet early at Best Buy, leaving there at 7:20 AM for the primary meeting location at Henderson Fiesta.  The combined group will leave there at 8:00 AM for the lower parking area at Alan Bible Visitor Center, where they will meet the coordinators and any other Boulder City residents at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Monday, March 12 - South Cottonwood Valley Trail.  The hike is 4-5 miles with about 650 ft of elevation.  We will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 a. m. departure and a stop at the gas station on Hwy. 160 to pick up hikers there at 8:30. We will travel about 6 miles west toward Pahrump, turning left on to a gravel road heading south. There is a restroom building at the first parking lot.  We will continue to the second parking area and hike from there.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.    

Tuesday, March 13 - Terrace Canyon.  Spring is nearly here and it's time to see how much water is flowing from rain and late winter snow melt in the south fork of Pine Creek Canyon.  This out-and-back hike covers a total distance of 6 miles following a series of connecting canyons that penetrate the escarpment on the west side of Red Rock Canyon.  More than half of the route involves significant scrambling over large boulders and other obstacles.  Rated as very strenuous, you can expect to devote at least five to six hours getting to and back from one of the most beautiful spots in the Red Rock area.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 14 - Gateway Saddle and Canyon.  Join our guest coordinator from Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association for a moderate out-and-back hike that will cover a total distance of 3 to 4 miles.  Starting from the gravel parking area at the northwest corner of the community of Calico Basin, the route will follow the trail up Seven Stop Hill to the saddle perched between Krafft and Gateway Peaks.  It will then continue down the other side of the saddle and into Gateway Canyon for a short amount of minor scrambling in the drainage, then turn around and head back to the starting point.  Meet the other participants at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, March 15 - Hollow Rock Peak.  Situated across Highway 160 from Mount Potosi, Hollow Rock Peak is the southernmost of the sandstone peaks in the Wilson Cliffs that stretch along the western side of Red Rock Canyon.  The hike is a strenuous 6-mile out-and-back trek with 1,200 feet of elevation gain involving a limestone ridge in the direction of the actual peak and quite a bit of scrambling over sandstone in the last one-third mile to the destination.  An alternative on the return involves dropping onto a recreational gravel road that descends a ridge with great views of the valley below and another gravel road paralleling Highway 160.  The meeting location is Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure, with a short stop at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, March 16 - Sandstone Quarry to Gateway Saddle.  A variant of a couple of hikes sometimes done by our club, today's outing will be an out-and-back hike that starts at Sandstone Quarry and follows the drainage around the north end of the Calico Hills toward the top of Ash Canyon.  The group will then descend into Gateway Canyon, continue a short distance down the canyon to the cutoff trail for Gateway Saddle, and take that trail up to the saddle for a snack break above the community of Calico Basin.  Total distance should be about 6 miles for this moderately strenuous hike that has more uphill on the return segment.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.  

Saturday, March 17 - Krafft Mountain Loop Scramble.  A slightly shorter version of the traditional hike through Gateway Canyon around the back side of Krafft Mountain will begin at the gravel parking area at the northwest corner of Calico Basin.  Rather than take the trail to the top of Gateway Saddle, the group will scramble up the inward route at the immediate base of Krafft Mountain, which includes some Class 3 climbing but no exposure.  The rest of the hike will follow the normal clockwise route out through Gateway Canyon and around the front side of Krafft Mountain through the boulder field.  Total distance is about 4 miles with a moderately strenuous rating.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Saturday, March 17 - Oak Creek Canyon.  Starting from the gravel parking lot at the exit of the scenic drive onto Highway 159, this moderate 5-mile out-and-back hike will follow a series of relatively flat trails along Oak Creek drainage, crossing the creek three times in each direction.  Heading toward the mouth of the canyon, there is a short climb onto a ridge on the south side of the drainage.  The trail continues to wind around a number of large boulders before dropping into the drainage in a picturesque spot for a snack break.  Although the distance is slightly longer than our usual later Saturday hikes, the pace should be accommodating.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Monday, March 19 - Rainbow Canyon Loop.  This moderate 7-mile loop hike will include a stop at Anniversary Narrows and the old processing center located on the ridge above Lovell Wash below the narrows.  With spring approaching, there may be a few spring flowers in bloom, including the elusive Bearpaw Poppy.  Early west side group should meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage on Rampart near Summerlin Parkway, departing from there at 7:20 AM.  The main group will meet at Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and the combined group will depart at 8:00 AM.  On their way to Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Road, they will stop to pick up the coordinators and any other south side participants at Mile Marker 4 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins. 

Tuesday, March 20 - Bridge Mountain. We will leave the Best Buy parking lot at 7:00 AM and drive to Red Rock and the Willow Springs Picnic Area and then head up Rocky Gap Road ( High Clearance Vehicles Req.) to the area where the Pink Jeep Tours stop. Starting at that location will make this a 10 mile out and back hike (7 plus Hrs.). The hike is rated very strenuous with several areas of EXPOSURE!! Because of the vehicles required and the hike's difficulty please RSVP with Steve Anderson at 702-341-9723.

Wednesday, March 21 - Bird Spring Range.  The small mountain range south of Highway 160 and east of Mount Potosi provides the setting for this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike that gains about 1,500 feet.  Starting point for this trek is the gravel parking lot just off the gravel road that connects Highway 160 with the community of Goodsprings.  The trail will head toward Badger Pass and continue off-trail along the main ridge of the range with great views of Las Vegas from the southwest.  A section of this ridge exhibits a number of seabed fossils just before dropping onto a saddle above Wilson Tank.  One more climb to a high point follows, with a final return along Deadhorse Trail through Red Valley.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure, with a stop at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, March 22 - Cave Canyon & Beyond.  Climb up a couple of interesting dry waterfalls on this 7 to 8-mile loop hike located on Blue Diamond Hill at the cowboy stables.  In between the waterfalls the group will engage in moderate scrambling for more than a mile up the canyon before picking up a trail for the rest of the hike.  An added wrinkle is an extra jaunt past a seldom-visited canyon below the gypsum mine tailings pile at the top of the hill.  The final section of the return will be along Fossil Ridge.  The overall distance and amount of canyon terrain cause this hike to be rated as moderately strenuous.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, March 23 - First Creek.  The traditional 4-mile out-and-back hike along the creek will start at the regular parking area and follow the level trail about a mile to the seasonal waterfall that has dredged out a deep pool in a hidden grotto of the stream bed.  After a short stop, the group will continue along the creek toward the canyon mouth, picking up a slight bit of intensity in terrain along the way.  The group will take a snack break on some large rocks just above a 10-foot seasonal boulder waterfall.  Overall, this hike is rated as moderate.  The meeting point for the entire group is at the Best Buy parking lot on Charleston with an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 24 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  Although this is the second time this hike is scheduled during the month, chances are it will be a different group of people who made the moderately strenuous trek to the stone shelter located on a ridge overlooking the back side of the White Rock Hills.  The overall distance for the out-and-back hike is 5 miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.  Along the way the trail passes a couple of mid-twentieth century home foundations and a wildlife dam and pond at the base of La Madre Springs.  The group will be assembling a Best Buy and will depart from there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, March 24 - Potato Knoll Loop.  The second group this Saturday will be on the other end of Red Rock Canyon, starting from the gravel parking area at the exit of the scenic loop back onto Highway 159.  The 4.5-mile partial loop hike will encircle the 500-foot hill known as Potato Knoll but will not climb to the top.  The intended route has one crossing of Oak Creek in the first half of the hike and three crossings in the second half.  With very little elevation gain, the hike is rated as moderate.  The group will be gathering at Best Buy with a scheduled departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Monday, March 26 - Pinto Valley Loop.  The last Lake Mead area outing of the season will be a strenuous 9-mile loop hike that starts at Mile Marker 18 of Northshore Road and heads toward Signature Rock and some other minor petroglyph sites.  The return leg of the hike will pass through the Chocolate Hills with only one steep rocky area to negotiate.  An early west side group can meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino, leaving there at 7:20 AM to join the main group at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  The combined group will depart from there at 8:00 AM and meet the coordinators and other south side participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins. 

Tuesday, March 27 - Red Cap, Calico Peak, Calico II Overlook Peak.  Back by popular demand is the triple peak scramble hike in the Calico Hills that we successfully attempted last fall.  The very strenuous 5-mile loop hike will start at Sandstone Quarry and ascend to the top of the red mantle on the north end of the sandstone hills.  With peak number one accomplished, the group will continue north along the ridge to the second peak.  This section of the route contains a descent down a 25-foot wall with some fairly serious exposure.  For peak number 3, the group must descend and cross the Calico Tanks Trail, climbing up through a steep notch to reach the top of another ridge.  The final descent will be off the south end of the Calico Tanks Trail toward Calico II Overlook.  This hike is for the most experienced hikers in the club who can handle intense scrambling and exposure.  If this fits you, meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 28 - The Cave, Echo Canyon & Fossil Ridge.  The first destination on this moderately strenuous 4 to 5-mile loop hike will be the lower cave in Cave Canyon that is accessed part way up the ridge below the 15-foot seasonal waterfall.  After a bit of exploration, the group will return back to the junction with Echo Canyon and turn left up that canyon on a route that is part scrambling and part trail.  At the point where the Fossil Ridge Trail crosses the upper portion of Echo Canyon, the group will then turn right and follow that trail back to the starting location.  The group will be assembling at Best Buy with a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, March 29 - Tank Discovery Trail.  This strenuous 4.5-mile hike is almost pure scrambling but generally follows the Calico Tanks Trail through the Calico Hills in Red Rock Canyon.  Starting from Sandstone Quarry, the route climbs and descends three times with an average ascent of 450 feet each climb.  There is some serious exposure which can be bypassed using an alternate route.  With recent precipitation, each of the five main tanks along the route may contain water.  The group will be meeting at Best Buy with a departure time of 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, March 30 - Pine Creek & Fire Ecology Trail.  Starting along the trail from the Pine Creek parking area, the group will turn left on the Fire Ecology Trail, going as far as the picnic table, then continue along the creek to the Wilson foundation.  At that point, they will cross back to the trail along the south side of the creek, and take a snack break toward the upper end of the combined creek bed below Mescalito Peak.  Depending on the composition of the group, the coordinator may take them into Fern Canyon for a bit of scrambling or take the main trail back past the Wilson foundation and on to the starting point.  The base hike should be around 3 miles with an easy to moderate rating, assuming no scrambling.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

Saturday, March 31 - Red Springs Loop.  Here is one of those old standby hikes that you never get tired of doing.  Relatively short at just under 4 miles but with a strenuous rating, this hike provides a variety of terrain that includes several sections of scrambling.  The high point is reached after about one mile and occurs at the saddle in the Calico Hills above the angel carving on the west side of the sandstone hills.  Once into Red Rock territory, the route follows some connecting canyons that lead back around the south end of the Calico Hills to the starting point at Red Springs Picnic Area.  Join the group for this adventure at the Best Buy parking lot with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

Saturday, March 31 - Calico Tanks.  One of the signature hikes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike climbs 700 feet in the northern canyon penetrating the Calico Hills.  Although not really scrambling, there are several stone stairways that assist with the climb over a variety of surfaces including sandstone and sand.  The group will bypass the major tank at the end of the official trail and climb out to an overlook ledge perched above Ash Canyon with views stretching back to Lake Mead and Arizona.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

March also marks the first real out of town outing for the club in 2012.  Guy Galante has put together a hiking extravaganza in the lowest place in the United States that will cover three days of hiking.  Most of the group will be driving to Longstreet Hotel & Casino in the afternoon of Thursday, March 29 for a three night stay.  Hikes will occur in the Death Valley area on Friday, March 30, Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1 before a return to Las Vegas that afternoon.  If you are interested in being part of this great trip, see the announcement in the February (and probably March) newletters for details on how to reserve a room. 

March 29– April 1, 2012
Death Valley
Coordinator: Guy Galante
Guy has reserved 10 rooms at the Longstreet Casino for the nights of 29, 30 and 31 March, if anyone is interested. Room rate $64.15 for rooms away from the highway. Rooms on the high- way are $59.95, but not available until Friday night. Those of you who want to stay at Death Valley can try to get accommodations at Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek.
The number for the Longstreet casino is 775-372-1777. Mention Around The Bends Friends code 73705 for the best rates. Contact Guy directly at his e-mail address (guygalante@hotmail.com) or phone number (702-629-2670). Give Guy your driver informa- tion and the roommate information. If drivers might need or want to drive additional persons besides themselves and their roommate advise Guy and he can probably suggest another person who needs a ride. Guy has ask me to publish the hikes for death valley as follows:
Friday, March 30th Desolation Canyon
5.2 miles rated moderate. Meet at Visitors Center for 10 AM departure.
Saturday, March 31st Mosaic Canyon
3.6 miles rated easy to moderate. Meet at the Visitors Center for 9 AM departure.
Sunday, April 1st Golden Canyon
6 miles rated moderate. Meet at Visitors Center for 9 AM departure.