June 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 June 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different 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 Saturday hike will generally be rated between moderate and 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.  During the summer season near Mount Charleston, only one Saturday hike is offered and that 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 8:30 AM Saturday hike 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 (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

 

With the exception of possible evening walks or hikes in the valley, all of the club hikes during the summer months will be conducted in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains near Mount Charleston.  The assembly point for all these hikes is on the third floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino along the south wall.  As there are two garages at Santa Fe, the correct one is the one closest to the intersection of Rancho and Lone Mountain Road.  Usually, the group will begin assembling about one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.  If you are meeting the group at this location for the first time, the easiest directions are to exit on Rancho from northbound Highway 95, pass the front of the casino on Rancho, and enter the garage on your right between the two signalized intersections.  Details for other assembly areas will be included in the appropriate hike description.

 

Our club will also be participating in a number of hikes over the summer months that will be conducted jointly with Lone Mountain Hiking Club.  A series of hikes will be conducted on Wednesdays between May 30 and August 15, and are designed as a training program for club members who would like to add Mount Charleston to their resume, but haven't attempted the peak yet because of questions on appropriate pace.  The overall coordinator for this series will be Brian Dodd, although several other individuals will serve as coordinators for the individual hikes.  If you have questions about whether this series of hikes is right for you, please contact Brian at briandodd@cox.net.  For all joint hikes, there will be an early meeting point at Desert Vista Community Center, located at the intersection of Sun City Boulevard and Thomas Ryan Boulevard in Sun City Summerlin, prior to meeting the remainder of the group at Santa Fe Station.  The first hike of the series, scheduled for May 30, will be Cathedral Rock, a moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike climbing 950 feet of elevation.  The early group will meet at Desert Vista Community Center, leaving there at 7:00 AM for the second meeting location at Santa Fe Station, with the full group departing from there at 7:20 AM.

 

In 2011, another club named Over the Hills Hikers, which traditionally hiked on Fridays, was merged into Around the Bend Friends.  Although the Friday offerings listed below are not joint hikes, there will be an early assembly point at the Siena Community Center parking lot starting at 7:30 AM with a departure to Santa Fe Station at 7:45 AM to meet the main group on all Friday hikes in June.

 

Also of note is the fact we have two scheduled hikes on both Monday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 20.  As one of the June 11 hikes is in the evening, there is no time conflict and someone may wish to participate in both events.  The hikes listed for June 20, however, are at the same relative time, so you will be forced to pick one should you happen to hike with the club that day.       

 

 

Friday, June 1 - Raintree.  One of the standard hikes in the Spring Mountains is this moderately strenuous out-and-back 6-mile hike to a 3,000 year old bristlecone pine on the down slope of Mummy's Toe.  With well maintained trail all the way, participants only have to deal with the 1,500 feet of elevation gain, reaching a high point of just under 10,000 feet above sea level.  This hike will be conducted at a very leisurely pace.  Some participants may opt to go only as far as the mid-range meadows before turning back.  The group will be assembling at Santa Fe Station for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Saturday, June 2 - Cathedral Rock.  Due to construction in the upper end of Kyle Canyon, the start of this hike may be at the Echo Trail parking area rather than the traditional pullout along Kyle Canyon Road.  The difference is fairly negligible, as the moderate out-and-back hike will be either 3 or 4 miles in total distance.  It's all trail, but there is 950 feet of elevation gain to provide some test of endurance.  As a Saturday hike, pace for this event will be leisurely.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Sunday, June 3 - Raintree.  This hike will be an exact repeat of the route used to get to the 3,000 year old bristlecone pine two days prior, starting from the North Loop Trail head off Highway 158, but the pace is likely to be a bit faster.  As before, total distance for the moderately strenuous out-and-back hike is 6 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.  The group will assemble at the regular location at Santa Fe Station and leave there at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, June 4 - Fletcher Canyon.  One of our club's favorite summer outings, which will be repeated once more this month, is the trek into a narrow slot canyon north of the Mount Charleston Visitor Center.  The 4-mile out-and-back hike is rated moderate with 500 feet of elevation gain.  While there are only a few short sections of steep trail, there is some minor boulder scrambling necessary to get to the snack spot below Obstacle Rock.  Pace will be leisurely at no more than two miles per hour with frequent breaks.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM and depart by 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

 

Tuesday, June 5 - Mummy's Tummy.  It's only June but the big mountains are already beckoning our tougher hikers.  Mummy's Tummy is the second highest official peak in the Spring Mountains at over 11,500 feet.  Total distance for the very strenuous out-and-back hike is around 9 miles with 3,900 feet of elevation gain.  By far the most difficult stretch is negotiating the scree field from North Loop Trail to the top of the ridge that leads to the peak, with a serious Class 3 scramble up a notch to the top of the mountain.  The group will leave from the assembly point at Santa Fe Station promptly at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, June 6 - Stanley B Springs.  This event will be the tougher version of the trek up Stanley B Springs Canyon.  At a distance of 4 miles, this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will gain 1,500 feet of elevation reaching the top of the canyon at a saddle just southeast of Cockscomb Ridge, where the group will enjoy a well earned snack break before starting the descent.  Surface conditions include trails with varying levels of clarity and some scrambling.  This is a joint hike with Lone Mountain Hiking Club.  The early group meets at Desert Vista for a 7:00 AM departure, with the full group leaving from Santa Fe Station at 7:20 AM.  Coordinators - Terry Hirni & Jon Lubinski.

 

Thursday, June 7 - South Sister.  One of the tougher Thursday club outings will be this 5-mile out-and-back trek to a distinctive peak on the north side of Lee Canyon.  The route starts at a fairly gradual elevation gain through and past the Old Mill Picnic Area, but soon turns steep as it approaches a saddle overlooking Mack's Peak to the north.  The assault to a final saddle on the peak is very steep and loose, requiring hiking sticks or hands for balance, and there is Class 3 scrambling getting to the rocky top.  Rating is strenuous.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, June 8 - No Name Trail #2.  Although the route for this hike involves the opening section of the No Name Trail between Bristlecone and Bonanza Trails, it only follows that trail for a short distance before cutting back to the south and following a second trail along a ridge to a saddle above the ski resort in Lee Canyon.  Total distance for the outing will be between 3 and 4 miles with somewhat less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain and a moderate rating.  The early group will meet at Siena Community Center and depart at 7:45 AM to Santa Fe.  The full group will meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Saturday, June 9 - Charleston Golf Cart Path.  Once upon a time there was a nine hole golf course in Kyle Canyon, but it has been fully abandoned now for more than a decade.  For this hike we will be following the asphalt cart path that ran through the course, starting at The Resort on Mount Charleston and following a 3-mile loop route through and across the main Kyle Canyon drainage.  Although short, this hike is rated as moderate.  Although there isn't a long elevation grade, there are several short but steep sections of path.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Sunday, June 10 - Fletcher Peak.  At just over 10,200 feet, Fletcher Peak is the most easily accessed major summit surrounding the Kyle Canyon area in the Spring Mountains.  The route used for today's adventure will be the standard one following the North Loop Trail from Highway 158 and past the top of Hummingbird Gulch.  The out-and-back hike is still rated as strenuous as it covers a total distance of 7.5 miles and climbs a net 1,800 feet with a couple of sections of loose trail and a bit of scrambling near the top.  The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station and will depart from there at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, June 11 - Cathedral Rock.  The pace will be quite leisurely for this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike at the west end of Kyle Canyon.  Using the standard trail through Mazie Canyon there is an elevation gain of 950 feet in reaching the outcropping that provides an exceptional view back to the vicinity of the valley north of Las Vegas and to the Las Vegas Range on the eastern horizon.  Expect the hike to take up to three hours with a restful snack break at the top.  Meeting time at Santa Fe Station will be 7:15 AM with a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

 

Monday, June 11 - Stroll in the Starlight.  A Las Vegas evening is the setting for an easy stroll along paved trails and sidewalks on the west side of the city.  The group will be congregating at Bruce Trent Park, located at the intersection of Rampart Boulevard and Vegas Drive, where the Las Vegas Farmers' Market generally holds courton weekends.  Start of the walk will be at 7:00 PM, so get there ten or fifteen minutes beforehand to meet the rest of the group.  Overall distance is about 4 miles and will be very level.  Participants should bring flashlights or headlamps, some snacks, and enough water for a warm evening.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, June 12 - Mack's Peak.  This out-and-back hike is short but tough.  It also involves driving to the end of Mack's Canyon Road, an adventure in itself.  Although technically not a high clearance road, it is seldom graded and may contain ruts that could cause problems for a regular sedan.  The hike itself is a total of 4 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain, almost all of which occurs within one mile of the top.  The final route to the peak is along a very steep ledge with significant scrambling and some high level exposure and carries a strenuous rating.  The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, June 13 - Cockscomb Ridge.  The hike up Trail Canyon involves a lot of work and the views from Cockscomb Ridge provide the rewards on this moderately strenuous 5-mile out-and-back hike.  The first half of Trail Canyon Trail pretty much heads straight up the canyon and participants are always glad when they reach the switchbacks in the last mile before the intersection with North Loop Trail.  Participants may have some options as far as the distance onto Cockscomb Ridge, which requires more significant scrambling the farther it goes.  The early group departs from Desert Vista at 7:00 AM with the full group leaving Santa Fe Station at 7:20 AM.  Coordinators - Lettie Gutierrez & Brian Dodd.

 

Thursday, June 14 - No Name/Bonanza Loop.  One of our often repeated hikes in the Spring Mountains will be occurring for the first time this year as the group opts for the moderate 6-mile hike that starts at the top of Lee Canyon Road.  After a warm up mile on the Bristlecone Trail, the loop section will begin along the No Name Trail, which consists of a steep first half and a level second half before ending at the Bonanza Trail.  Hiking down the switchbacks of Bonanza to its junction with Bristlecone, the route will return to the starting point along the western section of that trail.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, June 15 - Stanley B Springs.  A shorter version of the club hike scheduled for June 6, this trek will wind along the trail penetrating Stanley B Springs Canyon to the mining claim sign nailed to a large tree at the top end of the trail.  The group will then head up the right fork of the canyon, going as far as the mine shafts that the claim sign represents.  Total distance of the out-and-back route should be around 3 miles with a moderate rating.  The initial group will assemble at the Siena Community Center starting at 7:30 AM and leaving for Santa Fe Station at 7:45 AM, from which the entire group will depart at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, June 16 - Fletcher Canyon.  The Saturday group finally gets a crack at the narrow slot canyon that runs perpendicular to Kyle Canyon on this outing.  Total distance for this out-and-back hike is at 4 miles and carries a rating of moderate.  Bring a snack to eat in the drainage below Obstacle Rock.  The last one-third of a mile below Obstacle Rock is mainly minor scrambling, but most participants will hardly notice.  The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Sunday, June 17 - Mummy Springs.  Following the standard route to the springs that issues from a small cliff near the base of Mummy's Toe means heading up North Loop Trail and passing Raintree, the 3,000 year old bristlecone pine that is renowned as perhaps the oldest living tree in the Spring Mountains.  Once at the tree, a side trail slides across a side slope to the springs.  Rated as moderately strenuous, this 7-mile out-and-back hike gains 1,400 net but several hundred more gross.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, June 18 - Mary Jane Falls.  This hike, which is usually one of the first scheduled for the higher elevations each spring, was the subject of proposed construction to the parking lot which would have shut the trail head down for most of the year.  Due to the early spring and fast work, it now appears that all the improvements have been made and the parking lot is ready.  The basic out-and-back hike is 3 miles in total distance and has 920 feet of climb, resulting in a rating of moderate.  Pace for this particular effort will be leisurely, with the hike probably taking 2 hours plus the snack break below the falls.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM with a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

 

Tuesday, June 19 - Griffith Peak.  All of the approaches to the third highest official peak in the Spring Mountains are about the same distance, but this one heading up South Loop Trail to the Griffith Cutoff gains 3,400 feet of elevation along the way.  This strenuous out-and-back route covers a total distance of 10 miles.  The rocks at the peak have been uplifted from an ancient inland sea bed and contain a host of aquatic fossils along with a spectacular view of the entire surrounding area.  The meeting place will be at the Santa Fe Station with a 7:30 AM departure time.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, June 20 - Bonanza Trail (Partial).  An early season effort along the Bonanza Trail will provide an abundance of sensational scenery in the area around Lee Canyon.  Starting from the end of Lee Canyon Road, the group will take Upper Bristlecone Trail through the forest to the intersection with Bonanza Trail, then turn left and follow Bonanza north along a ridge for a few more miles toward McFarland Peak.  Rating is moderately strenuous for the 9-mile out-and-back hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.  The snack spot will provide an open view of Mack's Peak and the Sisters.  Departure time will be 7:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez. 

 

 Wednesday, June 20 - Raintree.  Duplicating the June 1 and June 3 efforts, the route for today will head west on the North Loop Trail from Highway 158.  Rated as moderately strenuous, this out-and-back hike will cover 6 miles of total distance and gain 1,500 feet in the process.  As the fourth in a series of joint club hikes expected to provide increasing training for Mount Charleston itself in August, there are two assembly points.  The early west side group can meet at Desert Vista Community Center for a 7:00 AM departure, with the entire group leaving from Santa Fe Station at 7:20 AM.  Coordinators - Brian Dodd & Jon Lubinski.

 

Thursday, June 21 - Bonanza Peak.  The most difficult part of this strenuous 10-mile out-and-back hike may just be the drive along the gravel road that extends from the quaint community of Cold Creek to the northern trail head of Bonanza Trail.  This road is seldom in great shape and really requires high clearance vehicles.  Otherwise, the elevation gain of 2,600 feet is fairly well spread over seventy or so switchbacks along the trail that passes below the peak by about 100 yards.  The remaining climb to the peak is off-trail with a slight amount of scrambling.  Departure time will be 7:30 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Friday, June 22 - Deer Creek.  The historic tour of the Spring Mountains occurs on this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike that starts from the parking lot servicing the Deer Creek Picnic Area.  After following the asphalt path along the creek through the picnic grounds, the group will transition to a gravel road that goes through the remains of the first proposed resort area in the mountains.  Just beyond this collection of structures are the remains of a sawmill operation that ran for several years.  The Siena group will meet at its community center at 7:30 AM with a 7:45 AM departure to Santa Fe, from which the entire group will leave at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, June 23 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  The top of Lee Canyon will be the location for a moderate 5-mile out-and-back hike conducted at a very leisurely Saturday pace.  Elevation gain is about 600 feet from the vicinity of the ski park to the junction with Bonanza Trail, where the group will take a snack break before returning on the trail through the woods.  Reaching a clearing at the trail junction, the group will be treated to excellent views of the highest peaks in the Spring Mountains.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for the customary 8;30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Monday, June 25 - Bristlecone Loop.  Starting off the last week in June will be a leisurely trek along the full Bristlecone Loop at the west end of Lee Canyon.  The moderate 6-mile hike will be conducted in a counter-clockwise direction, possibly from the lower trail head, and should take 4 to 5 hours with plenty of short water breaks and a longer snack break along the way.  Total elevation gain is about 800 feet.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station starting at 7:15 AM and leaving for the trail head at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

 

Tuesday, June 26 - Mummy's Nose.  This part of Mummy's anatomy is relatively short but very, very steep.  Round trip for the extremely strenuous out-and-back hike is only 4 miles, but the elevation gain is 3,000 feet, making the average gradient close to 30 per cent.  Add lack of trail, several sections of Class 3 climbing, and some exposure and you have something worthy for extreme hikers.  RSVP's are not being requested, but DO NOT attempt to participate unless you are one of the top elite hikers in the club.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, June 27 - Pahrump Overlook Peak.  The peak itself may not be an example of a pyramid shaped mountain, but the trek along the ridge to get to the high point has lots of undulating terrain with a variety of surface conditions and lots of scrambling.  A strenuous out-and-back hike of 7 miles, ninety percent of the 1,400 feet of elevation gain occurs within less than a mile on No Name Trail and above the saddle where No Name finally begins to level out.  One of the best characteristics of this hike are the great views of the valley to the west containing the city of Pahrump.  Departure times are 7:00 AM from Desert Vista and 7:20 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinators - Brian Dodd & Jon Lubinski.

 

Thursday, June 28 - Rainbow Loop.  What will be the remaining level of damage along one of our favorite forest trails in the Spring Mountains?  We will finally find out the answer to that question when we tackle the moderate 5.7-mile loop route that is one of our club's original creations.  In early 2011 a massive wind storm sliced through Rainbow Canyon and dumped huge branches onto the trail.  Several cleanup sessions were required to get the route open enough to conduct a club hike before the end of the summer.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Friday, June 29 - Telephone Canyon.  A month after a storm front brought in cold temperatures and windy conditions for the previous club attempt on this hike we might be experiencing the opposite with hot weather.  Good thing this is an all downhill hike, dropping over 1,000 feet of elevation between the starting point at Robbers' Roost and the finish near the police substation in lower Kyle Canyon.  Distance for the point-to-point hike is 4 miles with an easy to moderate rating.  The early group at Siena will start gathering at the Siena Community Center at 7:30 AM and leave for Santa Fe Station at 7:45 AM.  The entire group will leave Santa Fe at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, June 30 - Upper Kyle Canyon Drainage.  For the second day in a row our club will be hosting a point-to-point hike, which will require a few extra vehicles.  Also covering 4 miles but with somewhat less elevation loss, this hike is rated easy to moderate and will start from the vicinity of the Echo trail head off Kyle Canyon Road.  The destination will be at The Resort on Mount Charleston.  The route passes directly through Old Town and provides great views of some of the historic (?) residences.  The meeting location for this hike is at Santa Fe Station with an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

 

Finally, a reminder that Around the Bend Friends will be hosting a club outing to Ely and the Ruby Mountains from Monday, July 16 to Friday, July 20.  A handful of rooms are still available for this five day event.  Refer to the May newsletter or to a separate e-mail in early June regarding information on how to make hotel reservations in Ely.