July Hike List 2012

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 July 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.  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 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 along the south wall on the third floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino.  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.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.

 

Continuing this month is a series of training hikes on Wednesdays that are intended to prepare participants for a hike to the top of Mount Charleston on August 15.  If you have any questions about whether this series is right for you, contact Brian Dodd, the overall coordinator for the series, at briandodd@cox.net.  These hikes are being conducted on a joint basis with Lone Mountain Hiking Club and there is an early meeting point at Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin, located at the intersection of Sun City Boulevard and Thomas Ryan Boulevard, prior to the final assembly at Santa Fe.

 

Also, Friday hikes are generally set up to accommodate the members of a group formerly known as Over the Hills Hikers, which was merged into our club in 2011.  For Friday hikes, there will be an early assembly point at the Siena Community Center parking lot starting at 7:30 AM with a departure for Santa Fe Station at 7:45 AM to meet the main group.

 

 

Monday, July 2 - Deer Creek.  Follow the creek as it trickles through the Deer Creek Picnic Area and connect with a gravel road that serves a number of private summer cottages scattered on the down slope of Mummy Mountain.  The gravel road passes some old cabins originally built in the 1920's that are currently being renovated and the site of a sawmill operation from the same era.  Total distance for the moderate out-and-back hike is 3 miles and there is 750 feet of elevation gain.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

 

Tuesday, July 3 - Mount Charleston.  Here is the first club attack of the year on the highest peak in southern Nevada.  For this hike, the coordinator has selected an open loop with the ascent up Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail to the peak and a descent along South Loop Trail to the Cathedral Rock parking area.  This is a very strenuous point-to-point hike that covers 17 miles.  While net elevation gain is roughly 4,300 feet, rolling terrain along the ridges pushes that total to 5,000 feet.  Only experienced club members should participate in this outing.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 6:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Thursday, July 5 - Trail Canyon/Fletcher Canyon.  Here is one of the more interesting point-to-point hikes in the Spring Mountains.  The opening climb will be along Trail Canyon Trail to the saddle behind Cockscomb Ridge for a short break before the group starts the long descent through the entire length of Fletcher Canyon back to Kyle Canyon Road.  Distance is about 6 miles, elevation gain is 1,600 feet, and there is 2,300 feet of descent through Fletcher, which follows sporadic trail for the top section and has areas of scrambling.  Rating is moderately strenuous for this hike that requires car shuttling.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Friday, July 6 - Mary Jane Falls.  An early spring and snow melt allowed for scheduled construction in the Mary Jane parking lot to be completed way ahead of schedule, so here is a chance to see if there is any remaining water trickling over the multi-tiered waterfall draining part of North Loop Ridge.  Rated as moderate, the out-and-back hike climbs 920 feet to the base of the falls, with a total distance of 3 miles.  The early group will meet at the Siena Community Center for a 7:45 AM departure for Santa Fe Station, and the collective group will leave Santa Fe at 8:15 AM for the trail head.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Saturday, July 7 - Wild Horse Canyon.  This moderate 3-mile loop hike starts along North Loop Trail and climbs 900 feet to the mid-level meadows that is a normal break point for those targeting Raintree as a destination.  No more climbing is necessary as the group starts a steep descent covering a one-half mile distance into a picturesque canyon that was home to a lone wild horse a number of years ago.  Highlights in the canyon include a spring with aquatic plants and a split rock near the exit onto Deer Creek Road.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Sunday, July 8 - Fletcher Peak via Hummingbird Gulch/Fletcher Canyon.  This very strenuous point-to-point hike involves a lengthy car shuttle as the starting point is the entrance to Hummingbird Gulch along Highway 158 and the exit is the end of Fletcher Canyon at Kyle Canyon Road.  Total distance is 8 or 9 miles with significant scrambling both on the climb and on the descent through Fletcher Canyon.  Participants should probably wear long hiking pants because of the amount of brush.  Also, please RSVP for this hike with Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinators - Lettie Gutierrez & Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, July 9 - South Loop 1st Overlook.  With the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area closed and access to South Loop utilizing the alternate Cathedral Rock Trail, this moderate out-and-back hike becomes somewhat more than 5 miles in total distance.  Elevation gain is 1,400 feet between the parking area at Cathedral Rock and the overlook that provides a sensational view of the entirety of Kyle Canyon as well as a great view of Mount Charleston itself.  A set of fourteen switchbacks eases the climb right below the overlook.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be 7:45 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, July 10 - Griffith Peak.  For this ascent to the third highest official peak in the Spring Mountains we will be switching gears and starting from the top of Rainbow, the lowest of the three small communities in Kyle Canyon.  The strenuous loop route will start up the trail above Rainbow Canyon to the saddle between Griffith and Harris Peaks, then turn onto the Harris Springs Trail to the summit of Griffith.  The loop will be closed by returning along South Loop Trail and the upper portion of the Rainbow Loop.  Distance is 10 miles and elevation gain is 3,400 feet.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Wednesday, July 11 - Bonanza Peak.  The Mount Charleston prep series continues today after a week off for Independence Day.  This strenuous 10-mile effort starts at the northern end of the Bonanza Trail near the community of Cold Creek.  Nearly seventy switchbacks will make the turning seem endless as the well-maintained trail follows all but the last quarter mile to the summit.  The out-and-back hike gains 2,600 feet reaching the peak.  The last few miles between Cold Creek and the trail head are on a rough gravel road that generally is best negotiated by high clearance vehicles.  An early group will leave Desert Vista Community Center at 7:00 AM to join the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station and a 7:20 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.

 

Wednesday, July 11 - Telephone Canyon.  For those individuals wanting a less strenuous mid-week hike, our favorite guest coordinator will be leading a moderate 4-mile point-to-point hike through Telephone Canyon.  The group will hit the trail at the pullout for Robbers' Roost along Highway 158 and lose about 1,000 feet of elevation on the all downhill route that ends just below the police substation in Kyle Canyon.  Mountain bikers can often be seen along the way along with an occasional horseback rider.  The group will depart at 8:00 AM from the regular meeting location at Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, July 12 - Fletcher Peak via Wild Horse Canyon.  This variation of the route to the most accessible peak near Kyle Canyon will start the climb through Wild Horse Canyon, which means a fairly steep approach getting to the mid-ridge meadows below the well known dozen switchbacks on North Loop Trail.  The final ascent to the peak itself involves just a bit of off-trail scrambling.  The descent will be down North Loop Trail to the vehicles.  Total distance for this strenuous hike is just under 8 miles with 1,900 feet of elevation gain.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.

 

Friday, July 13 - Cathedral Rock.  The well known rocky outcropping near the base of the South Ridge will be the target for this out-and-back 3- mile hike.  Rated moderate because the total distance is only 3 miles, there is still 950 feet of elevation gain that provides a fair test for most hikers.  Once on the top, participants will be treated to a full length view of Kyle Canyon all the way back to its origin near Highway 95.  The early meeting spot will be the Siena Community Center between 7:30 and 7:45 AM with the entire group assembling at Santa Fe Station for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, July 14 - Deer Creek.  If you missed the historical tour of the eastern slopes of Mummy Mountain last month, here is another chance to experience and relive the early days of the Spring Mountains.  The 3-mile out-and-back hike will pass the first vacation community established in the mountain range as well as a 1920's era sawmill operation that still exhibits a couple of standing buildings in various states of repair.  The pace will be leisurely for this moderate hike that gains 750 feet of elevation.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station and depart from there at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Sunday, July 15 - Mummy Springs Loop.  Finding the right ridge that leads to the trail between Mummy Springs and Mummy's Toe is essential to ease the steep climb along the middle and upper sections of Deer Creek.  The route for this strenuous 7-mile loop hike climbs to the trail between those two points before continuing down on North Loop Trail from Raintree.  Net elevation gain is around 1,600 feet, with most of that climb found on the approach to the Mummy's Toe Trail.  The group will be meeting at Santa Fe Station and leaving there at 7:00 AM for the trail head.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, July 16 - Trail Canyon.  The first half of the climb to the junction of Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail has no switchbacks and provides a good test of endurance, while the second half meanders through the forest with a few open views of the surrounding peaks.  This 4.5-mile out-and-back hike is rated moderately strenuous because of the 1,600 feet of elevation gain, but the pace of this hike will be accommodating to the participants.  The break will either occur at some logs near the trail junction or at a ledge above Fletcher Canyon just slightly above that point.  Departure time for the group from Santa Fe Station will be 7:45 AM.  Coordinator - Gail Surgent.

 

Tuesday, July 17 - Harris Peak.  It's not very far to the top of the 10,000-foot peak on the south edge of Kyle Canyon, but the climb is quite steep, averaging over twenty percent.  The strenuous out-and-back hike starts at the top of the community of Rainbow and follows a trail along the edge of Rainbow Canyon to a saddle before turning left and shooting for the peak.  The second half of the ascent is a route with a few cairns to mark the best approach. Overall, the hike is between 4 and 5 miles with a 2,300-foot vertical gain.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, July 18 - McFarland Approach.  Elevation gain is only about 1,500 feet for this strenuous out-and-back hike, but the overall distance of 11 miles provides a test of endurance for participants on this Mount Charleston preparatory hike.  The Bonanza Trail provides the route along the ridge approaching the base of McFarland Peak and includes unique views of the two Sisters and Mack's Peak, three of the more significant peaks in the Lee Canyon area.  An early group will meet at Desert Vista Community Center and leave there at 7:00 AM for Santa Fe Station, with the combined group departing at 7:20 AM.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.

 

Wednesday, July 18 - Fletcher Canyon.  One of the most enjoyable short hikes in the Spring Mountains is this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike that starts from Kyle Canyon Road near the Spring Mountain Visitor Center.  With only 600 feet of elevation gain, this is truly one of the easier routes to negotiate within the mountain range.  It's also one of the most beautiful, especially in the upper end where it enters a slot canyon that narrows to as little as 5 feet with a rest stop just below Obstacle Rock.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station and depart from there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinators - Susan Haase & Tom Reiner.

 

Thursday, July 19 - South Loop 3rd Overlook.  Views will be pretty spectacular for participants when they reach this rock outcropping along the South Loop Trail at an elevation of 9,700 feet.  The top of Cathedral Rock is visible below as well as the major peaks surrounding Kyle Canyon above.  With the trail alteration due to construction in the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area, this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will be between 7 and 8 miles with a vertical gain of 2,100 feet.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station and will leave there at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, July 20 - Mystery Hike.  Every once in a while we get a coordinator who wants to surprise the group by not saying specifically where the hike will take place.  Such is the case this Friday.  All I can tell you is that the hike will be 4 miles long and is rated as moderate.  Come along and find out where the group will be hiking in the Spring Mountains on this particular day.  The early southwest group will meet at the Siena Community Center for a 7:45 AM departure to join the main group, which is leaving Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Marg Biesiada.

 

Saturday, July 21 - Sawmill Trail.  On the way up to Lee Canyon is an area that was developed a few years ago to provide both hiking and horse riding opportunities in the scrub just east of North Sister.  The basic hike from this location is an easy to moderate 3-mile loop that climbs a few hundred feet to the top of a ridge that provides pretty good views back toward Indian Springs and the nuclear testing site a bit beyond.  Toward the end of the ridge, the route turns for a short distance on Blue Tree Road before returning to the starting point.  The group will be assembling at Santa Fe Station for the customary 8:30 AM Saturday departure.  Coordinator - Guy Galante.

 

Sunday, July 22 - Pahrump Overlook Peak.  This strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike starts at the top of Lee Canyon Road on the Bristlecone Trail, transitions to the steeper No Name Trail, and makes the steepest climb up a loose trail to a ridge with views to the west including several peaks in California.  Sporadic trail and sections of bushwhacking lead to the peak on the highest spot of the ridge looking down on the city of Pahrump.  The group will be making an early start as they leave from Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM for the hike.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, July 23 - Twin Falls.  Start the week off with a moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike in the Cathedral Rock area that will visit two of the prominent waterfalls in upper Kyle Canyon.  The group will be using the Echo trail head just north of Kyle Canyon Road as it bends toward Cathedral Rock.  The journey will head up to Little Falls, just north of Cathedral Rock, retrace steps down the drainage and proceed to Echo Falls on the edge of Mazie Canyon.  Elevation gain is probably under 500 feet but there is a slight amount of scrambling getting to the first waterfall.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station and leave there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinators - Susan Haase & Tom Reiner.

 

Tuesday, July 24 - Lee Peak.  It is said that Lee Peak technically does not qualify as a peak because it does not have enough delineation from the North Ridge, but try telling that to the individuals that survive the strenuous 13-mile trek to the top involving 3,800 feet of elevation gain.  The out-and-back hike starts up Trail Canyon and turns left on North Loop Trail, passing Cave Springs and several overlook areas.  Although it is still quite steep with a lot of loose rock, the easiest access is to gain the summit from the west.  Views from the top are sensational.  The group will be assembling at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, July 25 - Griffith Peak.  South Loop Trail will serve as the highway for a strenuous 10-mile out-and-back hike to the third highest official peak in the Spring Mountains.  With the trail head near Cathedral Rock at 7,650 feet and the summit at 11,060 feet, there is just over 3,400 feet of net elevation gain.  Although the trail stays mainly in the wooded sections of the South Ridge slopes, there are several open overlooks and the 360 degree view from the summit is spectacular.  This is one of the joint training hikes for Mount Charleston, so an early group will meet at Desert Vista Community Center, leaving there at 7:00 AM for Santa Fe Station with the full group leaving there at 7:20 AM.  Coordinators - Lettie Gutierrez & Jon Lubinski.

 

Wednesday, July 25 - Mary Jane Falls.  A more laid back option for this Wednesday will be a moderate out-and-back trek to one of the major waterfalls in Kyle Canyon.  Starting from the parking lot off Echo Drive on the north side of Kyle Canyon, the group will head up the well maintained trail that includes a number of switchbacks to ease the climb rate.  Even so, the elevation gain will be 920 feet in the first half of the 3-mile total distance.  Pace should be leisurely to allow for more camaraderie.  The assembly point will be Santa Fe Station with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, July 26 - South Sister.  This dramatic peak on the north side of Lee Canyon has one of the steepest approaches around in the last few hundred yards below the top.  After starting nearly level walking through Old Mill Picnic Area and up a well marked trail, the route starts climbing through a canyon to a saddle and a series of connecting ridges.  Accessing the top where the sign-in box is located requires some Class III work through the surrounding cliffs.  Overall, this is a strenuous out-and-back hike covering 5 miles and gaining 2,000 feet of elevation.  The group will leave from Santa Fe Station for the trail head at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, July 26 - Cottonwood Canyon.  Several members have asked for evening hikes in the Las Vegas area and here is an opportunity to experience one.  Cottonwood Canyon is located in an arroyo near Costco on the west side of the city.  The entrance to the park is on Park Run Drive just west of Town Center Drive one stoplight north of Charleston.  The walk will cover a total of 3 level miles and is rated easy.  Although you shouldn't need it, you can bring a flashlight along.  If you don't know where the park is, you can meet a preliminary group at the Best Buy parking lot on Charleston across from Red Rock Station or you can drive directly to the park.  We will leave Best Buy at 6:50 PM and start the walk at 7:00 PM.  Coordinator - Joan Sahagun.

 

Friday, July 27 - Upper Kyle Canyon Drainage.  This hike is rapidly becoming one of our club's favorites because it is downhill all the way and participants don't have to work very hard.  The starting point is the Echo trail head near the top of Kyle Canyon.  The easy to moderate 4-mile route passes through the community of Old Town and eventually drops into the Kyle Canyon drainage.  The group will exit the drainage near the old golf course behind the Resort at Mount Charleston, where a few vehicles will have been left for the car shuttle.  Departure time from Siena will be 7:45 AM and the full group will leave Santa Fe Station at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

 

Saturday, July 28 - Wild Horse Ridge.  The start of this moderate 3-mile loop hike goes up North Loop Trail similar to the hike three weeks previously and takes the same faint trail across the side slope looking down into Wild Horse Canyon.  At an unmarked trail junction the group will follow a faint trail that descends the side slope of a ridge to the rocky level outcropping known as Wild Horse Ridge.  Views abound as we head east toward Highway 158.  Overall, this 3-mile loop hike carries a rating of moderate and gains around 900 feet.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, July 30 - North Loop Meadows.  The first half of this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike is the same as what the club experienced two days prior, climbing along North Loop Trail to the mid-ridge meadows below a set of twelve switchbacks that lead up to Raintree.  However, after a snack break at the meadows the group will turn around and retrace their steps back to the vehicles.  Elevation gain is around 900 feet on this trail hike.  The group will get together at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

 

Tuesday, July 31 - Mount Charleston/Griffith Peak.  One of the big doubles in the Spring Mountains is a hike that takes in both the highest and third highest peaks in the range.  For this outing, the group will basically be doing an out-and-back trek along South Loop Trail to the top of Charleston, then will take a short side trip on the way down to the top of Griffith.  The full very strenuous hike is about 18 miles in length and has over 5,000 feet of gross elevation gain.  Only the most experienced hikers should contemplate this trek.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for a 6:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Best of luck to all those club members making the long drive up to Elko, Nevada on July 16 for a five day outing in the Ruby Mountains.  All twenty of the rooms originally allocated were taken, so there should be a full house of around 40 participants that week.  Just as a reminder, the next club outing away from Las Vegas will take place September 10-14 in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Refer to the club newsletter for more information about this outing.    

July 16 - 20, 2012    Ruby Mountains Organizer: Chris Dempsey 

The club outing to Elko, Nevada with hikes in Ruby Mountains, being held between Monday July 16 and Friday, July 20, is nearly set. At the present time, all twenty rooms originally put on hold have been booked, meaning we will have close to forty participants for the event. At the time of this writing, we have one double queen room currently held by Ed Matulis who is look- ing for another male club member to take the other bed and share of the cost of $79 plus tax per night. If your interested contact Ed at 575-8628 and also send Chris Dempsey an e-mail at dempseylv@aol.com letting him know you are going on the trip. 

All of the hikes scheduled will be out-and-back with a moderate and a more strenuous destina- tion. With the exception of Friday, they will all occur in Lamoille Canyon, the main recreation area within the mountain range. The schedule of hikes is as follows: 

Tuesday, July 17—All participants will start on the Ruby Crest Trail with Liberty Pass as the moderate destination and Liberty Lake as the more strenuous destination. 

Wednesday, July 18—All participants will hike Right Fork Lamoille Creek with the moderate group covering a distance of five miles and the more strenuous group around 8 miles.. 

Thursday, July 19—Again all participants will head up the same trail with the moderate group going as far as Island lake and the more strenuous group heading for Island Lake Peak, an addi- tional gain of 1420 feet. 

Friday, July 20—Those wishing to stretch their legs a bit before the long drive home will do a short 2-mile hike between Angel lake and Smith Lake. This hike is on the north end of the range near Wells with good access back to Highway 93.