May 2013 Hike List

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

Here is a list of the scheduled club hikes for May 2013.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  The very 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 hikes 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 in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains, only one hike is scheduled for Saturdays and it is intended for the general membership.  Hikes on other days of the week may vary significantly depending on who has volunteered to serve as coordinator.  Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience MUST begin with the later Saturday hikes or an equivalent weekday hike before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of a hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo! Groups informing of any changes or cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or at (702) 823-2355.

Generally during the middle of May our club makes the transition from the lower elevations around Red Rock Canyon to the higher elevations in the Spring Mountains (often referred to as the Mount Charleston area) and the assembly locations change.  For hikes in the Red Rock area, the primary meeting place is the parking lot in front of the Best Buy store on the north side of Charleston Boulevard across from Red Rock Station Casino.  The store backs up to Highway 215 and the entrance to the parking lot is off Canyon Pointe.  For hikes west on Highway 160, there is a secondary pickup point at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 to accommodate south side participants.  For hikes in the Mount Charleston area, the pre-hike assembly point is on the south side of the 3rd level of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station.  This garage can be accessed either from Lone Mountain Road on the south side of the property or from Rancho if driving in a southbound direction.  DO NOT expect to find the group in the parking garage on the north side of the casino.  Directions to the staging points for any other hikes will be included in the descriptive write-up for those hikes.  Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.  Usually the group will begin assembling as much as one-half hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

Wednesday, May 1 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  The month will kick off with a moderately strenuous out-and-back hike to a stone shelter in a side canyon north of the White Rock Hills that was believed to be constructed by miners who dug shafts in the side of the La Madre ridge above the cabin.  Two-thirds of the route for this hike follows the abandoned and closed gravel roads from Willow Springs to La Madre Springs.  Once above the upper spring, the route becomes a single track trail that follows a creek and becomes quite steep and even loose as it approaches the shelter.  Total distance involved is 5 miles and there is 1,400 feet of elevation gain.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Keith Lane.

Thursday, May 2 - Waterfall Canyon.  Also starting at Willow Springs, this 4-mile out-and-back hike is located in a side canyon about a mile and a half up Rocky Gap Road and features a series of waterfalls and water slides and even a couple areas of desert bamboo.  Although the distance is relatively short, the amount of scrambling over slick rock, the constant crossing of the stream, and some significantly steep sections of trail cause this hike to be rated moderately strenuous.  In addition, there will be a variation to the normal route as our coordinator intends to boulder scramble up Red Rock Wash in the first part of the hike.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for a departure at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, May 3 - Ice Box Canyon via SMYC Trail.  Although the alternate starting point for the hike into this deep canyon in the northern section of the escarpment only adds about a mile to the distance, it also adds some spectacular scenery along the base of the Wilson Cliffs.  At a total distance of 4 miles, this out-and-back hike only has a few hundred feet of elevation gain and is rated as moderate.  The ultimate destination is a ledge near the base of a 30-foot seasonal waterfall that requires something less than one-half mile of boulder scrambling each way in the drainage.  Most of the boulders are not very big and should not present a logistics problem for the average hiker.  The group will get together at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, May 4 - Lone Mountain & Picnic.  Our club's annual Spring Picnic will be held this year at the Lone Mountain Regional Park in the northwest corner of Las Vegas, located on the west side of Jensen between Alexander and Lone Mountain Road.  Attendees must e-mail Diane Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or call at (702) 823-2355 to make reservations and indicate food choices.  See the April newsletter for more information.  Reservations will not be required for the hike, which will begin from the parking lot on the south end of the park promptly at 8:00 AM.  The relatively short hike is only about 3 miles and there are three choices of routes.  Chris Dempsey will take one group on the traditional route, using the trails on the south and east sides of the 700-foot mountain.  Michael O'Connor will be utilizing a more difficult route to the top which will probably require use of hands.  Anyone wishing to do the level walk around the mountain are welcome to do that.  With the lunch portion starting at noon, everyone should be done with an abundance of time to spare.

Sunday, May 5 - Dragon Canyon/Gateway Canyon.  This moderately strenuous loop hike will begin from the gravel parking area on the northwest corner of Calico Basin and cover a distance of a little under 5 miles.  The route will follow the one used some six weeks ago, climbing through a canyon that runs parallel to Ash Canyon, eventually traversing across the face of the limestone peak that appears to have several names and reaching the top portion of Ash Canyon.  In the downhill portion of the hike, the group will head down to Gateway Canyon and follow the lower section of that canyon around the back side of Krafft Mountain with its spectacular sandstone formations.  The finish of the hike is around the south side of Krafft with its somewhat famous boulder field.  Meet the other participants at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Monday, May 6 - North Loop Meadows.  Our club's first hike of the season in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains will be this moderate 3.2-mile out-and-back trek along the North Loop Trail from Deer Road, which is also State Route 158.  The trailhead is at 8,300 feet above sea level and there is 900 feet of elevation gain getting to the open area on the ridge halfway to Raintree, so participants will have to huff and puff a bit more in the thinner air to reach the rest stop destination.  The meadows provides an excellent spot for an unobstructed view of the full length of Mummy Mountain, which sits directly to the west.  Meet the other hike participants at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  See preamble for driving directions.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Tuesday, May 7 - Gray Cap Peak.  The standard out-and-back route out of Sandstone Quarry will be used for this strenuous 6-mile hike that explores one of the most scenic areas near Las Vegas.  After hiking around the north end of the Calico Hills and Red Cap, the group will head down a side canyon and connect with Gateway Canyon.  From there it is mostly scrambling, first in the limestone drainage that features a number of dry waterfalls and then on the sandstone formations leading to the peak.  Although it takes some serious work to reach the peak, those who do will experience on of the most sensational views around.  Departure for the trailhead will be from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson. 

 

Wednesday, May 8 - Red Cap.  The straightforward route to the top of the red mantle at the north end of the Calico Hills still includes lots of boulder scrambling and a bit of exposure, but it is still probably the safest route.  Total distance is only 3 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain, but the level of scrambling results in a rating of moderately strenuous.  Once the route gets on the ledges above the Calico Tanks Trail in the Calico Hills, the views become incredible.  The return route is a bit different as the group will be visiting a few natural tanks on top of the ridge and descending past a fairly significant climbing route known as Mass Production Wall.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, May 9 - Krafft Mountain Traverse.  Some months ago we accomplished the traverse across the top of Krafft Mountain by using a west to east route.  On this hike, we will be reversing the direction and traveling across the top from east to west.  This means that the group will follow the trail at the base of the mountain to the entrance to Gateway Canyon before beginning the serious scrambling to the peak.  On the west end is the saddle at the top of Five Stop Hill, which the group will descend on the way back to the vehicles.  Total distance for the strenuous loop hike is about 4 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.  The assembled group will leave from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, May 10 - Pine Creek.  This scenic trek into the lowest sections of Pine Creek Canyon can best be described as an easy to moderate partial loop hike of about 3 miles.  Starting from the Pine Creek parking area along the scenic drive, the trail descends and crosses Red Rock Wash and stays fairly level as it passes the old Wilson homestead foundation.  The loop portion begins just past the foundation, as a short section of the Arnight Trail is used to access a secondary trail on the south side of the combined drainage.  A couple of crossings of stream beds are necessary to get back on the main trail returning to the vehicles, but neither of these have any impediments.  The group will be assembling at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, May 11 - Blue Diamond Canyons 2 & 3.  The group will depart from Best Buy promptly at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Saturday, May 11 - White Rock Trail.  The later hike for our club's last Saturday in Red Rock Canyon until September or October will begin at Willow Springs Picnic Area and follow the official trail through the forested canyon on the north side of the White Rock Hills.  Although there is significant shade along the trail, the potential for extreme heat may shorten the hike for safety reasons.  If not shortened, the moderate out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 4 to 5 miles reaching the highest point on the trail for a snack break on a colorful sandstone outcropping.  Elevation gain along the way is around 900 feet, but there are no steep sections of trail and the pace will be leisurely.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Sunday, May 12 - Sandstone Canyon.  We don't often hike in the canyon behind Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and most people are not even aware of any trails in the area, so this may be a new experience for many of the participants.  The only real difficulty the group may encounter is access into the canyon itself, which is controlled somewhat by park personnel.  Otherwise, the out-and-back hike should cover a distance of around 4 miles.  This canyon does contain some fairly large boulders that may come into play depending on the route taken, so we should probably be conservative in our rating of the hike and call it moderately strenuous.  In case access to the canyon is denied, there are a few other trails that are not as difficult that could be incorporated into the hike.  Departure time from Best Buy will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jon Lubinski.

Monday, May 13 - Fletcher Canyon.  The transition to the Mount Charleston area continues with a moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike into a side canyon on the north side of Kyle Canyon Road.  The trailhead is just under 7,000 feet above sea level and the vertical gain is only 500 feet, so breathing should be a bit easier than the previous Monday.  The majority of the hike is on trail along a stream bed, but the last section before the rest stop involves just a bit of minor scrambling up the slot canyon to a small seasonal waterfall below Obstacle Rock.  Just below the rest stop area the canyon is only six feet across from wall to wall.  The group will depart from the assembly point at Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Dennis Rohne.

Tuesday, May 14 - Rainbow Loop. This is a 5.7-mile loop hike that starts in the parking areas used for Fletcher Canyon (near the visitor center), starts west on a trail along the drainage, then turns fairly steep as it climbs to a junction with the South Loop Trail above the campgrounds.  After a short distance on that trail, we will turn off on an abandoned gravel road leading toward an old wellpoint, then take a single track trail to the summer cabins at the top of the small community of Rainbow.  The last part of the hike is a descent through Rainbow and a return along the first mile used on the overall route.  Elevation gain is around 1,200 feet and the rating is moderate. Departure time from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey. 

 

Wednesday, May 15 - Calico Hills.  Back at Red Rock Canyon for the last couple of days lends itself to an early morning jaunt along the west side of the sandstone hills from the fee booth parking lot to Sandstone Quarry and back.  This moderate hike covers a total distance of 6 miles and has a net elevation gain of 700 feet, but there are sections of rolling terrain that will increase that amount.  The first mile of the hike is on high ground generally above the scenic drive but the stretch from Calico I Overlook to Sandstone Quarry drops into or crosses the canyon floor on several occasions.  Departure from Best Buy will be at 7:15 AM to avoid the warmer parts of the day.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, May 16 - Windy Peak.  What could be better to finish off the Red Rock spring season than a trek to the top of the distinctive peak nearly at the south end of the escarpment.  The 6-mile out-and-back hike starts near Mountain Spring Summit on Highway 160 and climbs a steep section of gravel road past a communications tower.  Less than half a mile from the peak, the terrain transitions from limestone to sandstone and shows indications of massive movement of the Pacific Plate in the past.  This section also contains a 60-foot stretch of fairly significant rolling exposure, so the hike is probably not for the faint of heart.  The view from the top is sensational.  Meet the other hikers at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, May 17 - Mary Jane Falls.  It's back to the Mount Charleston area for the rest of the summer!  On this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike, the group will gain 920 feet of elevation along a scenic trail that terminates at the base of a seasonal waterfall.  Since we are doing this hike fairly early in the year and there were good snowfall levels in the higher Spring Mountains this winter, it's possible that there could be some significant flowage over the 80-foot falls.  A very short side trail past the waterfall leads to a shallow cave that offers one of the best accessible views of Kyle Canyon below.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will occur at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Dennis Rohne.

Saturday, May 18 - Telephone Canyon.  Turnout may be quite good for this moderate 4-mile point-to-point hike near the police substation in lower Kyle Canyon.  Why?  Because it's downhill for the entire length of the hike.  Starting point on the ground is at Robbers' Roost and the group will drop over 1,000 feet of elevation before reaching those vehicles that were dropped to assist in the car shuttle.  Much of the route is through forested areas that include pine and oak along with other forms of vegetation.  This canyon is also somewhat important from a historical perspective, and that significance will be explained early on in the hike.  Meet the other group members at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, May 20 - Bristlecone Loop.  It's just about 6 miles to make the full trek around the signature loop hike at the top of Lee Canyon.  In that distance, however, participants will be treated to gradual sections of trail through pine forests, open views of the distinctive peaks surrounding the top of Lee Canyon, and even a few short spots across rock outcroppings.  Overall, this moderate hike with 700 feet of elevation gain is a lot of fun and can be accomplished by most of the club members who are comfortable with the distance.  Add to that the fact that the pace will be leisurely and you have the perfect ingredients to enjoy a day near Mount Charleston.  The lower trailhead will be the starting point for this counter clockwise hike.  The assembly point will be at Santa Fe Station with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Judy Warner.

Tuesday, May 21 - Raintree via Trail Canyon.  This hike is probably something less than most Tuesday folks are used to, but everyone needs to acclimate themselves to the higher elevations before challenging the most difficult peaks.  Therefore, we will be pursuing an out-and-back hike that climbs through Trail Canyon on the official trail and turns right at the saddle on North Loop Trail to the ancient tree.  Total distance for the out-and-back hike is 7.4 miles and the elevation gain is about 2,100 feet, with a rating of moderately strenuous.  If you have been wanting to try one of those Tuesday hikes but have been concerned about the difficulty level, the only important requirements for this one is that you can handle the distance and elevation.  Meet the other participants on this hike at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, May 22 - Lee Canyon Narrows.  This area of lower Lee Canyon is often described as Champion Canyon, but the fact is Champion Road is but a recreational gravel road in Lee Canyon.  Anyway, the hike will start from Highway 158 as it crosses over the main Lee Canyon drainage.  Although listed as an out-and-back hike, there are a few choices involved that may make the return section of the hike somewhat different.  Distance will be about 5 miles and there is 700 feet of elevation change, which will be recovered on the way back to the vehicles.  Overall rating is moderate.  There is one obstacle in the drainage which most participants will probably elect to bypass on an alternate trail.  The third floor of the parking garage at Santa Fe Station will again be the meeting location with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator  Gail Surgent.

Thursday, May 23 - Raintree via North Loop.  Although the destination is the same as the outing two days prior, it is the only thing in common between the two hikes, as the approach to the 3,000 year old tree is from the North Loop trailhead off Highway 158.  This out-and-back hike is also rated moderately strenuous, and it covers a total distance of 6 miles while having a net elevation gain of 1,600 feet.  This will be the first club hike of the year to tackle the "dreaded dozen" switchbacks found just past the meadows on North Loop Trail.  Excellent open views of Mummy Mountain, Fletcher Peak, and Griffith Peak will be featured along the route.  The group will assemble in the usual spot at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, May 24 - Wild Horse Canyon.  Originally we were going to schedule Cathedral Rock on this Friday, but continuing work at the top of Kyle Canyon has wiped out the parking lot and the stairs that lead to the trail, so we decided to wait until at least June for that hike.  Wild Horse Canyon is a moderate 3.3-mile loop hike that begins at the eastern trailhead for North Loop Trail located off Highway 158.  After reaching the meadows (see May 6 hike) the route heads off to the right on a side trail heading directly toward Mummy Mountain, then drops fairly steeply into the canyon on the same trail.  Surprisingly, water flowing through the tree-covered canyon provides a setting for aquatic plants and flowers not seen much in the Spring Mountains.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, May 25 - Upper Kyle Canyon Drainage.  Beginning Saturday hikers should love the start to the Spring Mountain block of hikes as this is the second one in a row completely downhill.  Starting point will be the parking lot for Echo Trail located quite close to the big left hand bend in Kyle Canyon Road near the top.  Instead of heading up the trail, however, the group will get into the drainage and pass under the highway bridge before accessing a trail that will take the group through the heart of Old Town.  After some additional minor scrambling in the drainage, the group will exit close to the lodge and the abandoned golf course.  Total distance is about 4 miles with a drop of 700 feet of elevation and an easy to moderate rating.  The group will leave from Santa Fe Station at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Monday, May 27 - Mary Jane Falls.  This Monday is Memorial Day but that's not a reason to avoid hiking.  Actually, it usually only takes a couple of hours to complete this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike, so participants should have plenty of time to get down from the mountains and prepare for those very hot afternoon barbeques.  Perhaps there will still be a trickle over the 80-foot waterfall that will provide a cool shower if anyone wants to get wet, but there will also be the cliffs and the spectacular views down into Kyle Canyon to provide a reward for those who put out the effort of reaching the well-known waterfall.  Overall, the elevation gain is listed as 920 feet.  Departure time will be 8:30 AM from the customary meeting spot at Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Susan Haase.

Tuesday, May 28 - Devil's Thumb.  Tuesday hikers have had their warm-up and now it's time for the real thing.  This strenuous out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 13 miles and gain 3,200 feet of elevation in the process.  The route incorporates Trail Canyon Trail to the junction at the saddle, then turns left on North Loop Trail to the base of the cleft ledge on the north ridge just past Lee Peak.  Along the way are lots of great views of the significant peaks in the Spring Mountains and several of the interesting canyons.  Because of the distance of this hike, the departure time from Santa Fe Station will be moved up to 7:00 AM to get people back to Las Vegas before the day is over.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, May 29 - Fletcher Canyon.  It's always easy to schedule this hike on a repeating basis since it involves such beautiful terrain and is not very difficult.  In fact, classifying this 4-mile out-and-back hike as moderate is almost a stretch since there is only about 500 feet of vertical gain along the way.  Justifying the rating is the inclusion of three or four short but steep climb sections along the trail portion and the fact that the last section of the hike to the base of Obstacle Rock is mostly in the drainage, requiring a minimal amount of boulder scrambling.  Come and experience what it's like to walk through a narrow slot canyon with steep walls on both sides.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Susan Haase.

Thursday, May 30 - Fletcher Peak via North Loop Trail.  The traditional route to the fourth highest separate peak surrounding Kyle Canyon will be used for this strenuous out-and-back hike starting from the North Loop trailhead on Highway 158.  That means the total distance should be just over 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1,800 feet.  What makes this hike a bit tricky is that the secondary trail to the peak is faint and can disappear in a few spots, making it rather important to know the specific route.  Other than that, only a bit of steep terrain below the peak offers any great challenge.  The panoramic view from the top provides a great reward for the effort.  The full group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, May 31 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  Essentially a hike along a forest service road built to provide access to the slopes north of Lee Canyon Road in case of a fire, the route still provides a chance to recreate under the pine trees and get some great open views of the mountains surrounding Lee Canyon.  There are not any steep sections on the 5-mile out-and-back hike to cause any problems, so a moderate rating is certainly appropriate.  The turn-around point and the snack break will occur near the junction of Bristlecone Trail with Bonanza Trail.  Participants may need to keep an eye open for mountain bikers who are allowed to use this trail.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.