August 2013 Hike List

With the Carpenter 1 fire now 95% contained, one of the dangers in the Spring Mountains has apparently been resolved.  Now we have to deal with a new one.  About 43 square miles of terrain in the mountain range had virtually all of the ground cover except for some fire resistant trees wiped out, so there is now a continuing problem with potential landslides or mudslides.  A lot a stabilization work will have to be done in the coming months to make some of our favorite trails safe for hiking again.  Accordingly, we have no plans at the current time to schedule any hikes along South Loop or Harris Springs Trails or into Rainbow Canyon.  Cathedral Rock seems to have come through the fire relatively untouched, but problems in Mazie Canyon above the trail have caused any hiking there to be at least temporarily suspended.  We may possibly be able to add Cathedral Rock to our schedule for September.  Also, you will note that two hikes have been added to this schedule for July 31.

In the meantime, here is our schedule of hikes for the coming month.  Almost all of the club hikes will be in the Spring Mountains, although some members enjoyed the early morning outings in Red Rock Canyon in July so much that there will probably be some offerings for such hikes in August as well.  These will be sent out by separate e-mail through the Yahoo! site.  Please be aware that our usual meeting location in front of Best Buy has been declared off limits, so our groups will now be using the parking lot at the Albertsons Grocery farther west on Charleston for all Red Rock hikes.  This change in staging location is in effect starting immediately.  For Spring Mountain hikes, we will continue to use the 3rd level of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino for our assembly point.  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.  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.

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 Saturday hikes as these are the only ones that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace.

Questions regarding any of the hikes should be directed to Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com or by telephone at (702) 823-2355.

Wednesday, July 31 - Fletcher Peak via Trail Canyon.   A hike added to the Mount Charleston training schedule being offered jointly with Lone Mountain Hiking Club, this strenuous out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of about 10 miles while gaining 2,600 feet of elevation.  LMHC participants will leave Desert Vista Community Center at 7:00 AM with the ABF group departing from Santa Fe Station at 7:15 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Wednesday, July 31 - Lower Bristlecone via Old Mill Picnic Area.  This alternate hike is probably going to cover a distance of 5 or 6 miles and have a moderate or moderately strenuous rating.  A seldom used trail from Old Mill will deposit us on Bristlecone Trail for about 100 feet, then another faint trail will take us over to the lowest section of the Bonanza Trail.  The Bristlecone Trail will then be used for the return past the lower trailhead with a walk along the highway returning to the vehicles.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, August 1 - Raintree via North Loop.  The standard out-and-back route from the trailhead along Deer Creek Road will find the group covering a distance of 6 miles while gaining 1,600 feet of elevation.  The group will have an 8:00 AM departure time from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, August 2 - Fletcher Canyon.  This 4-mile out-and-back hike is probably rated moderate due to the minor scrambling that occurs in the narrow slot canyon for roughly 4/10ths of a mile in each direction immediately below our turn-around point at Obstacle Rock.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, August 3 - Horse Trough at Telephone Canyon.  A horse trough along a side ridge of the canyon is the destination for a moderate hike of something less than 4 miles.  Although net elevation gain is only around 300 feet, rolling terrain could bring the gross gain to over 1,000 feet.  A short trek to Robbers' Roost itself is an option at the end of the hike.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Sunday, August 4 - Wallace Canyon Plane Crash.  The route for this moderately strenuous outing will follow the regular route from No Name Trail over to the plane crash site.  It will then follow the high ridge to the north going back to the No Name Saddle, then continue along a ridge toward Bonanza Trail rather than taking the upper half of No Name Trail.  Distance will be around 6 or 7 miles.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, August 5 - Trail Canyon.  It's a straightforward route up the well traveled trail to the junction with North Loop Trail, covering a total distance of under 5 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.  Rest break will occur either on the logs at the junction or on the rock outcropping just beyond that looks down on Fletcher Canyon.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Pat Stutts.

Tuesday, August 6 - Mummy's Toe.  The part of Mummy's anatomy farthest to the south will be the destination for a strenuous 8-mile hike involving 2,500 feet of elevation gain and utilizing very steep trail.  Early approach will probably utilize the route along Deer Creek while the return will probably pass Raintree and may involve one of the routes associated with Wild Horse.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Tuesday, August 6 - Trails Community Urban Stroll.  Join the group for an easy evening stroll through the park and housing areas of the Trails community.  These are level asphalt walking paths and the distance covered should top out at about 3 miles.  Join the group at the Village Center Shopping Center at the northeast part of the parking lot between Vons and the US Bank office for a walking departure at 7:30 PM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Wednesday, August 7 - Lee Peak.  The final joint training hike in the Mount Charleston preparatory series will take the group on a very strenuous out-and-back hike to the top of a peak on the ridge east of Mount Charleston.  Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail will be used for the 13-mile hike with 3,600 feet of elevation gain.  As of the issuance of this schedule the section of North Loop Trail that is part of this hike is closed, but it is anticipated that it will reopen prior to the hike, as there is no fire damage in the area.  If the hike goes as scheduled, departure times will be 7:00 AM from Desert Vista Community Center for the LMHC group and 7:15 AM from Santa Fe Station for the ABF contingent.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinsky & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, August 8 - Fletcher Peak via Mummy Springs.  Although fairly difficult for a Thursday hike, this strenuous 9-mile loop hike will utilize the route along Deer Creek up to Mummy Springs, pass Raintree on the way to the side trail leading to the destination peak, then return along North Loop Trail to the vehicles.  Gross elevation gain will probably be in the 3,000 foot range.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, August 9 - Sawmill Trails.  One would have to assign a difficulty rating of easy to moderate on this 3 or 4-mile loop hike from the Sawmill Picnic Area on Lee Canyon Road.  The trail that will be utilized winds through a section of cliff roses and gains a ridge with a great view to the east.  Net elevation gain is probably only about 300 feet.  The group will leave Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, August 10 - Champion Canyon.  The starting point for this easy to moderate 3-mile loop hike is the same as that used on the previous day's hike, but the route is across the highway in Lower Lee Canyon following Champion Road, a decent recreational gravel road used occasionally by off-road enthusiasts.  Again, elevation gain will be around 300 feet.  Our departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Sunday, August 11 - Avalanche Canyon.  Located in the upper reaches of Kyle Canyon between the Big Falls and Mary Jane Falls routes is a seldom hiked canyon that was given its current name back in 2005 when a massive landslide deposited a 30-foot mound of snow and debris that stretched for nearly a half mile right down the center of the canyon.  This strenuous out-and-back hike into that canyon will likely cover about 5 miles and gain 1,500 feet in the process.  Most of this hike is off-trail and includes very rough terrain with lots of debris piles from the avalanche.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Monday, August 12 - Wild Horse Ridge.  We will be using the recently established starting point at the Deer Creek Picnic Area parking lot and walking up Deer Creek Road to the North Loop Trail to begin this moderate 4-mile loop hike with 900 feet of elevation.  Hiking sticks are advised as there is a steep descent along a ridge with only sporadic trail in the middle of the hike.  The ridge itself provides fantastic open views of the area.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 13 - Fletcher Peak via Hummingbird Gulch.  Probably involving some of the toughest negotiable terrain in the Spring Mountains, this route to Fletcher Peak is steep and uneven and has lots of brush.  Overall, the strenuous 7-mile loop hike gains 2,500 feet.  The return portion will probably be down North Loop Trail to a faint route down a steep slope at the top of Telephone Canyon that heads back to the starting point.  Departure will be 7:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Wednesday, August 14 - Mount Charleston.  Assuming the North Loop Trail opens in time, this very strenuous 18-mile out-and-back hike will be the culmination of an over two month long training program designed to condition hikers for making a first time assault on the highest peak in southern Nevada.  While net elevation gain is listed a 4,270 feet, there is significant rolling terrain on top of the ridge that adds to the total.  Departure of the LMHC group will be 5:00 AM from Desert Vista Community Center while the ABF contingent leaves Santa Fe Station at 5:00 AM.  Coordinators - Jon Lubinski & Larry Shahan.

Thursday, August 15 - Trail Canyon/Fletcher Canyon.  Car shuttling will be involved for this strenuous 5-mile point-to-point hike that will fortunately utilize trail from the parking lot on Echo Road for the climb portion of the route before tackling the bushwhacking and scrambling required in following Fletcher Canyon down and through the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock.  A departure time of 7:30 AM will be used to get the participants back to Las Vegas by early afternoon.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, August 16 - Telephone Canyon.  For the second straight day we have a point-to-point hike on the schedule, but this one is all downhill as it starts from the Robbers' Roost parking area and drops about 1,100 feet in elevation getting to the end of the hike near the police substation in Lower Kyle Canyon.  Because there is no elevation gain, the 4-mile hike is rated easy to moderate.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, August 17 - Bristlecone Loop.  The lower parking lot will be used as the starting point for this moderate 6-mile loop hike gaining about 800 feet in elevation, meaning the climb portion will occur in the first part of the hike.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for the normal Saturday departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - John Stewart.

Monday, August 19 - Upper Kyle Canyon Drainage.  Here is another 4-mile point-to-point hike that is essentially all downhill, as it starts at the Echo trailhead and follows the drainage and a series of unofficial trails through Old Town, past the current Mount Charleston Visitor Center, and along a trail area currently being constructed for the new visitor center to the ending point at the Resort at Mount Charleston.  Distance is about 4 miles and the rating is moderate because there is some minor scrambling.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station is at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 20 - Cockscomb Peak.  Much of the terrain getting to this jagged peak in the center of Cockscomb Ridge is jagged with sections of steep scree and exposure.  Accordingly, while only in the vicinity of 5 miles, this hike is rated very strenuous and only the strongest hikers in the club should consider taking it in.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Tim Borem.

Wednesday, August 21 - Big Falls/Mary Jane Falls.  This fairly short 5-mile hike is also rated strenuous, but there is no exposure along the route.  Care must be taken to pick the way over boulders and debris getting to the first waterfall and the route to the second waterfall follows the old trail that was decommissioned over fifteen years ago.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, August 22 - Cave Springs.  It's a moderately strenuous out-and-back route along Trail Canyon Trail and North Loop Trail that will take the participants up to the turn-around point at the horse trough directly below the springs, affording a great view of the upper part of Kyle Canyon.  Distance is around 6 miles with elevation gain approaching 1,800 feet.  Join the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Friday, August 23 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  The morning hike of the day will be a moderate out-and-back hike along the wooded section of the Bristlecone Trail from the vicinity of the ski resort.  Elevation gain for this stretch is around 700 feet and the rest break will occur at the junction of the Bristlecone and Bonanza Trails.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will occur at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Diane Dempsey.

Friday, August 23 - Sunset Park Evening Stroll.  The second scheduled event of the day will be an easy evening stroll of 2 or 3 miles along level paved trails in the park and surrounding area.  The hike will start from the main parking lot on Eastern just south of Sunset.  Participants should arrive at the park in sufficient time to allow for a 7:30 PM start for the walk.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Saturday, August 24 - Fletcher Canyon.  Saturday hikers will get a chance to experience the sensational views afforded in a true slot canyon on this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike with something under a mile of minor scrambling.  Bring a camera to capture the breathtaking views.  Departure from Santa Fe Station is at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.

Monday, August 26 - Wild Horse Canyon.  Unlike the neighboring hike from August 12, we will begin this trek at the North Loop Trailhead located on Deer Creek Road and follow the loop route in a clockwise direction, finishing in the named canyon by passing through Split Rock before walking back to the vehicles along the highway.  Total distance is 3.3 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain and a moderate rating.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station is 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, August 27 - Window in the Rock.  Here is a hike that is somewhat unique to our club in that we set up this hard to reach arch as a destination and also brought up the first sign-in book for the location.  Overall, this is a strenuous 9-mile out-and-back hike that includes some pretty significant scrambling on the ridge after reaching a saddle on the Bonanza Trail.  If you are a strong hiker and have not previously visited the arch, you are in for a treat.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, August 28 - Telephone Canyon Loop.  Originally scheduled for July 11, this will be the inaugural journey for our club on the moderate 6-mile loop route with 900 feet of elevation gain that starts from a forest service road off Highway 157 fairly close to the police substation in Lower Kyle Canyon and circles a rocky ridge that forms the western boundary of the canyon.  Some scrambling is involved.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, August 29 - Ski Lee Slopes Part 1.  Beginning at the Lower Bristlecone parking area, the group will trudge to the top of the primary chairlift at 9,400 feet and follow a slightly different route on the downhill return section.  This trek involves steep terrain but the is no exposure.  Figure on somewhere between 4 and 6 miles with just 1,000 feet of elevation gain and a moderately strenuous rating.  Meet the other participants at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, August 30 - No Name/Bristlecone Loop.  The standard set of trails will be used to accomplish this moderately strenuous 5 to 6-mile partial loop hike that includes the upper section of the Bristlecone Trail along with the southernmost section of the Bonanza Trail.  there is about 1,100 feet of elevation gain involved.  The group will depart from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, August 31 - Mary Jane Falls.  Finish off the month with a leisurely trek to the base of one of the two major waterfalls in the upper part of Kyle Canyon.  The moderate out-and-back hike is 3 miles in length and gains 920 feet along one of the premier trails in the Spring Mountains.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Hoskin.