September 2013 Hike List

September begins our transition from the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains to the area around Red Rock Canyon.  Besides those two locations, there will be a number of evening walks scheduled in a neighborhood park in the northwest part of the city.  As a result, there are three potential major meeting locations for participants in club hikes.  Here are the locations.

Higher Elevations of the Spring Mountains - We will continue to meet at the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station Casino.  This garage can be accessed either from Lone Mountain Road on the south side of the property or directly from Rancho if driving in a southbound direction.  If you are driving northbound on Rancho, turn in at the main entrance to the property and turn left again to access the garage.  Do not use the larger garage on the north end of the casino building.  When heading up the ramp on the inside of the parking garage, turn left at the third level and the group will be assembling at that point.

Red Rock Canyon Area - We will no longer be allowed to leave vehicles in the lot in front of Best Buy, so we are moving the assembly point to the lot servicing the Albertsons Grocery and Dunkin' Donuts, where several other hiking groups also meet.  This shopping area and lot is located at the intersection of Charleston Boulevard (Highway 159) and Desert Foothills Drive about one-half mile west of CR 215.  If you are driving west on Charleston you can turn into the shopping center before you get to the stop light at Desert Foothills.  Generally, we will be parking and waiting about halfway between the previously mentioned commercial establishments.

Pueblo Park - The neighborhood park is in a working arroyo that is actually used to bring rainwater runoff down to the lower holding ponds in the valley.  The entrance to the park is located on eastbound Lake Mead Boulevard just west of Buffalo.  The next major cross street to the west is Rampart Boulevard about one mile away.  If you are traveling westbound on Lake Mead Boulevard, you must execute a U-turn to get back to the park entrance.  There are about two dozen parking spots in the park.

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.  Strenuous Tuesday hikes are only for qualifying experienced members.

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

Sunday, September 1 - Avalanche Canyon.  So named because of a massive avalanche down the center of the canyon in 2005, this hike involves scrambling over lots of downed trees, other debris, and scree in addition to a few boulders.  The partial loop version winds up beneath the cave near Mary Jane Falls and returns down the regular switchback trail to the parking area.  Total distance is about 5 miles, gross elevation gain is around 1,200 feet, and a strenuous rating applies.  Departure from Santa Fe will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinators - Helmut DeCandia & Edwina Labrecque.

Monday, September 2 - Sawmill Trails.  A pleasant trail hike in lower Lee Canyon that climbs a couple hundred feet to a ridge with great views toward Creech Air Force Base back country and the Nevada Testing Site.  Total distance for the loop hike is about 3 or 4 miles, depending on any side trips, and is rated as easy to moderate.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 3 - Ski Lee Slopes Part II.  Starting from the Upper Bristlecone trailhead the group will hike to the top of the chair lift and continue on to the North Loop Trail using a series of steep drainage ravines.  The climb rate gets much steeper toward the top of the ridge with significant scree with a bit of Class 3 climbing and some exposure near the top.  It will probably be a short hike in the 4-mile range with 1,800 feet of elevation gain and a very strenuous rating.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Tuesday, September 3 - Pueblo Park.  This pleasant out-and-back evening walk will cover a distance of 3 miles while gaining less than 100 feet of elevation.  Rated easy, this outing will begin from the vicinity of the parking area promptly at 7:00 PM.  Flashlights will be helpful.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

With so many members of the club participating in the Zion outing this week, we will not have any organized club hikes until Saturday, September 7, when the regular schedule resumes.

Saturday, September 7 - Cathedral Rock.  At the time this schedule was completed the tail to Cathedral Rock was still closed as a result of the Carpenter 1 Fire, but we are hoping it will open in time for this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike gaining 950 feet of elevation to a rock outcropping with a magnificent view of the entire length of Kyle Canyon.  If the trail is not open, there will be a substitute hike.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Sunday, September 8 - Stanley B/Cockscomb Ridge Exploratory.  Carrying a very strenuous rating because of elevation gain and difficult terrain, this 5 to 6-mile hike will take the left fork of Stanley B from the Leroy Mine junction and follow the drainage up to a ridge.  Turning left, the group will attempt to climb up the east face of Cockscomb Peak, take a break, and retrace steps to the vehicles.  There is some significant exposure on the rock formations at the top of the peak.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez. 

Monday, September 9 - Fletcher Canyon.  One of the signature hikes in the upper elevations of the Spring Mountains is this 4-mile out-and-back hike that includes a beautiful slot canyon at the northern end of the hike where the snack break will occur below Obstacle Rock and the small rabbit hole that allows access to the upper canyon.  Elevation gain is around 500 feet for this moderate hike that includes a bit of minor boulder scrambling.  The group will depart at 8:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 10 - Pahrump Overlook Peak.  A variety of terrain and a great view of Pahrump highlights this strenuous 7-mile out-and-back hike that starts along the Upper Bristlecone Trail connecting with No Name Trail.  About 4 miles of the distance is along an undulating ridge with little trail and an occasional ground obstacle.  Net elevation gain is not reflective of the overall difficulty at about 1,200 feet.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, September 10 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Wednesday, September 11 - Telephone Canyon Loop.  Also on the previous month schedule for August 28, this moderate 6-mile loop hike will be done in the opposite direction from the earlier outing, following a clockwise direction toward the top of the canyon approaching the Robbers' Roost parking area.  Elevation gain is close to 1,000 feet with some loose trail conditions.  Departure from Santa Fe Station is at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, September 12 - Mormon Girls Camp.  Now that Labor Day has come and the camp has been vacated for the summer, we have an opportunity to schedule the moderately strenuous 5-mile loop hike through the camp.  The climb portion of the hike is along the private gravel road servicing the homes above Deer Creek Picnic Area.  The highlight of the camp is the chance to cross a fairly low drainage on the rope bridge connecting the two sides.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, September 12 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them..  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Friday, September 13 - Mary Jane Falls.  The elevation gain is 920 feet on this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike following the standard trail that incorporates more than a dozen sweeping switchbacks and a challenging set of stone steps on the upper reaches of the trail approaching the multi-tiered seasonal waterfall.  Join the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, September 14 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  Aspen, pine, and open views alternate on this leisurely out-and-back hike with a moderate rating covering a total distance of 4.8 miles while gaining 700 feet of elevation.  The snack break will occur at the halfway point where the Bonanza Trail has its southern beginnings and heads toward the quaint community of Cold Creek.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Patti Beckstead.

Sunday, September 15 - Pine Cone Canyon.  A strenuous outing on the north side of Lee Canyon, this 5 to 6-mile hike will climb through a seldom-used side canyon to the Bonanza Trail, then cross over a rolling ridge to the saddle used as part of the southern approach to South Sister.  The group will be leaving Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM for the drive to the trailhead.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, September 16 - Trail Canyon.  From the new trailhead parking area along Echo Road this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike covers a total distance of just under 5 miles while gaining over 1,500 feet of elevation to the northern terminus of the trail at North Loop Trail.  A rocky ledge a couple of hundred feet above to the southeast provides a dramatic view of Fletcher Canyon and a great snack spot.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 17 - Mummy's Tummy.  Now that North Loop Trail is finally open above Trail Canyon Trail, we can schedule this strenuous 9-mile out-and-back hike to the top of the second highest peak in the Spring Mountains.  Overall elevation gain of 3,900 feet is pretty daunting, but the toughest part by far is the side slope scree field used above North Loop Trail, where the phrase "two feet forward, one foot back" is close to the truth.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Tuesday, September 17 - Cottonwood Canyon.  The series of weekly evening walks continues, but the location for this Tuesday will shift to Cottonwood Canyon Park, located on Park Run Drive (one block north of Charleston Boulevard) on the west side of Town Center Drive.  Entrance to the park is just west of the nursing home complex.  The easy, level walk will take in a total distance of 3 miles with the eastern leg going as far as Hualapi and the western leg ending near CR 215.  Starting time of the walk will be 7:00 PM.  Flashlights may be helpful.  Coordinator - Joan Sahagun.

Wednesday, September 18 - No Name/Bristlecone Loop.  One of our club's most anticipated hikes is this moderate 6-mile partial loop trek that utilizes a trail abandoned by the forest service that connects Bristlecone Trail with the Bonanza Trail several switchbacks up from the southern end of that trail.  There is only about 1,200 feet of gain, but over half of this is along a one-half mile stretch following a narrow drainage to a saddle west of the regular Bristlecone Trail.  Meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Thursday, September 19 - Fletcher Peak.  The standard out-and-back route up North Loop Trail will be used to reach this 10,000-foot plus peak that forms the western boundary of Upper Kyle Canyon.  The hike is rated as strenuous and gains 1,800 feet over the course of the hike, which covers about 7.5 miles.  Departure from Santa Fe Station is at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, September 19 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Friday, September 20 - Bristlecone Loop.  If there are colors on the mountain from the aspen leaves turning it will probably be through the wooded section above the ski runs and on the slopes of the higher mountains.  Come along with the rest of the group on a moderate 6-mile loop hike that has a 900 vertical change from the lower trailhead to the highest point of the trail.  Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, September 21 - Fletcher Canyon.  The last full day of summer will once again find us in the narrow slot canyon on the north side of Kyle Canyon Road that is one of the most beautiful fairly accessible spots in the Spring Mountains.  The moderate out-and-back hike will cover a total distance of 4 miles while gaining 500 feet of elevation.  The group will leave from Santa Fe Station at 8:30 AM for this fairly leisurely hike.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Sunday, September 22 - South Calico Hills Scramble.  A return to lower elevations marks this strenuous 4-mile scrambling effort that will start climbing from Red Springs Picnic Area, cross over the sandstone hills, and descend in the vicinity of Calico II.  Instead of just following the trail around the south end of the Calico Hills, another scrambling route will cross back over to the starting point from Calico I.  Distance of 4 miles, 1,800 feet of elevation gain, a strenuous rating, and some exposure are elements of the hike.  Departure from the Albertsons parking lot will be at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Monday, September 23 - Lee Canyon Narrows.  Starting from the Sawmill Picnic Area along Lee Canyon Road, the group will cross the highway and follow the drainage downward in Lower Lee Canyon following the recreational Champion Road.  One major obstacle on the way down is a boulder waterfall that is easily bypassed by trail.  Although technically an out-and-back hike, there are options to be explored on the uphill return.  Moderate rating, distance of 5 miles, and 700 feet elevation change are the applicable details, with the departure from Santa Fe Station at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Gail Surgent.

Tuesday, September 24 - McFarland Peak.  One of the most intimidating peaks in the Spring Mountains is this mountain north of Lee Canyon with cliffs almost the entire distance around the top.  This very strenuous out-and-back hike will approach from the Cold Creek side of the mountain, gaining 4,250 feet along the torturous 8-mile out-and-back route.  Abundant Class 3 scrambling will slow the pace down with an expected duration of eight hours for the hike.  High clearance vehicles are necessary to get to the trailhead.  An early departure time of 6:30 AM from Santa Fe Station will be necessary to provide an adequate margin.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Tuesday, September 24 - Bristlecone Trail.  If you didn't get a chance to check out fall colors along this trail the previous Friday, here is one more opportunity.  For this version of the hike the group will start at the lower trailhead and hike to the upper trailhead, a distance of slightly more than 5 miles.  Expect an easier pace than usually occurs on Tuesday on this rare moderate hike offered as an alternative to the usual Tuesday mayhem.  The group will depart at 8:00 AM from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.

Tuesday, September 24 - Pueblo Park.  An easy fairly level 3-mile out-and-back evening walk along a paved trail starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Bring flashlights if you have them.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.  

Wednesday, September 25 - Big Falls.  A 3-mile out-and-back trek to the base of the most impressive waterfall in the Spring Mountains during snow melt season provides a real contrast to Mary Jane Falls across the way at the top of Kyle Canyon.  Although quite short, this hike is rated as moderately strenuous because of the amount of scrambling over and around large boulders and the accumulation of tree trunks and other debris deposited by a large avalanche some eight years ago.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Carl Weller.

Thursday, September 26 - Hollow Rock Peak.  The out-and-back trek to the first mountain north of the Cottonwood Fault Line is unusual in that the highest elevation attained is on a ridge bump more than a mile from the actual peak.  Sitting on a rock slab at the peak with a half mile drop to the base tends to make people forget that fact.  Significant scrambling is involved on the sandstone approaching the peak.  Meet the rest of the group at the Albertsons on Charleston Boulevard for a 7:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Tim Borem.

Thursday, September 26 - Pueblo Park.  Here is one last chance for the month to enjoy an evening stroll along a paved trail following the drainage in a working arroyo.  Drive directly to the park on Lake Mead Boulevard for this easy 3-mile out-and-back walk starting from the end of the parking area at 7:00 PM.  Coordinator - Helmut DeCandia.

Friday, September 27 - Fletcher Canyon.  Enjoy the spectacular surroundings of the slot canyon negotiated in the upper reaches of this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike.  Although some scrambling is required, it will offer no difficulty for the average hiker.  Meet the rest of the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Patti Beckstead.

Saturday, September 28 - Stanley B/Fletcher Canyons.  Rated as moderately strenuous, this 6-mile loop hike will stage at the Fletcher Canyon parking area and follow the Kyle Canyon drainage upstream about a mile before heading uphill past the Leroy Mine in Stanley B Springs Canyon to a saddle.  The descent into Fletcher Canyon is steep and the rabbit hole at Obstacle Rock must be dropped through on the way back to level group.  There will be a 7:00 AM departure from Santa Fe Station for this hike.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Saturday, September 28 - Cathedral Rock.  The leisurely general membership hike on the last weekend of September will have the impressive rock outcropping at the north end of the Echo Cliffs as the destination.  There is a moderate rating assigned to the 3-mile out-and-back hike with 950 feet of elevation.  This trail is still closed at the time this schedule was compiled, but is expected to be open before long.  If it isn't, an equivalent hike such as Mary Jane Falls will take its place.  Plan on an 8:30 AM departure from Santa Fe Station.  Coordinator - Gail Surgent.

Sunday, September 29 - South Sister Loop.  Hopefully the aspen will be colorful for this strenuous 5 to 6-mile hike, which will be attempted in the reverse direction from the hike two Sundays previously.  Departure time from Santa Fe Station will again be at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, September 30 - Mary Jane Falls.  Finishing of the month will be an old standby - the moderate out-and-back hike along the well maintained trail climbing 920 feet from the newly redesigned parking area to the seasonal waterfall at the base of the ridge between Mount Charleston and Mummy Mountain.  Total distance is 3 miles.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Nancy Moore.