The information below is
important to determine where our group meets prior to each hike. Please read this section before skipping to the actual hike
descriptions.
The August schedule includes
hikes in the Red Rock Canyon (including Cottonwood Valley) and the Mount
Charleston area with a few hikes scattered in other areas around Las Vegas. There is also the Hawaii trip at the end of the month. Below is information regarding
our meeting locations for the main areas. Hikes in other locations will have directions included in the descriptions for those
hikes.
Red
Rock Canyon Area.
Our
assembly point for hikes in Red Rock Canyon and the immediate vicinity is at
the Red Rock Casino on Charleston Boulevard just east of 215. To access the meeting location turn into the
casino property at the signalized intersection directly across from Canyon Pointe,
turn right directly in front of the casino, and immediately turn right into the
outdoor lot.
If
traveling east on Charleston from 215 you can turn right at the first entrance
and then make an immediate left into the lot. The group will be parking at the north end of the lot near Charleston
Boulevard.
For
hikes located in Cottonwood Valley and west
there will be a secondary meeting location available for individuals coming
from the south side of Las Vegas. That will be at the gas
station located at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 (Blue Diamond
Road). This will be a quick stop that will occur
about twenty or twenty-five minutes after the regular departure from Red Rock
Casino.
Mount
Charleston Area.
For
hikes north of Las Vegas in either the Mount Charleston area or in the Sheep
Mountains the assembly point will be at the Santa Fe Station Casino. This property has two parking garages, one on
the north end of the casino close to Highway 95 and the Rancho exit and one on
the southeast side closer to the intersection of Rancho and Lone Mountain Road. We always use the third level of the
southeast parking garage as our meeting location. This garage can be accessed from Lone
Mountain Road traveling in either direction at the entrance near the theater
addition. It can also be accessed from Rancho. If traveling northbound on Rancho, turn in at
the casino entrance
signalized intersection and turn left to access the garage. If traveling southbound on Rancho pass the
signal and turn at the entrance that directly accesses the garage. This second option is used if you are getting
to Santa Fe using northbound Highway 95 and taking the Rancho exit. Drive up to the third level and turn left -
we will be meeting right there
IMPORTANT
NOTE #1 - Hike coordinators may not always be at either the early or primary assembly points. Participants will need to monitor the time
and set up carpooling to the next meeting location or pickup point when that
occurs. Although most of these situations are noted in the
hike descriptions, others may occur that are not so noted.
IMPORTANT
POINT #2 - When reading the descriptions you will see references to both
Lake Mead Boulevard and Lake Mead
Parkway. These are different streets. Lake Mead Boulevard is an east-west street on
the north side of Las Vegas that runs completely across the city. Lake Mead Parkway is on the south side of the
city and is an east-west street that starts at the junction of I-515 and I-215
and extends over to the lake. Please do not mix these
up.
Times indicated for each hike
are departure times and are strictly observed. Usually the group will begin arriving as much as one-half
hour prior to the scheduled departure times.
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 hikes as these are the only
hikes that guarantee a fairly leisurely pace. Strenuous Tuesday hikes are only open to existing members
who are properly experienced. Be sure to wear appropriate
clothing, footwear, and hats and bring sunscreen, water, electrolyte
replacement fluids as needed, and food or snacks as desired for each outing.
Questions regarding general
information should be directed to Steve Allen at siallen@icloud.com or by telephone at (847) 772-3193. Specific questions regarding hikes should be directed to the listed
coordinator. Refer to the club roster for contact information.
Exposure
Class 1- Terrain
that does not require use of hands or other equipment but can be negotiated
using only foot power.
Class 2- Terrain that is
uneven or irregular that may require use of hands for stabilization.
Class 3- Generally
steep terrain that definitely requires use of hands over stretches to
accomplish the task.
Class 4- In addition
to use of hands, some level of equipment is necessary to accomplish the task. This may
include webbing or short sections of rope for minor climbs or belay systems for
more difficult climbs.
Difficulty Levels
Easy- Hikes of 3 miles or less with not more than 300
feet of gain, generally with only gradual elevation gains on even surface trails.
Easy to Moderate- Hikes ranging up to 5 miles and 500 feet of elevation
gain with the potential for some minor trail irregularities.
Moderate- Hikes that generally have a maximum distance of 8 miles with 800
feet of elevation gain. Somewhat longer mileage with
less elevation gain or shorter mileage with more elevation gain may also fit in
this category.
Moderately Strenuous- Distances of up to 12 miles and/or 1,600 feet of
elevation gain involving less than 25% of off-trail hiking such as boulder scrambling or
bushwhacking.
Strenuous- Longer distances with elevation gain capped around 3,000
feet or shorter distances that encompass significant off-trail sections
not requiring additional safety equipment.
Very Strenuous or Extreme- Efforts that require serious conditioning on the part of
participants due to great length or elevation gain or climbing that requires
mountaineering skills.
Saturday, August 1st, Turtlehead
Peak Loop- Today's approach to this prominent peak in
Red Rock Canyon NCA follows the Limestone Trail before ascending a rocky ridge
west of the standard route to a high point, then traversing another ridge for
the final ascent to the peak. The descent will use the numerous use trails that
run through the gully. With a distance of 6 miles and 2,000 feet of elevation
gain, this hike is rated strenuous. Much of the route is off trail, scrambling
over a rocky ridgeline, and negotiating loose terrain, so hiking poles are
recommended. The group will depart from Red Rock Casino at 6:30 AM.
Coordinator- Steve Allen
Saturday, August 1st, Mary Jane
Falls- This leisurely hike will visit one of the
major drainage sites along the north ridge between Mount Charleston and Mummy
Mountain. The moderate
out-and-back trek gains 920 feet with most of it in a section of twelve
switchbacks. Total distance is 3 miles. Departure for this group from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30
AM. Coordinator-
Lorraine Stalians
Sunday, August 2nd, Goat Bed Peak-
Located in the La Madre Wilderness Area just north of the Calico Basin
this peak (4,960 feet) gets its name from the Big Horn Sheep that make this
home. Elevation gain is about 1,400 feet over a distance of 4 miles. With areas
of Class 2 and Class 3 scrambling this loop hike has a moderately strenuous rating.
Departure is from the gravel parking area on Sandstone Drive in the Calico
Basin at 6:30 AM. Coordinator- Steve Allen
Sunday, August 2nd, Cathedral
Rock and Manhole Cover- This is a moderate hike of about 4 miles that
will be done at a moderate pace. Elevation gain is about 1,400 feet. The group will
depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM.
Coordinator- Lettie Gutierrez
Monday, August 3rd, Calico Hills- An early start for this moderate 6 mile out-and-back hike means you should
be able to get home by mid-morning and get at all those chores you put off while
hiking. The route for this
hike stretches between the Red Rock fee booth and Sandstone Quarry, resulting
in a gross elevation gain around 1,000 feet. Meet the group at Red Rock Casino for a 6:00 AM departure or be at
the fee booth parking lot for a hike start at 6:15 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
Tuesday, August 4th, Fletcher
Peak via Wild Horse- We will ascend Wild Horse Ridge to Fletcher Peak (10,319’). Return route will
be via Wild Horse Canyon. Distance is
close to 8 miles. Total elevation gain
is about 2,200 feet and the hike carries a moderately strenuous rating. The group will
depart from Santa Fe Station for this hike at 7:00 AM. Coordinator- Michael O’Connor
Tuesday, August 4th, White Rock Hills Loop- Another early
morning hike in the Red Rock Canyon area will take us around the two cream
colored peaks at the north end of the canyon. Starting from Willow Springs the group will proceed in a
counter clockwise direction to get the desert part of the hike out of the way
before temperatures become too hot. The scenic back side of the hike should provide a little shade. Elevation gain is around 900 feet on this moderate loop
hike a bit over 6 miles. Meet at Red Rock Casino for a 5:45 AM departure. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
Wednesday, August 5th, Trail
Canyon to Cockscomb Ridge- This 5 - 6 mile hike gains 1,800 feet in
elevation and is rated moderately strenuous. The pace up to the saddle will be
fitness level. That means that hikers will be allowed to proceed at their
non-stop pace. We will regroup at the saddle and then proceed to the base of
Cockscomb Peak. There is some trail exposure on the ridge. Departure from Santa
Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM. Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez
Wednesday, August 5th, Deer Creek- This out-and-back hike that starts from the Deer Creek Picnic Area parking
lot, proceeds through the picnic area, and follows a gravel road servicing a
number of private homes on the slopes below Mummy's Tummy. The hike is about 3 miles in total distance with around 800
feet of elevation gain. The turn around point is at a saddle on a ridge providing really nice
views in several directions. It probably needs to be rated as moderate because there are steep sections
both on the blacktop through the picnic area and on the gravel road, which can
also have somewhat loose conditions on the road surface. Pace will be slow,
as I'd like to keep stops to a minimum. But, I'd like the group to hike as a
group (I have radios and we can designate a "sweep”). Group departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM. Coordinator- Pam Washington
Thursday, August 6th, ATBF Canyon Loop- During the June
outing to Angel Peak we discovered a beautiful canyon that showed little
evidence of human pursuit, so we named it AtBF Canyon (aren't we creative). This exploratory hike will repeat the first part of
that trek but will turn west toward the top of the canyon and hopefully climb to the ridge
above a horse trough for a descent in Telephone Canyon. Expect about 8 or 9 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation
gain. Also expect lots
of scrambling, climbing, and bushwhacking, which will result in a strenuous
rating. Long pants are
recommended. Meet at Santa Fe
Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
Friday, August 7th, Sawmill Hike
and Lunch- All levels of hikers are welcome and I am hoping to be able
to have other coordinators in the fast and leisurely group. That way groups can
do 3, 4 or 5 miles. I report back to work on the 10th so would like to see as
many club members as possible. This is a 4 or 5 mile hike with 800 feet of
elevation. This is a well defined trail and ends at the easternmost ridge. We
will do an out and back and have lunch back at the cars. There are tables but you can bring chairs.
Bring your own food. Meet at 8:00 AM
at the Santa Fe Station. Coordinator-
Lettie Gutierrez
Saturday, August 8th, Raintree & Wild Horse Ridge- One of the standard hikes for any
group in the Las Vegas area is the hike up North Loop Trail to a 3,000 year old
bristlecone pine in the shadow of Mummy's Toe. This hike will add a different flavor as we will make the
descent and the return to the vehicles along a beautiful ridge with expanded
views to the east that lies above a canyon in which a single wild horse used to
live. This is a
moderately strenuous hike between 6 and 7 miles with about 1,600 feet of
vertical elevation gain. Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
Saturday, August 8th, Trail
Canyon- The pace for this moderately strenuous
out-and-back hike to the saddle will be slow with many stops, but some people
may think it is a bit more because of the climb rate. A break will be taken at the highpoint on the logs at the
junction with North Loop Trail.
Elevation gain is 1,800 feet over 4.2 miles. Even though it is moderately strenuous, it is
a beautiful trail. I am starting earlier
due to parking and weather concerns.
Plan on no more than 3.5 hours to complete the hike. Departure from
Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM. Coordinator- Lettie Gutierrez
Sunday, August 9th, Red Spring- Most of the route
for this moderate 4-5 mile out-and-back hike will be in the shade as the group
will start from Red Spring and go around the south end of the Calico Hills to
the Calico II Overlook utilizing the canyon between the sandstone hills and the
scenic drive as much as possible. Elevation gain is about 400 feet and should take about 3
hours. Those planning on carpooling from Red Rock Casino should leave the
assembly point at 5:30 AM to meet the coordinator and any other participants at the
Red Spring picnic area for a 5:45 AM start to the hike. If the gate to the picnic area is not open you can park just outside along
the road. Coordinator- David Hardy
Sunday, August 9th, Bonanza Trail via No Name- This moderately strenuous,
out-and-back fitness hike covers a distance of 7 miles. Hikers will proceed at their non-stop pace up
to the saddle of No Name. After regrouping at the saddle, the hike will proceed to the junction of Bonanza. We
will then hike along Bonanza Trail no more than 2 miles and take our break on
the rocks by the South Sister Saddle turn. Retracing our steps, we will then return to the cars. Departure from
Santa Fe Station will be at 7:30 AM. Coordinator- Lettie Gutierrez
Monday, August 10th, Kraft Mountain Loop- The route for this
moderately strenuous 4 mile loop hike will follow the trail up Five Stop Hill
and descend into Lower Gateway Canyon for a trip around the mountain. In the heart of the canyon scrambling is required for about one mile with
a few significant impediments that require some work to get around. After exiting the canyon the group will pass a boulder
field popular with free climbers on the south side of the mountain. Departure from Red Rock Casino will be at 6:00 AM or meet at the far gravel parking area on Sandstone Drive
in the Calico Basin at 6:15 AM. Coordinator- Michel Lemay
Tuesday, August 11th, Fletcher
Canyon & Eagle's Nest Loop- This hike will combine
two trails on the north side of Kyle Canyon. Starting from the regular trailhead close to the 7,000 foot elevation mark
the group will start on the Fletcher Trail and divert onto a couple mile loop to the east below
the base of Fletcher Peak. After rejoining the Fletcher Trail we will head up into the slot canyon,
take our break below Obstacle Rock, then return to the starting point. Distance is 6 miles for this moderate hike with less than
1,000 feet of elevation gain. Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:00 AM. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
Wednesday, August 12th, Upper Lost Creek Waterfall- Most of this
out-and-back group hike of 4 to 5 miles follows relatively easy trails, but the
climb through the cliffs to the waterfall elevates the overall rating to
moderately strenuous. There will be some Class 2 and easy Class 3 exposure. We will take a moderate pace. The group
will meet at Red Rock Casino for a 6:00 AM departure. Coordinator- Tony Fountain
Wednesday, August 12th, North
Loop Meadows- A moderate
3.2-mile out-and-back trek along the North Loop Trail from Deer Creek Road. There is 900 feet
of elevation gain getting to the open area on the ridge halfway to Raintree. The meadow
provides an excellent spot for an unobstructed view of the full length of Mummy Mountain. Pace will be slow,
as I'd like to keep stops to a minimum. But, I'd like the group to hike as a
group (I have radios and we can designate a "sweep”). Meet the other hike participants at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator- Pam Washington
Thursday, August 13th, Fletcher Peak- Heading up the North Loop Trail from Deer Creek Road starts this strenuous
7-mile out-and-back trek to the top of the easternmost peak above Kyle Canyon. Before getting to Raintree, we will divert onto a steeper
trail that leads to the peak. Elevation gain is close to 2,000 feet and there is some scrambling
involved. The group will
depart from Santa Fe Station at 7:30 AM. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
Friday, August 14th, Extended
Calico Moenkopi Loop- This hike entails a combo package of trails that should provide a total
distance of about 5 miles and have a moderate rating. It will start from the Red Rock Visitor Center, use the
connector trail over to Calico I, take the old trail over to the snack break
just beyond Calico II, then follow the new trail back to Calico I and finish on the Moenkopi
Trail. Elevation gain may
be around 500 feet with a moderate rating. Join the group at Red Rock Casino for a 6:15 AM departure or be at
the visitor center for a 6:30 AM start of hike. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
Saturday, August 15th, Lower Mud
Springs Loop- This will be an exploratory hike which will
connect both sides of the lower portion of the larger Mud Springs Loop. We will
park on Mack's Canyon Road just past the Sisters Spur Road and make our way
down to the nice Mud Springs Trail. The hike will travel in a CCW direction
passing by Mud Springs for our snack break. There is quite a bit of undulation
along the trail so our 9 to 10 miles will have around 2500 feet of gross
elevation gain. Meet at the Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Coordinator- Kay Blackwell
Saturday, August 15th, Telephone
Canyon Top to Bottom- Last time
this easy to moderate hike was scheduled it had to be changed because of road
construction on Highway 158. So here is your chance to do a point-to-point hike from Robber's Roost that goes
downhill the entire way, a net elevation change of 1,000 feet. Most of the hike follows shaded trails into and through the canyon that
has a storied past back to the 1920's. A car shuttle is required. Meet at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey
Sunday, August 16th, Blue
Diamond Ridges- This moderate
early morning hike will take place on the hill across from the Red Rock Canyon
entrance. The loop route will cover a
distance up to 7 miles and involve an elevation gain close to 1,500 feet. Temperature increases during the morning may
cause the route to get shortened a bit if it becomes necessary. Participants can carpool from Red Rock
Casino, leaving there at 5:30 AM or drive directly to the Cowboy Stables
along Highway 159 for a 5:45 AM start of the hike. Coordinator- David Hardy.
August 16th, North Loop /
Raintree / Fletcher Canyon- This is a
strenuous hike that will be done at a moderately strenuous pace. We will be
waiting for stragglers only 3 or 4 times. The 7.5 mile hike has 2,100 feet of
ascent and 3,000 feet of descent. Expect around 5 hours for the hike. Meet at
the Santa Fe Station by 7:30AM. Coordinator- Kay Blackwell
Monday, August 17th, Dragon Ridge Traverse- Departing from the
gravel parking area at the end of Sandstone Drive this strenuous hike ascends
Five-Stop Hill to the saddle where the route then takes us to the high point on
the steep limestone slope, traverses the ridge and descends into Ash Canyon for
a return to the trailhead. With areas of
loose rock on the steep slopes, hiking poles are recommended. There are areas of Class 3 exposure on the
ridge traverse. Meet at the far gravel
parking area off Sandstone Drive in the Calico Basin for a 6:30 AM departure. Coordinator- Steve Allen
Monday, August 17th, Bristlecone
Loop- The standard loop
hike at the top of Lee Canyon is rated moderate and covers a distance of 6
miles and gains around 800 feet of elevation. For this hike we will be parking in the lower trailhead lot
and proceeding in a counter clockwise direction, making the descent through the
woods and passing the ski resort. This moderately paced hike should take about 3 hours. Meet at the Santa
Fe Station by 7:30AM. Coordinator- John Stewart
August 18th, Mummy Springs /
Raintree- Starting at Cougar Ridge Road climbing to the
old cabins, the route then makes a steep ascent on the ridge line to Mummy
Springs. Over to Raintree at just under 10,000’ feet then descend Wild Horse Ridge. With a distance of 5 miles and an elevation gain of 1,700
feet this hike is rated strenuous. Meet at the Santa Fe Station by 7:00 AM. Coordinator- Michael O’Connor
Tuesday, August 18th, Easy
Tuesday Stanley B Springs- This leisurely
out-and-back trek in a side canyon off Kyle Canyon will cover a distance of about 3 miles and visit
the site of an old mining claim. On a large tree at the branching of a drainage is the sign that proclaims
ownership of the mine, with the shafts just above in the right fork that requires
some scrambling to reach. A spring currently exits from the lower shaft, which is always full of
water. Otherwise, the
entire hike is on trail with an elevation gain of 900 feet and a rating of easy
to moderate. The group will depart
at 8:00 AM from Santa Fe Station. Coordinator- Roger Hembree
Wednesday, August 19th, Showgirl
Trail Top to Bottom- This moderate point-to-point hike involves one of the new trails recently
established by the Forest Service in the lower part of Kyle Canyon. From where we will start the hike and where we are supposed
to access the new trail, it appears that our hiking distance will be around 6 or
more miles. Again, this hike should proceed
downhill almost the entire way and come out by Kyle Canyon Road east of the
entrance to Telephone Canyon. Car shuttling will again be involved. Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:30 AM. Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.
Thursday, August 20th, Sisters
Transverse- A unique and scenic closed loop from Old Mill
Trailhead to the South Sister, then North Sister. This route with 2,500 feet of net elevation
gain and a distance of 6 miles carries a strenuous rating. Poles are highly advised
for the final descent on very steep, loose slopes. There are areas of very exposed Class 3
terrain. Meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30
AM departure. Coordinator- Ed Forkos
Thursday, August 20th, Pinion Pine Loop- Let's explore another new trail in the Spring Mountains
system that now shows up on the Forest Service hiking map. This one is on the north side of Lee Canyon Road east of
Mud Springs. The new pamphlet
indicates the distance at 5.6 miles, but access to the trail involves utilizing
the Sawmill Trail from the picnic and equestrian area, bringing the total
distance up to around 9 miles. Until we have hiked this area and have accessed the terrain, we will
probably have to rate this hike as moderately strenuous due to the distance. Meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:00 AM departure. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
Friday, August 21st, Escarpment
Trail- This easy to
moderate loop trail is on the south side of Kyle Canyon Wash behind the new visitor center and covers a
distance of 4 miles. There is probably 400 or 500 feet of elevation gain as the trail dips into
the wash and then climbs above the cliffs on the south side using a combination
of cart path from the old golf course and new dirt trail. Views of this section of the Spring Mountains are pretty
spectacular from the top. Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM. Coordinator- Chris Dempsey.
August 22nd, Shady Hollow/Step Ladder Loop (short version)- At just under 4 miles, this leisurely
loop hike will gain around 1000 feet in elevation. Bring sun hats so that we can enjoy the wide
open views. Meet at the Santa Fe Station at 8:00AM (note the unusual
start time). Coordinator- Kay Blackwell
Sunday, August 23rd, South
Sister Saddle Loop via Lower Bristlecone Trail- This will be a moderately strenuous hike executed at a
moderate pace. It is 7.5 miles with 2200 feet of elevation gain. The hike will
begin at the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead, climb up the road to the Bonanza
Trail junction, then hike up the Bonanza Trail. Upon reaching the ridge trail
junction, we will turn right and head down the ridge to the South Sister
Saddle. From there, we descend back to the cars. Departure from the Santa Fe
will be at 8:00 AM. Coordinator- Dennis Rohne
Monday, August 24th, Big Falls Overlook-
This strenuous out-and-back hike utilizes Trail Canyon to access North Loop Trail, then
turns left heading toward Mount Charleston. A broad ledge a
couple thousand feet above the floor of Kyle Canyon provides a dramatic view of Big
Falls and the folded strata that make up much of the south ridge leading to
Charleston. The interpretive
sign at this spot might still be there. Total distance of the hike is around 9 miles. The pace will be fairly
quick with one rest break at the Trail Canyon saddle. The other rest stop (and
snack time) will be at the turn-around point: the overlook itself. Some hikers may opt to take another rest break on the
return segment at the saddle again. The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station
for a 7:00 AM departure. Coordinator- Stephen Newell
Tuesday, August 25th, Fletcher Peak via Hummingbird Gulch- The pace will be steady as we
ascend to the top of Hummingbird Gulch at the saddle between North Loop Trail
and Fletcher Peak. With the intensity of the scrambling, the constant scree, the downed logs,
and the thick brush, the remaining stretch to the top of the peak seems mild. This 7 mile hike with 2,560 feet of elevation gain is rated
strenuous. Hiking poles are recommended.
Departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 7:00 AM. Coordinator-Steve Anderson
Tuesday, August 25th, Easy
Tuesday Fletcher Canyon- This leisurely offering will find the
group trekking into a fantastic slot canyon on the north side of Kyle Canyon
Road. The easy to
moderate out-and-back hike covers a total distance of 4 miles with an elevation
gain of 500 feet. Participants should
gather at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator- Roger Hembree
Wednesday, August 26th, Keystone
Thrust Loop- This
moderate loop hike at a leisurely pace covers 3.5 miles with about 700 feet of
elevation gain. Starting from the parking lot just past milepost 6 on the scenic loop
road, the trail starts with a moderate climb to Cactus Hill, then turns east
and descends into the Keystone Canyon Overlook.
Keystone Thrust Fault is one of the only places on earth where you can
see two exposed tectonic plates with the limestone, which forms the crown of
Cactus Hill, sitting directly on top of sandstone that is some 400 million
years younger. The hike then descends through a wash with some minor scrambling
to complete the loop. The group will depart at 6:00 AM from Red Rock
Casino. Coordinator- Tony Fountain
Wednesday, August 26th, Eagle’s Nest Trail- This easy leisurely
paced 3- mile partial loop hike starts at the Fletcher Canyon trailhead. After
about 0.4 mile, the trail forks off to the right to climb a short, steep
incline. The rest of the trail is a grade with a total of about 500 ft. of
elevation gain and grand views up and down Kyle Canyon. Pace will be slow,
as I'd like to keep stops to a minimum. But, I'd like the group to hike as a
group (I have radios and we can designate a "sweep”). Group departure from Santa Fe Station will be at 8:30 AM. Coordinator- Pam Washington
Thursday, August 27th, North
/Black /Step Sister- This hike will
begin in Lee Canyon along the road. We will hike up to the ridge that is northeast of the North
Sister and then climb the steep and slippery slope to the North Sister. After a
break, we will then descend back to the ridge and traverse to the Black Sister.
From there we begin the exploratory portion of the hike and continue by
descending from the Black Sister and then climbing another ridge heading to the
northeast to a high point that I will call the Step Sister for the lack of any
other name. In case you haven’t guessed, there is a geocache there. From the Step
Sister we will descend back to the road via the best route we can find and then
go along the road to the start point. This will be about a 5 mile hike with at least 1,800 feet
of elevation gain to the North Sister. This should be a very strenuous hike and due to the
exploratory nature of part of the hike we will need to stay together as a
group, thus the pace will be adjusted to keep everyone together. We will meet at
the Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM. Coordinator-
Paul Eckhart
August 27th, Big Falls / Mary Jane Falls- This is a moderately strenuous hike that will be done at
a moderate pace keeping the group together at all times. Keep in mind that the climb up the old Mary
Jane Falls trail is steep and long. The hike is only 4.5 miles but it has a
total of 1,700 feet of elevation gain within two separate ascents. Meet at the Santa Fe Station by 8:00AM. Coordinator- Kay Blackwell
Friday, August 28th, Circle
Gypsum Hill- Utilizing a new trail just below Blue Diamond,
the route takes us through a dense stand of cottonwoods, emerges into the open
and continues around the hill and back to Blue Diamond. This 4 mile trek with
an elevation gain of 200 feet is rated easy to moderate. The main assembly
point will be the gravel parking lot on the right side of the entrance road to
the community of Blue Diamond just past the bridge at 6:00 AM. Those
carpooling from Red Rock Casino should depart by 5:35 AM. Coordinator-
David Hardy
Saturday, August 29th, Upper Mud
Springs Loop- This will be another exploratory which will
connect both sides of the upper portion of the larger Mud Springs Loop. Our
trailhead will be the Sawmill picnic parking. The loop will travel in a CW
direction. This 9 to 10 mile hike will have a gross elevation gain of around
2,000 feet. Meet at the Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure. Coordinator- Kay Blackwell
Sunday, August 30th, Canyon 4B- Avoiding the heat
of the day will be one of the main objectives for this short out-and-back hike
into a canyon on the south end of Blue Diamond Hill. The hike is about 3 or 4 miles but does involve a
considerable amount of scrambling in the upper section that would
potentially cause it to have a moderately strenuous rating. Anyone carpooling from Red Rock Casino should leave at 5:35 AM for the main
assembly point, which will be at a gravel parking lot on the right side of the entrance
road to the community of Blue Diamond just past the bridge. Starting time for the hike will be 6:00 AM and south side participants can drive straight to the main
location. Coordinator- David Hardy
Sunday, August 30th, Hawaii
Excursion- Coordinator- Chris Dempsey
Monday, August 31st, Kraft Mountain Loop- The route for this
4 mile loop hike will follow the trail up Five Stop Hill and descent into Lower
Gateway Canyon for a trip around the mountain. In the heart of
the canyon scrambling is required for about one mile with a few significant
impediments that require some work to get around. After exiting the canyon the group will pass a boulder
field popular with free climbers on the south side of the mountain. The pace will be
moderate. Departure from Red Rock Casino
will be at 6:45 AM or meet at the far
gravel parking area at the end Sandstone Drive in the Calico Basin at 7:00
AM. Coordinator- Jackie Cupp
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