August 2017 Hike List

The August hike schedule includes hikes in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the Spring Mountains. Meeting locations for hikes in any other areas will be specified in the hike description. You can locate detailed information on these locations at the ATBF blog and in a file at the Yahoo group website. Also, the exposure information is now located on the blog.

IMPORTANT NOTE - 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.

Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.

Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities. Participants can find additional descriptions about hikes on the blog by clicking on the Updated Hike Descriptions link and/or Jim Boone’s Bird and Hike link. Members should also contact the coordinator if they have any concerns or questions about the hike.  As two of our prime considerations on any hike are safety and enjoyment, it is important that each participant have the capability of completing any advertised hike at the pace published by the coordinator.

It is the responsibility of new members to prove their hiking ability, therefore, hikers new to our club must begin with one of the easy or easy to moderate hikes offered on the monthly schedule. After they have gained sufficient experience, have been able to assess their abilities relative to the group, and have had a chance to interact with our coordinators, they will be free to start moving up to more difficult hikes. New hikers who are guests of existing members may initially participate in other than leisurely hikes, but must be accompanied by the existing member who will take responsibility for their safety if the situation demands.

Hike coordinators will have the right to reject any hiker, whether new to the club or an existing member, if they believe that such person’s participation would infringe on the ability of the group to conduct the hike as advertised or if overall safety becomes an issue.

Questions regarding general information should be directed to Lettie Gutierrez at chico04@msn.com or by telephone at (702)498-3050. Specific questions regarding hikes should be directed to the listed coordinator. Refer to the club roster for contact information.

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 to 700 feet of elevation gain with the potential for some minor trail irregularities.

Moderate- Hikes that generally have a maximum distance of 7 miles with 800 to 1000 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 2000 to 2400 feet of elevation gain involving less than 25 % of off-trail hiking such as boulder scrambling or bushwhacking.

Strenuous- Longer distances with elevation gain of 2500 to 3000 feet or shorter distances that encompass significant off-trail sections not requiring additional safety equipment.

Tuesday August 1^st, Mummy's Toe via Trail Canyon – This strenuous hike is approximately 8 miles with 3000 feet of elevation gain.  Be at the Santa Fe for a 7:00 AM departure. Coordinator – Tim Borem

Wednesday, August 2^nd, Moenkopi Loop – This easy hike in Red Rock begins at the Visitor Center. The trail is currently accessed by going west in front of the new building through a small picnic area. Total distance is about 3 miles with less than 200 feet of elevation gain. Depart the Red Rock at 7:30AM. Coordinator – Richard Hansen

Thursday, August 3rd, Griffith Loop - Griffith Loop is a route that enters into the burned area and, at this time, is unknown as to whether the trail can be hiked down through Rainbow. If it cannot be hiked, we will do a similar hike on this day. The Griffith Loop is a strenuous loop of 10 miles with around 3500 feet of elevation gain. If we are allowed to hike this area, it will be an exploratory. The route will be done going up the South Loop, around Griffith Peak and down through Rainbow Canyon. Wear long pants and expect bushwhacking. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 7:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Friday, August 4^th, Blue Diamond Ridges - This early morning hike on the hill across from Red Rock Canyon will cover a distance up to 7 miles starting from the Cowboy Stables parking lot along Highway 159.  How much the group does will be determined by the temperature increases during the morning.  If it stays somewhat cool the destination will be the Las Vegas Overlook.  Rating should be moderate or a bit more.  Participants will gather at Red Rock Casino and leave for the stables at 5:30 AM.  The coordinator will meet them at the stables for a 5:45 AM start to the hike. Coordinator - David Hardy

Saturday, August 5^th, Escarpment/Acastus/Eagle’s Nest Balloon – This moderate hike starts at the Spring Mountain Visitor Center and combines the Escarpment, Acastus, and Eagle’s Nest trails. Pacing will be on moderate. Be prepared for exploration and possibly some bush whacking once we leave Eagle’s Nest as we scout out the route back to the highway and then the Acastus trail. Distance should be 6-7 miles with no more than 1000 feet of elevation. Depart the Santa Fe at 7:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Sunday, August 6th, Deer Creek / Meadows Loop - This is a 5 mile moderately strenuous loop with 1350 feet of gain that begins at the Deer Creek Picnic Area parking lot. We will pass behind the Mahogany Grove Picnic Area and go through the CCC informational signs following the Old Deer Creek Road route. The route brings us to a shortcut up to the North Loop Trail. After climbing this trail to the meadows, we will descend Wild Horse Ridge and wind our way through the Deer Creek Picnic Area for the return to the cars. Pace will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 7:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Tuesday August 8^th, McFarland Peak - This hike will be completed from Upper Bristlecone to No Name and then the Bonanza Trail. After hiking out about 6 miles, we will attempt to locate the route that goes to the Peak. This hike will require some route finding and with luck we will find the route to the Peak.  If we discover the route, the hike will be approximately 14 miles and is rated very strenuous with scrambling and will take a good portion of the day. Elevation gain will be 3000+ feet. We depart the Santa Fe at 7:00AM. Coordinator – Tim Borem

Wednesday, August 9^th, Barren Ridge Loop O&B – This exploratory 7-9 mile hike with an estimated 1700 feet of elevation is rated moderately strenuous/strenuous. Our destination is a mostly bare rocky knoll that sits in the middle of a valley that is surrounded by the high ridge of the Bonanza Trail, McFarland Peak, Mack’s Peak, and the backside of the South Sister. The route begins by utilizing Lower Bristlecone to South Sister trail to the saddle area of Phase II. From there, we’ll take a game/horse trail that travels north, northeast. Once at the ridge, we'll weigh our options to follow the trail at the opposite end that descends to the valley floor. We depart the Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Thursday, August 10th, McFarland Approach - This version of the approach reaches the big log shelter on the ridge at the base of McFarland Peak for its turnaround point. The strenuous hike is 10 miles with 2400 feet of elevation gain. Pace will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 7:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Friday, August 11^th, Robbers Roost/Trough Trail/Telephone Canyon Loop - A winding trail trek through the scrub pines in the “north” area of Deer Creek off of Hwy 158. Moderate hike with a possible steep climb. Distance 3.5 miles, elevation gain of 1,300 feet. Great views. Depart Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray-

Saturday, August 12^th, Deer Creek – We will park at the Deer Creek Campground and hike along Deer Creek to an overlook where we will take our break before returning to the cars.  We may hit 3 miles if we "stretch it out." Elevation gain is 700 feet.  Meet at the Santa Fe at 8:30AM. Coordinator – Kathy Kazi

Saturday, August 12th, Nuclear Loop - This hike has only been done as an exploratory 2 years ago when we ended up going out of our way and bushwhacking some messy stuff. The hike will be pared down to exclude these obstacles! Plan on a moderately strenuous / strenuous hike with a lot of bushwhacking. Fun in the forest! 5 miles and around 1200 feet of elevation gain. Pace will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 7:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Sunday, August 13^th, Red Springs - Most of the route for this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike will be in the shade as the group will start from Red Springs and go around the south end of the Calico Hills as far as Calico II Overlook utilizing the canyon between the sandstone hills and the scenic drive as much as possible.  The coordinator will be at Red Springs Picnic Area for a 6:00 AM start of the hike.  If anyone plans to carpool from Red Rock Casino they should leave that assembly point at 5:45 AM.  If the gate to the picnic area is not open, park just outside along the road. Coordinator - David Hardy

Sunday, August 13^th, Raintree/Wild Horse Ridge – This moderately strenuous hike is 7 miles with 2400 feet of elevation gain. Pacing will accommodate moderate and above. We will park at the Cougar Ridge Road turnout and then hike a spur trail to the North Loop. Then it’s up North Loop to Raintree. When we get back to the meadow, we will take Wild Horse Ridge. Meet at the Santa Fe for a 7:00AM departure. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Monday, August 14^th, Upper Fletcher Canyon via Obstacle Rock OB- We’ll meet at Santa Fe Casino and depart at 7:00 AM. The moderately strenuous/strenuous hike will take us through some of the most beautiful areas in the canyon. After climbing up Obstacle Rock, we hike about 1.5 miles to the spring that flows from a rocky ridge near the “Big Rock” that marks the start of the upper canyon region. This is where we take our break and also is where we turnaround. Total distance will be about 6-7 miles with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet. Coordinator- David Gray

Tuesday, August 15^th, Mummy’s Nose (10,748’) – We will start at the large, construction pull-out on SR #156 just past the turn off to SR #158.  This hike is about five miles, but with 2800 feet of elevation gain over rugged and at times loose terrain.  There is also a class 3 final approach to the peak.  We may return via the class 3 optional descent off the peak area.  This hike is rated as strenuous.  We will depart from the Santa Fe at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Paul Eckhart

Wednesday, August 16^th,  Early morning hike in Red Rock Canyon area - The actual hike will be determined by the interest of the assembled group, but be in the ‘easy to moderate’ to ‘moderately strenuous’ range, 4 to 5 miles, with some scrambling possible. We will depart from the Red Rock Casino Parking lot at 6:00AM. Coordinator - Tony Fountain

Thursday, August 17th, South Sister - This strenuous traditional climb up to our favorite sister is 5 miles with about 2000 feet of elevation gain. The final peak ascent is tough scree. Be prepared! Pace will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for an 8:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Friday, August 18^th, Bristlecone /No Name / Pine Cone Canyon / Loop- A moderate strenuous trek through the great ageless forest starting at the Lower Bristlecone to Upper Bristlecone, then it’s up No Name and onto the Bonanza Trail. Loop develops with the return by descending Pine Cone Canyon back to the Lower Bristlecone. Distance is 8 miles. Elevation gain 1,500 feet. Depart the Santa Fe Station at 7:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Saturday, August 19^th, Cathedral Rock – Today’s out and back hike is rated easy moderate. Distance is 3 miles with 950 feet of elevation. Meet at the Santa Fe for a 7:30AM departure. The trailhead is the South Loop Picnic parking lot.  Coordinator – Richard Hansen

Saturday, August 19^th, Griffith Peak – Today’s strenuous, out and back hike is 10 miles with 3400 feet of elevation gain. Pacing will be moderate and we will take short breaks as we climb up past the 3 overlooks to the saddle. After another short break, it’s upward to the peak. We will depart the Santa Fe at 6:00AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Sunday, August 20^th, Charleston Peak via the South Loop - We’re O&B on this strenuous trek with a moderate, balanced pace given the terrain coming and going. Distance is 17 miles. Elevation gain is just less than 4,300 feet. Depart the Santa Fe by 4:00 AM or meet at the Cathedral Rock parking lot at 5:00AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Sunday, August 20^th, Cockscomb Ridge – Another trek up Trail Canyon takes us to a beautiful ridge to the base of Cockscomb Peak. As it nears the comb, sections of the trail are very steep and there is some rock scrambling at the end. This is a moderately strenuous hike of 5-6 miles and gains 1600 feet of elevation. Pacing will be moderate. Depart the Santa Fe at 7:00AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Tuesday, August 22^nd, Devil’s Thumb – This hike begins on Trail Canyon and then turns onto the North Loop trail. At 13 miles and 3200 feet of elevation gain, it’s a strenuous hike. We depart the Santa Fe at 6:30AM. Coordinator – Richard Hansen

Wednesday, August 23^rd, Mummy Springs Loop – This is a moderately strenuous point to point hike. It starts on North Loop trailhead and proceeds clockwise to end on Cougar Ridge trailhead. The decent down Deer Creek Ridge is steep but beautiful. Depart Santa Fe Station at 7:00AM. Coordinator – Tony Fountain

Thursday, August 24th, Fletcher Peak (Up Wild Horse Ridge/Down Wild Horse Canyon) - Wild Horse Ridge is tougher than it looks for an ascent! This will be a strenuous hike of 7 miles with 2300 feet of gain with the turnaround point being the small and friendly Fletcher Peak. Pace will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for an 8:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Friday, August 25^th, Early AM Red Rock Hike - The actual hike will be determined by the interest of the assembled group, but be in the ‘easy to moderate’ to ‘moderately strenuous’ range, 4 to 5 miles, with some scrambling possible. We will depart from the Red Rock Casino Parking lot at 6:00AM. Coordinator – Jackie Cupp

Saturday, August 26^th, Lower Bristlecone OB – This easy hike walks up the forest road known as Lower Bristlecone. The hike has open views of the peaks in the vicinity of Lee Canyon. We will hike up 2 miles to an overlook above the campground. After our break, it’s back to the cars. Total distance is 4 miles and elevation gain is about 600 feet. Depart the Santa Fe at 7:30AM. Coordinator – Richard Hansen

Saturday, August 26th, South Sister Saddle via Pine Cone Canyon - Another climb up that steep bugger of a canyon will be a strenuous loop of 5 miles with around 1700 feet of elevation gain. After Pine Cone Canyon, we will take the Bonanza Trail out to the ridge that will connect us to the saddle serving South Sister. Pace will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for an 8:00am departure. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell

Sunday, August 27^th, Red Springs - Most of the route for this moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike will be in the shade as the group will start from Red Springs and go around the south end of the Calico Hills as far as Calico II Overlook utilizing the canyon between the sandstone hills and the scenic drive as much as possible.  The coordinator will be at Red Springs Picnic Area for a 6 AM start of the hike. If the picnic area is not open, park just outside along the road. Coordinator - David Hardy

Sunday, August 27^th, Cave Springs OB – This moderately strenuous hike climbs Trail Canyon and then North Loop to the horse trough that is fed by the Cave Springs. It is about 6 miles with 1600 feet of elevation gain. Pacing will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe for a 7:00AM departure. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Monday, August 28^th, Hummingbird Gulch Spring Overlook via the North Loop Trail O&B - It’s a new approach to a traditional route that avoids the steep loose rock climb up through the gulch. The moderately strenuous hike is estimated to be 6.4 miles with an elevation change of 1,800 feet. We’ll take our break at the spring overlook area of the gulch in the deep woods well below Fletcher Peak. We will depart Santa Fe Station by 7:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Tuesday, August 29th, 5 Mile Campsite - Keeping our training fine-tuned, we will climb up Trail Canyon and out the North Loop to a large campsite regularly used by backpackers who are climbing Charlie. This is a strenuous hike of 10 miles and 2900 feet of elevation gain. Pace will be moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe Casino for a 7:00amdeparture. Coordinator - Kay Blackwell
 

Thursday, August 31th, Blue Diamond Canyon 4B - Avoiding the heat of the day will be one of the main objectives for this short hike into a first canyon on the south end of Blue Diamond Hill.  It's not a long hike at around 3 - 4 miles but it does involve a considerable amount of scrambling in the upper section, resulting in an overall rating of moderate.  There is a good chance of seeing owls in the canyon. The return will be back the same way.  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.  Starting time for the hike will be at 6:10 AM so participants carpooling from Red Rock Casino will have to leave at 5:45 AM. Coordinator - David Hardy